So it is possible for Wales to have a bad station!

[@JenOnTheMove]

How to satisfy people when pronouncing station names... include all pronunciations I can think of 🤣

[@alwillcox]

Your pronunciation of Minffordd wasn't terrible. The main point is that dd is always pronounced as the th in this and that, never as in thick and thin. (For that we use th). Then if you want to be really accurate, the o is short (as in hot) and the r is pronounced - think of the way American English hits the r, rather than the way most British English accents absorb it into the preceding vowel.

[@stanley3647]

FF pronounce as F (in fail) - [but, if single F - as V (in Victoria)] DD - as th (they)... (but i hear some people say this as D - maybe regional thing?) ... So Minffordd should be pronounce as Min (like minimum) Forth (defence structure) = [minforth] I'm not native Cymru, but trying to learn Welsh with mixed results ;)

[@William82Roberts]

Abererch was a little difficult to understand from a native Welsh speaker here.

[@Thornaby37]

Totally agree that a two coach 158 is completely inadequate during the summer holiday season. Back in the days of British Rail, they used to run 8/9/10 coach trains from London to Pwllheli and Aberystwyth on summer Saturdays (I think 1992 was the last year they ran)

[@stanley3647]

There was a test run of Class 197 (4 car set) this year. Usually in Machynlleth 2 trains, 2 cars each (from Pwllheli and Aberystwych) joins together to 4 car set, and follow to Birmingham. If is enough space on platforms - this maybe is a plan to make 6 car set and split into 2/4? ... But, as Northern, own by English goverment example (TfW is own by Welsh goverment), look at Leeds to Nottingham service - after introduce 195's, they started with 3 cars set, and soon after, was reduced to 2 overcrowded cars. So, I'm not optimistic :(

[@andyhill242]

Another episode of Jen on the Beach!

[@JenOnTheMove]

Gotta love a good beach!

[@RainhamRailEnthusiast]

I've been in a similar situation with a footpath, had to go back on myself due to extreme overgrowth, which cost me an hour. Some lovely stations in this video, thankyou

[@JenOnTheMove]

It just happens so much :( I'm always hesitant when planning walks on if something is even going to be passible

[@RichardWatt]

Make the trains usable. Make the train experience nicer. Make the trains affordable.

[@Sim0nTrains]

Great video Jen! Honestly I love that calm of the sea and wouldn't even give wave to wave haters lol Also love the Double Fairlie steam locomotive arriving into Minffordd as well and another great edit from Kirsty as well.

[@ReubenAshwell]

Brilliant video Jen, Minfford looks amazing with the Ffestiniog railway going over the main line station. The sound of the waves crashing truly is peaceful. :)

[@philipedwards439]

Oh Jen, if you want a bad Welsh rail station, try Wrexham Central - soul destroying!!!!

[@thetrainguy4797]

I used to see trains there, ITS SO CRAMPED ON BUSY DAYS, I hate it it’s so bad, Wrexham the city isn’t that nice aswell, Wrexham general isn’t the best either

[@garethwilliams976]

Over 70 years ago I used to holiday in Pwllheli from Manchester (direct train via Caernarfon and Afonwen). The train was packed until we reached Penychain where the Butlins campers got off. Most of them called it Penny Chain. My parents never let me go any nearer to Butlins!

[@LordRorthorn]

I remember staying at Butlins and catching the train for a day out to Pwllheli. There was only one train that stopped at Penychain in each direction per day, apart from Saturdays (Butlins changeover day). Seems it’s more frequent now at least.

[@knownothing5518]

Haha another video that would have provided an opportune moment to bring along the Whitewicks. I just love Wales! And I love public foorpaths, when they're not overgrown. Also lovely holiday pictures at the end there!

[@martinholland3938]

Hi used to work at the camp when it was Butlins. Not sure they do it now but when I worked there butlins used to send a minibus to meet the train on a intake day

[@dutchrailwayexplorer]

I once stayed at that haven Holiday Park and I just loved watching the trains go past. And you're right, the platform of Penychain isn't that easy accesible from the park. Nice to see it back in one of your videos. Keep it up!

[@andyt2510]

10:25 I agree - it would save a half mile walk around the park and down a narrow muddy track - with luggage - to get to and from the station. Park is very nice, most chalets have gone though (just the 1980's ones left) anc mostly caravans now. We enjoyed our stay there last Easter.

[@andyt2510]

PS - with a rail card from Birmingham for 2 adults and 2 children, all advance singles, from Birmingham to Aberwystwyth, Penychain, Llandudno Junction and back to Birmingham, the total cost was far lower than that price you mentioned. Also, if you don't have a rail card, and can stick with Transport for Wales, kids travel free on the train. With a Friends and Family card, pay for one child to get the adult discounts

[@RTPeat]

Theoretically landowners should keep public footpaths clear of obstructions, and local authorities have powers to go and clear obstructions and then reclaim the cost from landowners. The reality is that local authorities rarely if ever make use of those powers, resulting in numerous impassable public footpaths. It’s no better in Scotland - the OS maps don’t even show rights of way, and the right of responsible access is pretty misunderstood so I’ve known farmers to plough long standing footpaths and there is really nothing you can do about it.

[@bowlingbuddie]

Transport for Wales are only interested (Investing) in railways around Cardiff, they are not interested in the local lines of the Cambrian line and Heart of Wales line, reducing services to pay for the Cardiff services.

[@richardbutler4488]

Short trains, the new ones are very noisy and have a lot of vibration but that’s not unexpected from CAF. I suppose there isn’t much vision to significantly increase capacity but I suppose that’s why the fares can be crazy as they have limited capacity to offer to ever increasing demand on the network.

[@marcusdidius4090]

Dear Jen, Canny video as always👍 Went to that holiday camp by train in the 80's - happy days😁😊 Regards,

[@sr6424]

If you find some of the videos on ‘Beeching - Reshaping the Railways’. He actually says BR needed to get out of the seaside market! Even on a line they weren’t closing they would need to provide loads of extra infrastructure for a few Saturdays a year! Sad but true!

[@ElijahsTransport]

Great video jen! Really enjoyed watching as always!

[@arthurvasey]

That waiting shelter at Penychain station reminds me a bit of my old scout hut!

[@erinmcgrathejm4985]

Jen in her natural milieu…meditating on the beach! Just lovely. Cheers!

[@robynrox]

Glad it wasn't my local, although that also leaves much to be desired!

[@jsimmo52]

I've been swimming at Abererch beach - lovely clean water! Local knowledge advised that one of the reasons the Cambrian Line managed to survive Beeching was because of Butlins (now Havens).

[@markcf83]

Plenty of shockers in the South Wales Valleys.

[@JenOnTheMove]

I may have my eyes opened when I make it down there! BUT... I don't judge stations based on the station in isolation, I factor in things like if it's serving it's purpose, if it's a nice place to wait etc

[@MrGreatplum]

Excellent video, Jen. I really need to explore these Welsh lines. To put into context, that price for a family of 4 to take a train from Manchester is not dissimilar to the price for my family of 4 to fly from Gatwick to Barcelona in a couple of weeks!

[@nigelh4617]

Here for Jen. Also here for sea. Lovely sea. 🌊

[@leona_devon]

I thought Polsloe Bridge was your worst lol, great vid Jen

[@andywillis2650]

Good video Jen. Bang on the money about that station next to Haven site ! Just a bit of forward thinking. Hope you enjoyed your holiday ??

[@William82Roberts]

Aberech to Penychain has one Public footpath and the coastal path I walk the public footpath many times and have no issues. As for signs there have been many along here but as you see it is very exposed, in storms, high tides the signs would last minutes. As for the vegetation it's been an explosion this year. Many locals used the trains to Butlins for a cheap decent day out or holidays. It was a cracking place with a Rollercoaster and Cable cars that suffered severe flooding in the 90s and was sold sadly. The decline of the station is normal for this part of Wales.

[@JosieStripe]

"I'm on a completely coincidental narrow-gauge railway, Jen!"

[@jaybee1921]

Hi Jen, Good to see you out and about in your favourite happy place(s), Wales is definitely a lovely country to visit, especially in the coastline. Loved the clip of the steam train at Minnford, looked well turned out. Your meet up with the marathon walking man was quite a surprise. Altogether a happy vlog. Take care, Jon B. 😊

[@jacobporrett]

I've been to that camp site that you mentioned Jen. Nice it has trains but the service isn't great.

[@jameshodgetts7541]

Jen! You're back and visiting amazing places again. Only a tiny bit very jealous...

[@Andrewjg_89]

I wouldn’t say that all smaller railway stations aren’t as bad. But some do need more improvements. Still I do like the stunning view when being on the train and looking out seeing the wonderful landscape. Very nice 👍

[@SamsVlogstrainsmore]

Great vlog Jen. The beach looks stunning. Pennychain looks like it’s been neglected both by TFW and by Haven. I went to that holiday park when I was younger in a family car not by train but yeah getting the train there is not ideal anymore with only 2 carriages in the summer months and haven closing an entrance to the park and only having a car main road entrance.

[@-MapEnthusiastjj4eu]

11:43 i thought the class 158s have air conditioning

[@stanley3647]

They have AC, but most of day this is not working or overhelmed by amount of people and sunshine... I'm not sure why - some people says this is due to using different gas in system, than was in design. Many times when I using this line - in train usually was warmer than outside (in summer days).

[@thomascook578]

They do, but needs re-charged every so often, but train companies probably won't want to spend money on it

[@wharpblast264]

Jen. There is a national project to register unrecorded rights of way, to ensure public footpaths are not lost or forgotten. Not sure if this includes Wales though.

[@katashworth41]

At least you had nice weather doing it, my partner and I had the filthiest day November could produce. We only ended up doing it cos there was a cancelled strike and the only way to get home was via Shrewsbury. Which is inconvenient when you’re trying to get back to Preston.

[@Anonymoususer_8823]

Maybe there are other bad railway stations in the UK and not one or some in Wales. Unless it lacks something like hotels, park, sea, lake or something interesting to go to. Mind you the scenery is incredible.

[@DST-n7r]

As someone who works on the railway & has done for most of their adult life, it’s extremely depressing when people invested & interested in the railways are able to provide insight into what could make it much much better yet people inside the industry have little desire to change the current model. As I often say, we could and should be doing so much better. 😔

[@barbarapearce3634]

The waves sound relaxing

[@LKBRICKS1993]

Excellent really enjoyed it. I like it when your in your happy place.

[@iaina3251]

Wrexham to Bidston line. Some of the worst stations in the country. Hope, Shotton etc

[@MichaelSebastianTodd]

brilliant vlog

[@harryelliott4310]

Trains Station 🚉

[@YDysgwrAraf]

You don't have to be native-level perfect (I wouldn't expect you to pronounce Paris like a French person, after all) but I must admit that it took me most of the video to work out that you were saying Pwllheli!

[@IowaTrainGay]

OMG YAAAAASSSS! A STEAM TRAIN! Love it when Jen goes steam train! And I love me a good narrow gauge! So amazing! 🎉🎉🎉😁

[@airfoxtrot2006]

Great video Jen 😊

[@raphaelnikolaus0486]

Whait: The first train goes to "Birmingham International" - does that mean, there is an (international) airport there, as one would traditionally think, or is that station/place even on an international rail line (or at least planned international), just like the previously mentioned/visited "Ashford International" and the not even slightest international "Stratford International"?

[@dominiccottrill2387]

Have you not done the heritage railway from Porthmadog to Caenarfon?

[@QALibrary]

Jen is a right beach baby or am I getting mixed up with the song? If you like trains, stations, and beaches, you could always walk from Borth to Aberystwyth... ... but I would take/wear a one-piece swimming consume and maybe a life-saving jacket and make sure you do the walk as the tide is going out as well to give to maximum time to complete to walk via beach and rocks

[@cyrildhy8993]

Jen. 2 adults, 2 children with family railcard. £145 return, total. Buy the Railcard with £15 worth of Tesco Clubcard vouchers.

[@jamesblair18]

It could be worse, you could be stuck on a voyager or northern train 😂

[@TransportGeekery]

Did not skip! What wholesome viewing…

[@officialmcdeath]

Greggs monster spotted \m/

[@walterfillingham]

A nice relaxing video to watch after a stressful busy day at work, thank you Jen 😊 I see the class 158 are sweat boxes in Wales too, Inverness where I live is full of class 158, Inverness to Aberdeen, Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh, Inverness to Wick and Thurso, sometimes Inverness to Edinburgh or Glasgow. In summer they hot whilst in winter they are freezing cold, horrible trains

[@Rail_Focus]

As decent as 158s are they've never been known for their good air conditioning 🥵.

[@Saint_Dan132]

jen you are so lovley i am not around many transe people just me and my hustband the gays we are but you have made me understand that its nothing to bescared of and for that i will be forever greatful please dont consider me ignorant im from your fgenerationa nd you know what they are like

[@kentonfisher3190]

Pronounced Crikeith

[@thomasfy4]

I need to unsubscribe, jens videos are unnecessarily pessimistic and as uplifting as a concrete slab.

[@JenOnTheMove]

You keep saying you're going to yet you keep coming back for more 😂

[@thomasfy4]

@@JenOnTheMove it’s called feedback babe

[@jonathanpowell3769]

Sadly I couldn’t watch this after a few minutes because the camera movement made me feel queasy.