Translink Goldliner X212. The FASTEST way from Derry, Londonderry to Belfast.

[@robertalan3214]

Thanks Mark, enjoyed that video, lovely scenery, bus on time (even early 😅), peace and quiet on board, perfect 👍

[@jamescrawford9883]

Thanks Mark, great video! Hoo you are feeling better. Cheers from Oz.

[@smogontheline]

I prefer the countryside, so it depends where I am when choosing train or bus. Sometimes you see more on bus routes, going through towns and villages, whereas trains zoom past. Loved the video, Mark. Hope you are feeling better, getting sorted, and taking a well earned break. Take care mate. Andy.

[@Soundwave685]

The Goldline Express Network is absolutely fantastic. Mainland UK regions without a dense rail network but a large city should take note

[@alydamarincovich5704]

I convinced my boyfriend to drive us to Derry from Donegal to take the train toward Belfast (we ended up getting off in Coleraine and going back to Derry) partially because the coastal views are insane (like the train is right against the water) and also because Donegal doesn't have any trains and so he hasn't really taken many train journeys in his life and I love trains and taking train journeys and am lucky enough to be from Seattle which is a bigger train hub in the US.

[@benttwiggy5940]

Another great video. Hope all is well

[@BrianCondron]

I’ve never taken that bus route, but the train route was very comfortable and had some incredible sea views. Would definitely recommend checking it out.

[@calebmumby5803]

hi mark a lovely video once again mate yea scenery was great that big cloud looked threatening but it held off for you which was good looking forward to seeing your next video soon take care of yourself mate get well soon

[@stevewareing8525]

Great video Mark, an average coach with the usual problems but more than made up for with the scenery and the fact it's faster than the train made it different for me. 👌👍.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Steve, going over the Glenshane Pass as the highlight for me. Definitely the best scenery there although I believe the train, whilst slower, does have better coastal scenery.

[@shawardara]

So. Each county ( there are six) has its own two-letter code and the numbers run consecutively from 1000-9999. For example Belfast is currently MZ and runs from AMZ to YMZ, followed by four numbers, The first letter changing alphabetically once the number 9999 has been issued. It’s not possible to tell the age of the vehicle solely from the reg plate. Hope this helps. PS it’s pronounced Lough nay

[@adrianmcdonagh57]

Hi mark thank you you did not disappoint from Derry to Belfast great video. , you will be in my prayers for your health. God bless from the six counties Hope more videos coming very soon

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Adrian and thanks for the comment mate. I’ll be ok health-wise, just gotta give it some time I guess. 👍

[@enricomonti156]

I still need to visit Derry. I did travel on the Belfast-Derry Train last year from Botanic station in Belfast to Antrim and it was not bad, although if I had to travel betwee. Belfast and Derry I would use the bus for sure much handier. At times, I even saw double decker coaches on the 212 and X212. I would recommend to go to the Antrim Lough Shore which is absolutely brilliant and was worth all the walking. Last year I used three different Translink Goldline Services, the 215 (Belfast-Downpatrick), 251 (Belfast-Armagh) and X261 (Belfast-Enniskillen), as I was visiting each of their destinations which are no longer served by railways. Very comfortable services indeed with viable frequencies. Translink has also express routes fro..Belfast and Derry into Dublin as well as other Goldline services that cross the border into Ireland as far as Monaghan and Cavan too, tracing back the old railway line passing Armagh, Monaghan and Cavan, which lost passenger services in the 1950s

[@progster999]

Derry is a brilliant place. The fortified police stations (back in 2002) with the rocket-propelled grenades attack protection scared the living daylight of my visiting parents from peaceful Norway. They were very relieved to leave Derry after a 2-hour long visit. And the place has an ambiance I have never felt anywhere else. But it is still a brilliant place and must be on everybody's bucket list. As a whole, Northern Ireland is a very beautiful place on this planet and a shout-out goes to the Northern Coastal road from Larne to Bushmills, one of the most scenic coastal roads in the UK. Put that on the bucket list too..... Great video ! ..... And another shout-out to the great Coleraine Cheese this festive season.

[@progster999]

Just a comment on the train vs bus. My favourite journey, and the one you should do next time you visit Derry, is the very scenic train up to Derry with the spectacular line along the sea from Coleraine to Derry. Then take the bus back to Belfast via Omagh, the heart of Northern Ireland. I called it and still call it the grand tour of Northern Ireland. I loved it and it is among the finest tours in UK. Top 5 or Top 10. Daytrip or stay over one night. It is a tour that redefine what you think is the coulor Green. Your next tour to Derry. Train vs bus ? Trains are far more comfortable in Northern Ireland. Buses, although not bad at all, are more business-like A to B transportation. Now, I have wasted too much of your time.

[@davidoliver1169]

Hi Mark. Another well crafted video. Hope you are on the mend, as your videos are something I always each each week. Cheers again.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Thanks David, appreciate the comment mate.

[@robertmorris5214]

Great video Mark

[@Fan652w]

Thank you Mark for an extremely interesting and informative video. The X212 and the slower 212 services are clearly very important routes. But the timetable you showed demonstrated one of the big weaknesses of UK public transport. Sunday services are generally POOR compared to those on the other days of the week. If public transport is to be an alternative to the private car then there needs to be good services 365 days a year. Indeed inter-urban routes such as the one shown in this video should normally have much the same timetable EVERY DAY.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers mate, if anything the timetable (Mon-Fri) is a little too frequent judging by the numbers on my bus. Sunday’s where I live, you’re lucky to get anything at all. Anywhere. Differs by area doesn’t it but I guess someone, somewhere looks at passenger numbers and calculates the costs accordingly.

[@mikeygranville1851]

Hi Mark, Northern Irish plates are considered as dateless registrations and they are a standard issue for Northern Ireland. They can also be used in the mainland of the United Kingdom and commonly used to hide the age of the vehicles being there is no age identification on Northern Irish plates.

[@DavidJohnston58]

Translink have a mix of retained older registrations along with new registrations on new buses. The GXI reg (from the 80s) on the Foyle Metro electric bus to Pennyburn being an example. I used the bus mostly though if the service was using double deckers I would take the link bus across the Foyle to the train instead as there are less downstairs seats on the deckers and tend to fill more quickly. Having a spinal injury I cannot climb stairs.

[@johnmullin1188]

😮 hi Mark hope you are getting over that bad illness keep your peker up my friend sorry you had to cancel your Canada trip but you know your health comes first and then all your wonderful travels which Will return again God bless you M8 thanks for the 📷 soldier on pal all the best John 😊😊

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers John, I’ll do my best mate 😊👍

[@nirclass70]

The train takes a longer route serving major towns along the route - Coleraine, Ballymoney, Ballymena and Antrim, over 20 miles longer. The Derry to Coleraine section has been described by Michael Palin as one of the outstanding railway journeys in the world. As regards ticketing an ilink zone four ticket gives unlimited train and bus travel in (NI) for £19.00. On Sundays £10 Day Tracker gives a day’s unlimited train travel. The trains are modern and comfortable though there is no catering.

[@colinmanning-nx2kg]

If I needed to do that journey by public transport I’d have to go by the train as buses and coaches make me travel sick whereas trains don’t. So although I’m 80 I’ve never bothered to get a free bus pass and although I’m ok driving I hate being a passenger and feeling unwell . I’ll gladly pay the higher train fare even though in your enjoyable videos I learn how cheap in comparison the bus fares are! Hope you get your health issue sorted .

[@alang5764]

If you live in Ireland and qualify (as all over 65 do) then the free travel scheme is valid on bus and train.

[@Whoeverwhateverwhenever]

Love your videos!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Thanks mate, appreciate the comment 😊👍

[@Andypanda19733]

Wow absolutely amazing video the scenery is amazing, Fabulous as always Mark do you think you will be taking a trip on the new cross country service witch starts mid December all the best

[@johncrwarner]

Other KZbinrs have taken the railway from Belfast to Derry largely because it has some of the finest coastal scenery in the British Isles. The bus has a different aesthetic and the scenery was good too but I think you have to try the Belfast to Derry rail line sometime. Hope you are feeling better.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yes I have heard this about the train John. And I think it’s worth doing myself at some point - mainly because of this. I’ll definitely be back. Thanks for asking about my health, I’m feeling about the same tbh. Could be worse!

[@Luce306]

Nice video I was in Belfast yesterday 14 of November 2024 and Derry is a lovely city too been there twice and I enjoyed it hopefully I’ll be there again too lovely cities in Northern Ireland

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yes both cities I think are fascinating as is the countryside. I’ll definitely be back!

[@Luce306]

@ indeed I am from the Republic of Ireland in cork

[@OriginalFloatingCarrot]

First comment and first to view. Bonus. Great video

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers mate - love the name btw!

[@eugenedonaghy1]

The train station side is now open

[@UKMDI]

Lough Neeee

[@eugenedonaghy1]

You should have got the train