Shrewsbury to Holyhead | Riding the Gerald of Wales in 1st Class

I finally get to ride 1st Class on the morning Northbound "Gerald of Wales" flagship Transport for Wales service. The service runs from Cardiff to Holyhead and I pick it up at Shrewsbury.
I have ridden the train once before, but on that occasion my camera failed. So this will be the first time I can bring you along with me.
We get to taste a little of the Shropshire countryside, before swinging westbound on the North Wales Main Line past a host of holiday towns before we cross two of the UK railways' most iconic bridges at Conwy and the Menai Straits.
...and me talking isn't the only waffle you'll get on this journey...
Departure: Shrewsbury, England, UK
Destination: Holyhead, Wales, UK
Distance: 220 km / 137 miles
Duration: 2 hrs 28 mins
Cost: First class advance single, with 1/3 railcard discount: £42.60 / €48,30
Date of Travel: March 2023
Operator: Transport for Wales
Motive power: Class 67 diesel locomotive. Built: Alstom (1999-2000)
Thank you to everyone that supports the channel by subscribing, liking, commenting or just watching these videos. I really appreciate it!

[@AndrewG1989]

The TfW Mk4 coaches and DVT do look really nice as they were once used on the East Coast Main Line.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yep. They are just the job! Thanks for watching! 👍

[@drearyplane8259]

There is a chance the Oswestry line could reopen - The Cambrian Railway has been talking about it for a few years, but apparently they got funding from the DfT to make a business case. Hopefully it reopens, Oswestry could really do with a rail connection.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

That would be really cool. I did have a look on Google and it does look like the route is still there- nobody has built a car park or a housing estate in top of it! Thanks for watching and adding that extra bit of news 👍

[@MervynPartin]

If the DfT was involved, they would rip out those comfortable seats and put in their patent ironing boards. Well done TfW for getting hold of the Mk4 coaches with real locos to pull them. Nice coverage of the journey. Regrettably, it is the wrong side of the country for me to try.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

All the TfW trains I used that week were well presented and generally fitted with comfortable seats. So yes, nice to be away from England and the ironing boards for a bit! Luckily you don't have to cross the country to sample these trains as you've got me to do it for you 😁 Thank you for watching and commenting. I really appreciate it 👍

[@alanshelly7068]

I love Wales

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yes. A special place indeed. Thanks for watching 👍

[@paulwheeler4283]

I've done this journey on the Gerald in second class and I found it so very comfortable and pleasant journey

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yes. I would also be very happy to do the trip in second class. Maybe I should next time I'm on the route! Thanks for watching 👍

[@paulwheeler4283]

@@JohnnyHooverTravels sounds like a good idea to me and you're welcome: )

[@Truman77.]

So enjoyed the trip to Hollyhead. When I lived near Bangor I would take the train and ferry to Ireland. Good memories.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

I'm so pleased I managed to bring back some good memories for you! Thank you so much for watching and sharing them 👍

[@Timstravels01]

I thoroughly enjoyed watching this. That’s another railway journey added to my to do list.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

That certainly is the same problem I have whenever I watch a travel video! The list just gets longer and longer. I'll be in Scotland following your footsteps no doubt! Thanks for watching and thanks for the kind words. 👍

[@otisreed8799]

Great video, I would love to use that on a trip to Ireland… beats a Ryanair 737 for sure! Although I do wish those MK4s were still plying their trade on the east coast mainline 😭

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yes, it would be a great way to travel to Ireland - I've got a video of Holyhead to Dublin on the channel too! Thanks for watching 👍

[@nuinmarnuinmar5321]

"Gerald" looks very nice indeed! Great video as always, thanks for sharing.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks for watching 😀 Yes. It is a lovely train. Not fast, but very comfortable.

[@scrsucks1470]

love the ex grand central mk4s , they did a good job on the refurbishment on those

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yes indeed. A very comfortable trip. Thanks for watching 👍

[@fmcb269]

"Old, familiar, far-off places..." Happy reminders of pre-covid North Wales travelcard outings! Having half an hour to kill at Holyhead between trains on one occasion and no book to read, I tried to teach my phone's predictive to offer me Llanfair thingy whatsit. No luck at all. Repeated entries just sent it into a sulk, ran the battery down, and left me phoneless until I could recharge it on my home-bound train. Ah, the wonders of modern technology!

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Ah yes Llanfair-thingy-wassname. A fine place indeed 😂 Love the phone story 👍

[@sk1nzsk1nz34]

Thanks, great video! I've put this trip on my list of trips now I've got my senior railcard...yay.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yes! Do it. It is a lovely run and the staff are so nice. Thanks for watching 👍

[@garrytuohy9267]

Great tease for the Welsh Breakfast ... I can resist everything except a tease.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Haha. I did get the welsh breakfast a day or two later. And I've not edited that video yet, and now it's been a while. But maybe I should! Or else you'll be waiting forever...

[@ampersand.]

Engaging as always, thank you. It`s particularly fun to have trains running right along the shore :) Gerald of Wales was a clergyman and writer back in the middle ages - went yomping all over Wales recording his travels. Bet he could`ve done with a train or two instead of a horsey!

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yes he was indeed. I really should have given him a proper mention in the commentary. Oh well. Next time! Thank you for watching another. I have a Monday bonus coming out this week... "what did he do after Holyhead?" You will find out. 👍

[@jimcrawford5039]

I worked on the Duke of Lancaster when it was new in 1958. Another enjoyable video! Cheers from Oz.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks Jim. 'Back at you' from Devon 👍

[@mercilessmage7300]

“The Gerald of Wales” is a lesser known gem on the national network. It definitely deserves more exposure and patronage. Would you consider doing further journeys/videos on “The Gerald of Wales” in order to sample the other breakfast menu options?! Thanks for posting such an informative video.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Well, it's a bit of a spoiler, but I can kinda do that as an upcoming edit will be a run 1st class on TfWs sister service that runs to/from Manchester - best on-train breakfast imho Thanks for watching and commenting 👍

[@garybroadhurst3548]

The contrast between this train and the others that operate the route is striking. These are arguably the best First Class AND Standard offerings in the UK yet the route is operated, for the most part with 150s and 197s. Imagine 5 hours on a 150! The 197s are shiny and new and look very nice but are even less comfortable with their cramped 'ironing board' seats. Maybe that's why this service is under-used. As a "regular" traveller, if I ever just happened to do that on the DMU stock I'd never even THINK of doing it again - just straight in the car.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

You are so right. I have actually stood at the station expecting the Mk4s and a 150 has rolled in... not a great experience! Thanks for watching 👍

[@cryzcryz2345]

Another great journey! I'm going to Llandudno in a few days. This will be my first trip to Wales. I can't wait! Thank you for this video!

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Have a great time, it is a lovely place. As you will see when my Llandudno vid drops tomorrow! If you do not travel there by train, it is still worth popping your head into the railway station if you are walking nearby. It really is a lovely space.

[@KingStar-fs5tu]

I really like the 67 and 82 set, it just feels like I should go on it myself

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yes do go on it. It is a lovely ride! Thanks for watching and commenting 👍

[@RoddyJenkins]

Thanks for another brilliantly enjoyable video, Johnny 👍Very apt that you chose to travel to Holyhead for this week’s video, as I’ve just had a ten day holiday on Anglesey walking part of the coastal path which included picking up members of our party from that long named station on the island, which the walking guides give the English translation as “Saint Mary’s church in the hollow of white hazel near a rapid whirlpool and the church of Saint Tysilio near the Red cave” Personally I didn’t think £42 was too bad a price to pay for first class travel,given the railcard discount - I’d certainly look at booking that ticket in the future with my DPRC!

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks Roddy. Very kind words. Pleased you had a good time on Anglesey. Walking around the coast sounds a great idea. I would like to go back myself and spend a bit more time near the other Menai bridge and around Beaumaris.

[@RoddyJenkins]

@@JohnnyHooverTravels You won’t be disappointed, Johnny! Beaumaris is a nice place,although only got to see snippets of the town doing to coastal walk. On one day, when i wasn’t feeling great mentally and physically, Mum an I drove from our holiday cottage near Dwyran up to Church Cove (where we’d previously walked) around to Beaumaris to Menai Bridge

[@geoffreystevens663]

Well researched and very enjoyable, thank you

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

You are very welcome. Thank you for taking the time to watch and comment. It is much appreciated 👍

[@colinriley123]

Really enjoyed this; a lovely journey in a proper train ---I have just spent the day in class 800s. I had been to see March station thanks to an earlier video of yours. As always the video was beautifully made; I appreciated the faded glory shots. Just look at those bricks made to resemble stone moulding! I always comment on the visual appeal of the videos, but thanks also for the information. The commentary is well researched and full of the detail sadly missing from my own trips.. Something made me a little uneasy about a train named Gerald, and then it dawned on me ; Gerald the mole!

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks Colin. Pleased that you too like a bit of faded glory (maybe we see that mirrored in our own lives!) I did fail to mention the Gerald is named after the well-travelled Welsh clergyman who lived in the 12th and 13th centuries. Thanks as always for the kind words. New video on Monday!

[@Transpennine]

Brilliant video! Your videos are very detailed and entertaining, also I know why the standard Class seats Had that Moquette! In 2020, Grand Central planned to run a direct service from Blackpool north to London Euston using some Mk4 coaches I believe, this plan was then abandoned and TFW bought these coaches to use on their Gerald trains.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thank you. You are very kind. And also thank you for the extra information on the past of those Mark 4s Really appreciate all the views and comments 👍

[@colinbrooks228]

triangle at valley is not disused it is still used for Turning of steam locomotves on charter trains which often run to holyhead especially during the summer months

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yes, one or two others have also mentioned my error! Thank you for that clarification, I'm always very open to being put right when I'm wrong on the channel 👍 ...and thank you for watching 👍

[@john07973]

Good video, dreary weather !

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thank you. Yes, you can always purchase a 1st class ticket, but that doesn't guarantee 1st class weather... Thank you for the kind comment. 👍

[@SeanMidlandstransporthub]

Great video! The train you where on actually has Ex Grand Central carriages

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks. They were really good and offered excellent comfort for both classes of passengers. Nicer than the current GC Adelantes I reckon. Thanks for watching 👍

[@simonpilk]

The triangle is not disused at Valley as it is used for turning steam locomotives as indeed it was this evening to turn Britannia.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks for that. Very interesting 👍

[@michaelmacdonell4834]

Faded Glory is all I have left - don't knock it!

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Well. I suppose any kind of glory, faded or not, is greater than none! Thanks for watching 👍

[@gemmarie7683]

Lovely picturesque route. Pretty much every time I've travelled 1st class, you get meal service included. It's strange you had to pay

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

I think it changed at around Covidtime that you have to pay. I still think the food is good value. My friend did Chester to Newport this week and thoroughly enjoyed his 3-course lunch. Thanks so much for watching and commenting 👍

[@garybroadhurst3548]

And the tickets are quite a bit cheaper than other First Class offerings so you get the choice, maybe not having to pay for the "free" included food that you don't really want. When you add the extra £10 or £12, it's still MUCH better value than a similar length journey on LNER or Avanti. I missed out when I rode this - I'd had a huge breakfast already so couldn't justify it. I'll be sure to be hungry next time.

[@davidsheriff8989]

Great - used to be fun on steam trains....

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Blimey! That was a long time ago 😉

[@elegantinfusions]

No change there with TFW running late, currently we have very little service in the valleys at the moment due to electrification, its the Welsh government that run TFW

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

In my week in Wales I did experience some other late running. And also the loco hauled trains also got switched out for DMU. At least when it was good it was very good. But maybe it could have been good a bit more often! Thanks for watching 👍

[@Transpennine]

Sorry what Lines are getting electrified?

[@craiglogistics2092]

A lovely train that could do with another carriage or two (a Class 67 loco could manage 7 or more)

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Maybe so, but it certainly doesn't another 1st class coach as there's plenty of seats. Thanks for watching Craig 👍

[@craighobbs3708]

This service, I presume, is heavily subsidised by the Welsh government. - it is extremely slow when the car equivalent is a lot quicker! - it wasn’t very busy so I guess people vote with their feet! £46 first class is excellent value!

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yes, I understand it has a large subsidy from the Welsh govt. Thanks for watching 👍

[@Kassiusday]

Subscribed `UK is a beautiful island anyway ….what wd be a one train 🚊 to Holyhead from London.?

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

There are some direct trains between Holyhead and London. These take around 3hours 45minutes Thanks for subscribing - I hope you enjoy the 100 or so other videos that are currently on this channel 👍

[@erik_griswold]

Is the Gerald service run more frequently each day now than it was before TFW took over? I recall it was only once a day?

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

My understanding (and I'm sure KZbin will put me right if I'm wrong) that there is a morning and afternoon service in each direction each day.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

I've double-checked and the loco-hauled service, with restaurant for 1st class passengers, departures are: Holyhead at 05:33, 11:33 and 16:34 Cardiff Central at 06:48, 11:25 and 17:14

[@erik_griswold]

@@JohnnyHooverTravels Thanks. This works far better for connecting on to the ferries to Dublin than the old schedule seemed to offer.

[@wilfstor3078]

Coming from a country where the equivalent of a standard class ticket costs 44 Pounds at its best, 42.60 sounds like a bargain...

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

There are still some train bargains to be had if you keep your eyes open and are lucky! Thanks for watching 👍

[@michaeljohndennis2231]

I just wish that at the very least, TFW would have more direct services from Manchester Victoria (not Piccadilly and certainly not Platform 13 at Piccadilly) to Holyhead, even outside of SailRail for the ferries to Dublin - I’m not even bothered about express, first class or Mk 4 coaches, just having direct services - perhaps with HS2 this would free up more capacity, even if the high-speed rail tunnel from Holyhead to Dublin has been shelved yet again - another thing that is missing is a decent quality connection across the North of England from York, via Leeds, Manchester Victoria, possibly Liverpool, Chester and onto the North Wales line - with the Irish Government’s post-Brexit proposals under EU climate change rules to restrict or ban shorthaul flights between Ireland and the U.K. and even aside from the proposals for 15 mins cities in Ireland and the U.K. alike, including with the expansion of Dublin Port (North Wall) to take cruise ships, this is going to get very interesting - Dublin Port and Dun Laoire has its own issues like no LUAS tram connection into Dublin City Centre from North Wall, Dun Laoire was closed down despite a DART connection into Dublin Pearse, Tara St & Connolly, ferries don’t sail up the River Liffey at high tide, Liverpool (Birkenhead) does not accept foot passengers on its Dublin ferries despite cruise ships operating from the old port at Liverpool which is quite some distance from Liverpool Lime St, passenger barges don’t even use the Manchester Ship Canal to Liverpool, same with Dublin’s Canals, passenger ferries could use far more inward parts of the Mersey nearer to other train stations, so a lot of room for innovation and “thinking outside the box” here

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Gosh that's a lot to take in... ...firstly I would agree that regular links out of Manchester to Holyhead with quality stock would be an excellent extension for the Northern Powerhouse and may just encourage people out of the plane at Manchester Airport. Wrt Dublin, at least there is a handy bus into the centre from the ferry and foot passenger numbers aren't probably enough to warrant more. I've just been in Ireland again and this time I flew Exeter to Dublin with onward coach connection to the city centre. It went very smoothly and was so quick compared to a similar surface journey (which I took on my return via Rosslare to Fishguard) Thank you so much for watching and commenting 👍