I had a day off one day and kept getting recommended by colleagues to do the first class offering on TFW. Casually I had nothing planned for that day and thought it would be best to do this and have a try.

I booked a standard ticket from Cardiff to Manchester and then upgraded to first class on the train. This was the 10:53 Cardiff-Manchester Train which is generally a brunch service and presented with 3 Menus. Of course I went for the 3 course to give it the full try.

All done whilst traversing through the stunning countryside that wales has to offer from Newport all the way up to Shrewsbury.

The food was quite good, hot and fresh. I started with a Lamb Kofta then moved onto a Sirloin Steak and finally a cheeseboard which were all well prepared and delicious.

Despite having to pay for the food. You get what you asked for and even then it’s one of the best operators to offer a good first class service behind the likes of LNER and Avanti West Coast. Good service, good chefs and good hosts around.

Although it’s offered on a limited amount of service if you know where to look it’s worth going for it. Best in the country? Well in my standards that’s how first class should be done and a fantastic well done to TFW.

by Luivery

9 comments

  1. I’d like to try it but the numbers of services which have it are so limited. It’s a shame they don’t offer it on their services to Holyhead – I suppose it’s because of the length of some of the platforms on that route. 

  2. Why is there a DB (Deutche Bahn) marking on the locomotive engine?

  3. It’s a very good service. Which is just as well, because the A483 is a mess at the moment. Full of potholes, ‘temporary surface’ (actually, its the real surface its just destroyed) or ‘weak verges’ where the road has collapsed.

    4 and a bit hour journey north to south takes well over 5 atm. total of 3 hours inc driving to the station is pretty decent.

  4. This is how of Wales’ long distance rail services should be. They’re never gonna be fast so they might as well be comfortable.

    Whenever I go North I always try to time it for a Gerald. Pain the ass when a shaky, unreliable, class 197 turns up. Don’t get me wrong they’re a massive upgrade on finding a Class 150 at the platform, but still not fun on long journeys.

  5. How much did the upgrade cost? Can’t see any first class tickets online.

  7. Doesn’t look to be much to choose between ‘the full Welsh’ and ‘the Big breakfast’!

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