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Premier Service

57315 at Newport in June 2009
Overview
Service type	Passenger train
First service	15 December 2008
Current operator(s)	Transport for Wales Rail
Former operator(s)	Arriva Trains Wales KeolisAmey Wales
Route
Termini	Holyhead Manchester Piccadilly Cardiff Central
Average journey time	4 hours, 30 minutes
Service frequency	Monday - Friday
Train number(s)	1V91 1W96
Line(s) used	North Wales Coast Chester-Shrewsbury Welsh Marches South Wales
Technical
Rolling stock	Class 67 Mark 4 Mark 4 DVT

The Premier Service is a passenger train service operated by Transport for Wales Rail between Holyhead and Cardiff Central in Wales.

History

On 15 December 2008, the Premier Service commenced operating between Holyhead and Cardiff Central. Originally named Y Gerallt Gymro (Gerald of Wales), it was funded by the Welsh Government as a premium service to connect North and South Wales. Grand Central and Wrexham & Shropshire expressed an interest in operating the service; however, the contract was awarded to Wales & Borders franchise holder Arriva Trains Wales.

Four Class 57 locomotives (57313–57316) were sublet from Virgin Trains West Coast to operate in top and tail formation, with one Mark 3 and three Mark 2 carriages. By February 2009, the service was being operated by a single Class 57.

In March 2012, the Class 57 were replaced by DB Schenker Class 67. The Mark 2 carriages were replaced with Mark 3 carriages at the same time. It originally ran via Crewe but, from September 2012, it was rerouted via Wrexham General after a Driving Van Trailer was added; this allowed the train to change direction at Chester.

In October 2018, operation of the Premier Service passed with the Wales & Borders franchise to KeolisAmey Wales. In March 2020, the service was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic with the Mark 3 coaches withdrawn. It resumed in June 2021, with Class 67 hauled Mark 4 coaches and, as of August 2021, three trains in each direction now operate five days a week.

Services

The Premier Service departs Holyhead at 05:33, 11:33 and 16:36 five days a week; they leave Cardiff Central at 06:45, 11:22 and 17:16. It features first-class accommodation and a dining car with a travelling chef. First class customers have the option of purchasing a breakfast, lunch or dinner, cooked to order, by the on-board chef. Normal standard-class fares are valid on the train.

As well as serving Cardiff to Holyhead, Transport for Wales introduced three services each day between Swansea and Manchester using the same rolling stock.

References

1. "North-south service to go ahead". BBC News. 8 October 2008. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
2. "ATW to launch Holyhead-Cardiff service" Rail issue 603 22 October 2008 page 21
3. "Go-ahead for new North-South Wales service" Today's Railways UK issue 84 December 2008 page 7
4. "New Service Links North and South Wales" The Railway Magazine issue 1294 February 2009 page 9
5. "57s solo on WAG express" Today's Railways UK issue 88 April 2009 page 58
6. 67s start work on WAG Express Rail issue 693 4 April 2012 page 25
7. "Ex-Cargo-D Mk 3s refurbished and ready for duty with Arriva Trains Wales" Rail issue 708 31 October 2012 page 26
8. Mk3 DVTs converted for Arriva Trains Wales Rail issue 687 11 January 2012 page 18
9. Service Improvements Government of Wales
10. Arriva Mk3s sent for store The Railway Magazine issue 1431 June 2020 page 77
11. Time called on WAG Railways Illustrated July 2020 page 16
12. TfW livery applied to first of hired Class 67s Rail issue 892 20 November 2019 page 29
13. First trials for Welsh Mk 4s Railways Illustrated January 2020 page 8
14. Transport for Wales introduces premium trains Transport for Wales 7 June 2021

External links

Media related to Premier Service at Wikimedia Commons

• Named passenger trains of the United Kingdom
• Railway services introduced in 2008
• 2008 establishments in the United Kingdom