Premier Service
{{Short description|Passenger train service between North and South Wales}}
{{Italic title}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{redirect|North-South Wales rail service|the proposed railway between North and South Wales|North–South Wales railway}}
{{Infobox rail service
|box_width =
|name = Premier Service
|logo =
|logo_width =
|image = Hugh llewelyn 57 315 (5568444203).jpg
|image_size =
|caption = 57315 at Newport in June 2009
|type = Passenger train
|status =
|locale =
|predecessor =
|first = 15 December 2008
|last =
|successor =
|operator = Transport for Wales Rail
|formeroperator = Arriva Trains Wales
KeolisAmey Wales
|ridership =
|start = Holyhead
Manchester Piccadilly
|stops =
|end = Cardiff Central
|distance =
|journeytime = 4 hours, 30 minutes
|frequency = Monday - Friday
|trainnumber = 1V91
1W96
|line_used = North Wales Coast
Chester-Shrewsbury
Welsh Marches
South Wales
|class =
|access =
|seating =
|catering =
|entertainment =
|baggage =
|otherfacilities =
|stock = Class 67
Mark 4
Mark 4 DVT
|gauge =
|speed =
|owners =
|routenumber =
|map = }}
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.{{cite news|accessdate=2021-02-12|title=North-south service to go ahead|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/7659142.stm|date=8 October 2008|website=BBC News}} 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."ATW to launch Holyhead-Cardiff service" Rail issue 603 22 October 2008 page 21"Go-ahead for new North-South Wales service" Today's Railways UK issue 84 December 2008 page 7
Four Class 57 locomotives (57313{{ndash}}57316) were sublet from Virgin Trains West Coast to operate in top and tail formation, with one Mark 3 and three Mark 2 carriages."New Service Links North and South Wales" The Railway Magazine issue 1294 February 2009 page 9 By February 2009, the service was being operated by a single Class 57."57s solo on WAG express" Today's Railways UK issue 88 April 2009 page 58
In March 2012, the Class 57 were replaced by DB Schenker Class 67.67s start work on WAG Express Rail issue 693 4 April 2012 page 25 The Mark 2 carriages were replaced with Mark 3 carriages at the same time."Ex-Cargo-D Mk 3s refurbished and ready for duty with Arriva Trains Wales" Rail issue 708 31 October 2012 page 26 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.Mk3 DVTs converted for Arriva Trains Wales Rail issue 687 11 January 2012 page 18
In October 2018, operation of the Premier Service passed with the Wales & Borders franchise to KeolisAmey Wales.[https://gov.wales/docs/cabinetstatements/2018/180604serviceimprovementsen.pdf Service Improvements] Government of Wales In March 2020, the service was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic with the Mark 3 coaches withdrawn.Arriva Mk3s sent for store The Railway Magazine issue 1431 June 2020 page 77Time called on WAG Railways Illustrated July 2020 page 16 It resumed in June 2021, with Class 67s hauling Mark 4 coaches and, {{as of|2021|8|lc=on}}, three trains in each direction now operate five days a week.TfW livery applied to first of hired Class 67s Rail issue 892 20 November 2019 page 29First trials for Welsh Mk 4s Railways Illustrated January 2020 page 8[https://web.archive.org/web/20210608170651/https://news.tfw.wales/news/transport-for-wales-introduce-premium-trains Transport for Wales introduces premium trains] Transport for Wales 7 June 2021
Services
The Premier Service departs Holyhead at 05:27, and departs Cardiff Central at 17:22. 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 6 return services Monday-Saturday between Cardiff and Manchester, and 1 return service between Swansea and Manchester on Monday-Saturday, with 2 services on Sunday, using the same rolling stock. https://225group.org.uk/docs/Intercity-225-Services-TfW.pdf
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons category-inline}}
{{Railway lines in Wales}}
{{Transport in Wales|state=collapsed}}
Category:Named passenger trains of the United Kingdom