20-MAY-2013
Refreshed we were off again....leaving Plymouth taking the slower route from Exeter to London with South West Trains then a fast run down to Cardiff on FGW
Plymouth station was deemed Ok and had this single car unit that we didn't have time to try.
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All these First train companies look the same basic blue colour...come on guys use some variety
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Plymouth to Exeter was with Cross Country and the trip was fine and uneventful.
20-MAY-2013
Some nice details in the station like these tiled signs for indicating the platform locations.
Nice bright paint scheme as well to match the nice bright trains.
20-MAY-2013
Exeter St Davids is a nice station, retaining some of its original features.
Clean and tidy.....didn't see much litter the whole week so someone is doing a good job keeping Britain tidy.
We changed here for the SW trains route via Salisbury into London Waterloo.
20-MAY-2013
At last a change from the mass of blue trains....a livery with some life.
This was our train arrivivng at Exeter, it ran out to sidings for 20 mins before returning into our platform. Class 159.
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The route thru Salisbury/Yoevil was a pleasant run, much better that retracing our steps back to Bristol on FGW
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I am confident that this train was on par with my favourite so far (Scot rail from Inverness) Lovely comfy seats, smooth ride, quiet compartment. The only minor critique would be on on board service which was a bit impersonal.
It gets a good 7.5/10 ( no power socket let it down a notch) with again a 9/10 if just marking the seating comfort. Well done South West.
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Plymouth to Waterloo added another 223 miles to the running total which now stands at 1543 miles with an on time arrival
20-MAY-2013
Don't particularly like London stations.
Waterloo did nothing to change my opinion.
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Busy and frenetic so a quick photo then on the tube across to Paddington.
20-MAY-2013
Compared with a similar train shed at St Pancras, Paddington is a big disappointment.
Gloomy and dark, almost claustrophobic. 5/10 for the station.
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They play the same game as Kings Cross where the train stands ready but they don't announce the platform till almost departure time, then its a scramble to get thru and settled.
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The FGW 125 initially looked super with its grey leather seating however it was all "fur coat and no knickers" as the fascade was just a front. I found the seats not comfy at all, the leather being hard and slippy. I also expected more from the onboard catering than just a drink. Didn't need anything having had the late lunch but nothing was offered though I am sure a crisp or two was available
Train was, though, on time and the journey totally forgetable. But the 145 miles takes the running total to 1685 miles
FGW are in the big league but reside in the relegation spot. I can't give more than 6/10...on par with TPEx not something to be proud of!
20-MAY-2013
Plenty of time to spare at Paddington so looked for some lunch.
Nice quiet pub just round the corner was our first pub visit of the week....didn't we do well.
Hotel bars don't count as pubs by the way.
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Nice spot of lunch then back to the station for the FGW 125 to Cardiff Central
20-MAY-2013
Our first mistake, as the photo shows there are at least 6 hotels within a 300 yd radius of cardiff central but we managed to pick on that was 20 mins walk away...not good when you are getting on a bit. Travelodge, Radison, Sleeperz, Marriot etc.
Not a particularly welcoming hotel though the staff were fine.....bland and bleak would be the description of the public areas with new paint smell pervading the building.
Rooms OK but no bath....and I like a bath not a shower. There was soap which trumps the Motel One and breakfast did have bacon/sausage etc. However the remote location for non car users loses a point so this gets 6/10.
The presence of a steel works marshalling rail yard doesn't save it ...no trains for many a year.
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Not too long a walk though, down to the Cardiff Bay area which was on the night surprisingly quiet compared to Plymouth's equivalent the night before.
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Nice food in Wood's Brasserie. Engaging staff, good service an OK place 8/10
21-MAY-2013
New day new challenge as they say. looking at the Arriva Trains Wales stock the night before there was an abundance of Pacers around. Give them fair due they were making them into 4 car units by tagging them on the back of 144 and the like but a lot of low level stock in use. As today was our one day where we knew there was no 1st class option and we were "with the poor people" (not my quote!!!)we were pessimistic about the day ahead and what we might be riding on.
The plan was to go from Cardiff via Shrewsbury to Chester then Llandudno Jnct and Blaenau Festiniog, 219 miles, returning to Chester on Arriva before a transfer to Virgin for a quick run to Crewe adding another 92 miles to our total. .
Our fears were unfounded as this nice Class 175 rolled into the platform for us to use.
Nice comfy table seat, a lesson in marketing from the student and his very attractive lecturer as far as Cwmbran, coffee and mars bars from the trolley and we are sorted for the day.
This leg scores a well deserved 7.5/10 Well done Arriva, putting First Group to shame somewhat. The livery is attractive as well, though after a while the blue does start to irritate when used on the station paintwork
On time arrival in Llandudno Jnct where we changed for the Conwy valley line to Blaenau.
21-MAY-2013
En route north through the Welsh borders this impressive signal box at Shrewsbury was seen...long tall and thin a unique design?
21-MAY-2013
Sometimes the excitment got the better of Geoff and he had to sleep off the adrenalin rush!
Dreaming of his new pink bicycle.
It's a strange co-incidence I think but at these moments the questions stopped and I had time to recover :-)))
Little did he know of the excitement to come the following day........
21-MAY-2013
Llandudno Junction was an acceptable place to be. Nice station buildings, cafe and all the facilities old men need!
Even for the short run up the valley to BF Arriva produced a decent stock in the form of a 2 car class 150.
Not over crowded, perfectly servicable and helpful chatty guard who kept asking if we had any requests.....temptation was to ask for an old Buddy Holly song but he really was intereseted in requests for stops at halts so we didn't risk it as it would have been a long walk back
Some lovely views from the train as it wended its way up to Roman Bridge....but after the tunnel all the green goes to be replaced by slate waste....interesting industrial history though.
