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.
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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.