Premier Service

"North-South Wales rail service" redirects here. For the proposed railway between North and South Wales, see North–South Wales railway.

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

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

History

On 15 December 2008, the Premier Service commenced operating between Holyhead and Cardiff Central.^[1] 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.^[2][3]

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.^[4] By February 2009, the service was being operated by a single Class 57.^[5]

In March 2012, the Class 57 were replaced by DB Schenker Class 67.^[6] The Mark 2 carriages were replaced with Mark 3 carriages at the same time.^[7] 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.^[8]

In October 2018, operation of the Premier Service passed with the Wales & Borders franchise to KeolisAmey Wales.^[9] In March 2020, the service was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic with the Mark 3 coaches withdrawn.^[10][11] It resumed in June 2021, with Class 67s hauling Mark 4 coaches and, as of August 2021^[update], three trains in each direction now operate five days a week.^[12][13][14]

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. ^[15]