Info needed about 17.16 CDF - HHD using a 1st Class ALR

[Mike99]

Evening all, Hope this is the correct place for this.
Advice needed for the above, I'm starting a 1st class, 14 day ALR next week and wondered if anyone knows if its valid on the 17.16 ex CDF and what are the arrangements regarding the evening meal and cost.
Thanks in Advance.
Reagrds
Mike

 

[bb21]

Yes, it is valid and food included.

Enjoy your journey.

 

[Mike99]

Thanks for the info, yummy

 

[NottsPhil]

Yes, food and soft drinks are included, alcohol is chargeable but not expensive.

I have never had a problem turning up on spec but have occasionally reserved a seat just to be sure, especially if doing the whole journey. Also worth watching ATW Journey Check in case there is a set fault and it gets subbed with a 175! They are usually very good at updating it if so.

Enjoy, one of the best journeys in the UK!

 

[ainsworth74]

I did it recently and I must say that it's been a while since I felt my heart drop quite like it did when I saw the platform indicators tick over and say 'formed of three coaches'. Visions of a 175 all the way to Holyhead came straight to mind! Thankfully, for me anyway, it was the proper stock just short a TSO.

Make sure you visit the first class lounge on platform one. Very small but it's nice and the staff are wonderful.

 

[Dhassell]

First Class usually at the rear, on the Swansea end when you depart Cardiff.

 

[ainsworth74]

First Class usually at the rear, on the Swansea end when you depart Cardiff.

Is that a recent change? It was when I did it a few weeks ago but on every occasion before then (admittedly only three times!) it had been on the front.

 

[DarloRich]

Evening all, Hope this is the correct place for this.
Advice needed for the above, I'm starting a 1st class, 14 day ALR next week and wondered if anyone knows if its valid on the 17.16 ex CDF and what are the arrangements regarding the evening meal and cost.
Thanks in Advance.
Reagrds
Mike

no worries at all. I have done it twice. Each time it was good quality and all washed down with a couple of bottles of ale.

 

[Dumpton Park]

There's a report on CHarlie Hulme's North Wales Coast Railway website from a week or so back on the food. It's pretty good, all in all.

DP

 

[DarloRich]

There's a report on CHarlie Hulme's North Wales Coast Railway website from a week or so back on the food. It's pretty good, all in all.

DP

pictures on my flickr to

 

[Mike99]

Thanks for all the replies, just wanted to include it in my ALR, when I finish the 14 days, should only have about 60 miles to do in England & Wales and Fort William to Mallaig left to have covered all the recognised passenger routes in England, Wales and Scotland.

 

[Dhassell]

Is that a recent change? It was when I did it a few weeks ago but on every occasion before then (admittedly only three times!) it had been on the front.

I did it weekly for 3 weeks, and all 3 times it was at the rear weirdly enough.

 

[robbeech]

I have only ever done it once, that was last November on an ALR (there's a trip report somewhere). I did book a seat on it, and whilst there were a couple of free seats, it was pretty busy so i am glad i did. First class was at the rear but i didn't know this until it arrived so asked platform staff and they advised me it was usually at the rear but it's no unknown for it to "come in backwards".
I'd advise having a bit of cash on you for alcoholic beverages as their card machine is usually a bit hit and miss, and whilst it's not your problem it is a simple solution, last time another passenger had to wait for the guard to pass through and sell him some voucher thing that they exchanged for his drinks which was a faff for everyone involved.

 

[Mike99]

Thanks again for the advice, normally got cash on me, I'll be en-route, from Fareham-Barnstable-Cardiff-Chester-Manchester-Shipley. I've stayed at Ibis Hotel Shipley quite a few times on ALR's, its cheaper than Leeds or Manchester does a good buffet breakfast and it's pretty much opposite the station and has a frequent service in and out of Leeds which gives good access to a huge area.

 

[robbeech]

Maybe copy that post to the accommodation reviews and suggestions thread at the top of this forum if you haven't already.

 

[James Wake]

Thanks again for the advice, normally got cash on me, I'll be en-route, from Fareham-Barnstable-Cardiff-Chester-Manchester-Shipley. I've stayed at Ibis Hotel Shipley quite a few times on ALR's, its cheaper than Leeds or Manchester does a good buffet breakfast and it's pretty much opposite the station and has a frequent service in and out of Leeds which gives good access to a huge area.

Thank you for the hotel suggestion, as I also do ALRs, I'm on one now.

 

[Mike99]

Enjoy your ALR, I start a 14 day ALR on Thursday,

 

[dave87016]

I'm on one from 2nd October enjoy yourselves gents I shall be spending 3 nights at home and 3 nights in bed and breakfast and one night on sleeper