I tried the secret breakfast you can get in first class on trains in Wales

By this point, the hostess had asked me if I wanted to check out the Blas breakfast menu. You could get different versions of fry-ups, but also lighter options – poached egg on toast or porridge. For journalistic purposes, I knew only a hearty meal would do, so I went for the vegetarian version of the full Welsh breakfast, which cost £10.50. Support award-winning journalism with WalesOnline’s Premium app on Apple or Android

As the waitress took my order, she checked what stop I was getting off at – presumably so the chef could make the meal in time. In the meantime, she laid placemat down down on my table in front of me, along with a knife and fork wrapped in a napkin. Pretty fancy, I thought, as I waited for my food.

I didn’t have to wait long for the meal, which gave me lots of time to eat it. And I needed that time, because there was lots of it to get through: two veggie sausages, mushrooms, scrambled egg, two grilled tomatoes, two hash browns, a pot of baked beans, four halves of toast (two brown, two white), several packets of butter and what appeared to be a meat-free bubble and squeak rosti.

I didn’t expect that much for the price, so it was a bargain. My fellow passengers seemed to agree: the son travelling with his mum had also ordered the full Welsh breakfast and she was telling someone on the phone how “massive” it was. “He’s still working through it,” she laughed. “I think his eyes are bigger than his belly”.

So, Blas definitely serves up a bang for your buck – but what about quality? Well, it seems they’ve nailed that too, because I couldn’t really fault the breakfast. I’m not saying it’s the best fry-up I’ve ever had, but it was very good and far better than many others I’ve had at hotels, especially for the cost.

The vegetarian sausages were tender and nicely seasoned, and the tomatoes were lightly charred and juicy. The hash browns weren’t overly crispy, and the toast was done just right. My favourite part of the entire meal was the rosti, which was beautifully soft and herby.

The whole meal was a lot, but it didn’t feel overly greasy. It also came on a warm plate, so it didn’t go cold quickly. Even the butter appeared to have been warmed slightly, making it easy to spread on the toast – a small detail which I appreciated.

I also ordered a complimentary glass of orange juice to have with it. Out of everything I had this was the only let down – it was a bit watery and artificial tasting, though not totally unpleasant. Plus, it was free, so I can’t complain too much.

As for the service, this was top-notch – and is really what made the whole experience special. The wait staff were friendly, very attentive, and prompt. One asked me how my meal was, and another asked if I wanted a more coffee as soon as he noticed my cup was empty. I even spotted one wiping down the grab handles on the seats, something which I don’t think I’ve ever seen happen on a train before. I guess that’s what you’re paying for when you go first class.

Ultimately, TfW’s luxury dining experience left me seriously impressed. It’s a shame more people don’t know about it, though maybe its exclusiveness is what adds to its charm – admittedly, it does feel a bit like I’m now privy to a secret experience.

Like the majority of train passengers, I can’t afford to travel regularly on first class, so Blas will only ever be an occasional treat. But it’s definitely something I’ll consider in the future, like if I’m taking the train for a weekend trip, or to travelling celebrate a special occasion – or even if I just fancy romanticising my life a little. And now I’ve had a glimpse into the world of luxury train travel, I’m intrigued to see what other special services are offered by the rest of the UK’s rail operators, too.