First and the new greater wetsern franchise..

n863dwt · Post by **n863dwt** » Fri Nov 21, 2003 9:13 am

will first rename FGW as first greater Western if they win the franchise.

LucaZone · Post by **LucaZone** » Fri Nov 21, 2003 9:40 am

thought they had won it.

What would be the point of adding 'er'? it sounds .

n863dwt · Post by **n863dwt** » Fri Nov 21, 2003 11:02 am

no...
they won the right to run the Thames Train Franchise untill the winer of the Greater Western Franchise takes over

jjules · Post by **jjules** » Fri Nov 21, 2003 11:07 am

The SRA have announced that the First Group are the preferred bidders. First still have until some time in December to turn down the offer, should they choose to, or whatever. Obviously, they won't.

I too do not see the point of the 'er' part of First Greater Western. LucaZone is right when he says it sounds ..

The Greater Western franchise does not launch until 2006. I think it is blindingly obvious who will win the right to stick their colours everywhere on the trains...I really can't imagine a 165/6/8 is First's pink and purples (throws up at the thought of seeing one in Hereford...), or a Wessex 158...NO!

n863dwt · Post by **n863dwt** » Fri Nov 21, 2003 11:26 am

jjules wrote:The SRA have announced that the First Group are the preferred bidders. First still have until some time in December to turn down the offer, should they choose to, or whatever. Obviously, they won't.

I too do not see the point of the 'er' part of First Greater Western. LucaZone is right when he says it sounds ..

The Greater Western franchise does not launch until 2006. I think it is blindingly obvious who will win the right to stick their colours everywhere on the trains...I really can't imagine a 165/6/8 is First's pink and purples (throws up at the thought of seeing one in Hereford...), or a Wessex 158...NO!

you will not see 168's in first livery as they are alocated to chiltern who have a 20 year franchise...

jjules · Post by **jjules** » Fri Nov 21, 2003 11:27 am

Oh yes, of course. I forgot that TT do not have any 168s. Thank God they don't in this case!

LucaZone · Post by **LucaZone** » Fri Nov 21, 2003 11:48 am

when im back from the states, we'l get to see what a first turbo looks like

jjules · Post by **jjules** » Fri Nov 21, 2003 11:51 am

I don't want to know what they will look like! I'd better get snapping now though, before they take over TT 100%...A trip down London way is looking essential!

Enjoy the USA!

nightbeaver911 · Post by **nightbeaver911** » Fri Nov 21, 2003 2:13 pm

talking of the Wessex 158's that is one v.nice livery. Barbie livery and the name First Greater Western sounds completey ..

jjules · Post by **jjules** » Fri Nov 21, 2003 4:25 pm

I'm in 100% agreement there!

Wessex Trains' livery is brilliant. Personally I prefer the Wales and Borders one, mostly because I've been exposed to theirs much more often than Wessex's. That, and the blue is cool!

158s - Probably the best commuter local train ever!

43s - Best long-distance journey train ever!

simont · Post by **simont** » Fri Nov 21, 2003 4:53 pm

158's may well be "the best commuter local train ever", the trouble is they're too often used on long-distance expresses.

jjules · Post by **jjules** » Fri Nov 21, 2003 4:57 pm

That is very true. Fishguard2Liverpool is too far for a 158, but then the line between Fishguard and Swansea is not suited to a HST.

Manchester Piccadilly2Pembroke/Milford Haven is another example of bad use of 158s, on the surface. However, if you travel down that line, most of the stations are too small for a HST, the speed limit is much lower than its capable of doing, and then there's quite a few stops on the line, so a HST in service instead of a 158 on a local stopper (which is essential beyond Swansea) is not suitable.

nightbeaver911 · Post by **nightbeaver911** » Fri Nov 21, 2003 6:36 pm

jjules wrote:That is very true. Fishguard2Liverpool is too far for a 158, but then the line between Fishguard and Swansea is not suited to a HST.

Thats when Voyager comes in!

jjules · Post by **jjules** » Fri Nov 21, 2003 6:41 pm

Hmm...But 75MPH line speed is wasting anything more than a DMU, capable of 90MPH...

LucaZone · Post by **LucaZone** » Fri Nov 21, 2003 6:43 pm

SuperVoyager then......