FGW rumours

[Flamingo]

Yes, no, and It depends?

("It depends" is probably the correct answer, by the way!)

 

[slilley]

They are much improved from 5 years ago in the South West.
Their customer service is shocking though, and you even get 3 different answers to a Yes/No question if you speak to 3 different people!

In London they are obviously getting to grips with talking to the public. Lucky to get an answer and when you do it is usually no.

 

[Flamingo]

In London, that's probably the correct answer.

 

[richw]

Yes, no, and It depends?

("It depends" is probably the correct answer, by the way!)

Near enough, don't know being the normal third answer.

 

[HowardGWR]

I saw that letter. Odd that he says he 'just walks off at Bristol'. Isn't Temple Meads normally barriered at peak times?

Indeed, It would have been good to hear more.

--- old post above --- --- new post below ---



Not a rumour at all, it is a fairly detailed plan published in the CP5 enhancement plans by NR, called "West of England DMU Capability Works"; project W009.



There are later parts to the project, but that's the bulk of it.

If the 165 (I don't know much about these trains) is what I caught from Basingstoke to Reading (shuttle service) recently, then I do hope they will be equipped with toilets and not having opening windows. On the way back I had a drunk nearby who opened all the windows to avoid passing out in the heat. Good job he didn't need the loo!:roll:

 

[hassaanhc]

If the 165 (I don't know much about these trains) is what I caught from Basingstoke to Reading (shuttle service) recently, then I do hope they will be equipped with toilets and not having opening windows. On the way back I had a drunk nearby who opened all the windows to avoid passing out in the heat. Good job he didn't need the loo!:roll:

The 165s do have toilets! And all opening windows as no air conditioning.

 

[The Ham]

If the 165 (I don't know much about these trains) is what I caught from Basingstoke to Reading (shuttle service) recently, then I do hope they will be equipped with toilets and not having opening windows. On the way back I had a drunk nearby who opened all the windows to avoid passing out in the heat. Good job he didn't need the loo!:roll:

The Basingstoke Reading trains are normally class 150's.

 

[iantherev]

The Basingstoke Reading trains are normally class 150's.

But 150 002 has escaped into the wilds of the South West!

 

[455driver]

But 150 002 has escaped into the wilds of the South West!

They tried to send 150001 down but West fleet refused to accept the pile of poop.




This is not a serious post!

 

[Parallel]

They tried to send 150001 down but West fleet refused to accept the pile of poop.

Well it's been doing what it does best this week according to FGW's journey check website... train faulting.

In all seriousness it probably wouldn't have made it to the depths of the south west alone.

 

[thelongestroad]

If the 165 (I don't know much about these trains) is what I caught from Basingstoke to Reading (shuttle service) recently, then I do hope they will be equipped with toilets and not having opening windows. On the way back I had a drunk nearby who opened all the windows to avoid passing out in the heat. Good job he didn't need the loo!:roll:

Most drunks find the vestibules to puke in, if not the seating..

 

[NX]

Each to their own. As a user of the Severn Beach Line I would gladly see the back of the 2-car Class 150s. We did get 158s in the morning peak until fairly recently: sometimes 2-car, sometimes 3-car and I personally found them quieter and better to travel on.

I heard a rumour at one point last year that at least some of the 165s and 166s were to be deposed from the local services around Reading and possibly sent west! As for the 153s I would keep the 153s for passenger use and convert the 150s to be half-bike rack and half seating: could be used as the middle of 3 carriages. Would cause less irritation on some of the trains I use on the SBL.

Dave

If 158s were diagramed to the Beach line you could more or less kiss goodbye to revenue collection outside the TTE assisted peaks.

There a complete nightmare to work and collect fares, with doors which very slow to close and at the ends of each car only. You'll also be aware the amount of bikes that use the services. Again 158s are totally unsuited to the services down there. A 150, ideally a three car is the best option all round.

--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
To be fair, FGW have a very good MD who (I think) really wants to provide a decent services to the passengers. However we're let down by those in control at DfT won't simply won't allow the company to lease more units.

Increases in TTE staff across the board, increases in traincrew to ensure a robust service the list goes on.

NX

 

[455driver]

increases in traincrew to ensure a robust service the list goes on.

NX

That isnt what the increase in (traincrew) staff is about, there are going to be some 'interesting' times ahead <cough> integration <cough>.

 

[bnm]

To be fair, FGW have a very good MD who (I think) really wants to provide a decent services to the passengers. However we're let down by those in control at DfT won't simply won't allow the company to lease more units.

I'm sure the DfT won't stand in the way if FGW pay the full cost of leasing additional rolling stock themselves.

 

[slilley]

In London, that's probably the correct answer.

Last feb when the signalling at Maidenhead was under a few inches of water and the service ground to a halt, it needed the intervention of Fiona Mactaggart the MP for Slough to get FGW to make arrangements for train tickets to be accepted on local buses during the disruption. FGW's initial response was "no it cant be done".

 

[Flamingo]

Last feb when the signalling at Maidenhead was under a few inches of water and the service ground to a halt, it needed the intervention of Fiona Mactaggart the MP for Slough to get FGW to make arrangements for train tickets to be accepted on local buses during the disruption. FGW's initial response was "no it cant be done".

Your point is?

 

[PHILIPE]

I'm sure the DfT won't stand in the way if FGW pay the full cost of leasing additional rolling stock themselves.

There is no spare stock to lease anyway.

 

[slilley]

Your point is?

Bearing in mind how the service had ground to a halt, usually TOCs make arrangements for their tickets to be used on local buses so people can get to their destinations. It took FGW 5 days to make such arrangements last Feb, which bearing in mind First Group run the local buses is a bit much. When I asked them if they were going to do it, they said it couldn't be done. However when Slough MP Fiona Mactaggert contacted FGW and said it should be done, doors opened and within 24 hours it was possible.

 

[richw]

It took FGW 5 days to make such arrangements last Feb, which bearing in mind First Group run the local buses is a bit much.

Down here it was in place within an hour for First buses to accept train tickets in February. Which was all well and good until they pulled all double decker buses due to high winds following a double decker being blown off the road locally. There was then very few buses in operation as well.

 

[bnm]

I agree with others on this thread and the 'HST 1st Class Refurb' thread that it's unlikely First Group are going ahead with a company wide re-brand and re-livery just yet.

That may well happen though if First Group win the next full length 'Greater Western' franchise. The 'GWR' logo seen on the anti-macassars in the refurbished 1st Class HST coaches has been registered as a trademark by First Greater Western Limited on July 16th 2014. The trademark covers all aspects of use that can be expected for a Train Operating Company.

http://www.ipo.gov.uk/tmcase/Results/1/UK00003064468

Case details for trade mark UK00003064468


List of goods and services

Class 6: Badges of metal for vehicles.

Class 14: Jewellery and jewellery cases; bracelets; brooches; badges of precious metal; horological and chronometric instruments; clocks; watches; stopwatches; watch straps; watch cases; coins; medals; cuff links; tie pins and tie clips.

Class 16: Paper articles; cardboard articles; books; printed publications; printed matter; charts; photographs; maps; timetables; tickets; cards; postcards.

Class 18: Articles of luggage; suitcases; trunks; bags; purses; wallets key cases; umbrellas.

Class 24: Textile goods; curtains; bed covers; bedding; table cloths; tea towels; kitchen towels; hand towels.

Class 25:Clothing; footwear; headgear; belts; ties; bow ties.Class 26Button badges and badges for wear.

Class 27: Carpets; rugs; mats; wallpaper and wall hangings.

Class 29: Meat, fish, poultry and game; meat extracts; preserved, frozen, dried and cooked fruits and vegetables; jellies, jams, compotes; eggs; milk and milk products; edible oils and fats.

Class 30: Coffee, tea, cocoa and artificial coffee; rice; tapioca and sago; flour and preparations made from cereals; bread, pastry and confectionery; ices; sugar, honey, treacle; yeast, baking-powder; salt; mustard; vinegar, sauces (condiments); spices; ice; sandwiches.

Class 32: Beers; mineral and aerated waters and other non-alcoholic beverages; fruit beverages and fruit juices; syrups and other preparations for making beverages.

Class 33: Alcoholic beverages (except beers); wines; sparkling wines.

Class 35: Business management and administration; administration, management and operation of railway stations and rail depots; advertising and promotional services; retail services connected with the sale of badges of metal for vehicles, jewellery and jewellery cases, bracelets, brooches, badges of precious metal, horological and chronometric instruments, clocks, watches, stopwatches, watch straps, watch cases, coins, medals, cuff links, tie pins and tie clips, paper articles, cardboard articles, books, printed publications, printed matter, charts, photographs, maps, timetables, tickets, cards, postcards, articles of luggage, suitcases, trunks, bags, purses, wallets, key cases, umbrellas, textile goods, curtains, bed covers, bedding, table cloths, tea towels, kitchen towels, hand towels, clothing, footwear, headgear, belts, ties, bow ties, button badges and badges for wear, carpets, rugs, mats, wallpaper and wall hangings, meat, fish, poultry and game, meat extracts, preserved, frozen, dried and cooked fruits and vegetables, jellies, jams, compotes, eggs, milk and milk products, edible oils and fats, coffee, tea, cocoa and artificial coffee, rice, tapioca and sago, flour and preparations made from cereals, bread, pastry and confectionery, ices, sugar, honey, treacle; yeast, baking-powder, salt, mustard, vinegar, sauces (condiments), spices, ice, sandwiches, beers, mineral and aerated waters and other non-alcoholic beverages, fruit beverages and fruit juices, syrups and other preparations for making beverages, alcoholic beverages (except beers), wines, sparkling wines; advisory, consultancy and information services relating to all the aforesaid services.

Class 39: Rail transportation services; transportation of passengers and of goods; delivery and storage of goods; courier services; travel agency services; booking and reservation services; timetable, travel and tourist information services; arranging and conducting of tours and sightseeing; escorting of travellers; rail depot and railway station services; provision and operation of railway station facilities; passenger, luggage, cargo and freight handling services; railway train and carriage rental, leasing and chartering service; advisory, consultancy and information services relating to all the aforesaid services.

Class 43: Café, restaurant, bar and catering services; booking services relating to temporary accommodation; arranging of temporary accommodation; advisory, consultancy and information services relating to all the aforesaid services.

Class 45: Lost property services.

Name and Address details

Owner(s) name: First Greater Western Ltd. Milford House, 1 Milford Street, Swindon, United Kingdom, SN1 1HL

 

[Flamingo]

Bearing in mind how the service had ground to a halt, usually TOCs make arrangements for their tickets to be used on local buses so people can get to their destinations. It took FGW 5 days to make such arrangements last Feb, which bearing in mind First Group run the local buses is a bit much. When I asked them if they were going to do it, they said it couldn't be done. However when Slough MP Fiona Mactaggert contacted FGW and said it should be done, doors opened and within 24 hours it was possible.

And were the local bus companies owned by First Group, or were they prepared to accept train tickets before the MP got involved?

Were Network Rail (who owned the track FGW were unable to use) prepared to pay the local bus companies to accept rail tickets?

 

[richw]

I agree with others on this thread and the 'HST 1st Class Refurb' thread that it's unlikely First Group are going ahead with a company wide re-brand and re-livery just yet.

That may well happen though if First Group win the next full length 'Greater Western' franchise. The 'GWR' logo seen on the anti-macassars in the refurbished 1st Class HST coaches has been registered as a trademark by First Greater Western Limited on July 16th 2014. The trademark covers all aspects of use that can be expected for a Train Operating Company.

http://www.ipo.gov.uk/tmcase/Results/1/UK00003064468

Whats next, painting the HSTs in chocolate and cream?

A number of buses are in commemorative liveries including TT03TRU in GWR chocolate and cream. Lets have some trains in commemorative liveries.

TT03TRU by Rich.W., on Flickr

 

[thelongestroad]

I agree with others on this thread and the 'HST 1st Class Refurb' thread that it's unlikely First Group are going ahead with a company wide re-brand and re-livery just yet.

Stranger things have happened.

I'm quite surprised that they can just use GWR off the bat. I imagined it would be owned already.

 

[richw]

Stranger things have happened.

I'm quite surprised that they can just use GWR off the bat. I imagined it would be owned already.

There is no registered trademark or copyright for the GWR name or initials.

I'm assuming due to the company being long since gone.

 

[PermitToTravel]

Were Network Rail (who owned the track FGW were unable to use) prepared to pay the local bus companies to accept rail tickets?

As I'm sure you know Network Rail will have paid FGW compensation for the unavailability of the track.

 

[Busaholic]

And were the local bus companies owned by First Group, or were they prepared to accept train tickets before the MP got involved?

Were Network Rail (who owned the track FGW were unable to use) prepared to pay the local bus companies to accept rail tickets?

FirstGroup ran virtually all local buses in Maidenhead area until about five years ago since when Courtney have established themselves as the major local operator, operating out as far as Bracknell, often in competition with First, who are retrenching further next month in Maidenhead. Hence FGW's reluctance to involve buses?!

 

[Michael.Y]

GWR FM, Great Western Rentals and of course the Gloucestershire-Warwickshire Railway all also use/d GWR as a logo (the Rentals even used the GWR roundel).

 

[Busaholic]

Before I'm corrected, the company is actually Courtenay, I think.

 

[bnm]

There is no registered trademark or copyright for the GWR name or initials.

Well, there is, sort of. But the original GWR roundel is only trademarked for use in some limited circumstances. The Science Museum Group (SCMG Enterprises Limited) have the original GWR roundel trademarked for some limited uses, mostly, it would appear for souvenirs:

http://www.ipo.gov.uk/tmcase/Results/1/UK00002636701

Class 14: Precious metals and their alloys and goods in precious metals or coated therewith, not included in other classes; jewellery; costume jewellery; precious stones and articles made from and/or including precious stones and/or imitations thereof; horological and chronometric instruments, clocks and watches and parts and fittings thereof; cufflinks; pin and lapel badges.

Class 21:Household or kitchen utensils and containers; combs and sponges; brushes (except paint brushes); brush making materials; articles for cleaning purposes; steel wool; unworked or semi worked glass (except glass used in building); glassware, porcelain and earthenware not included in other classes; tableware; china; flasks; electric and non-electric toothbrushes.

I can't see any other trademark ownership of the original GWR roundel, so I'd assume it's in the public domain for other uses that don't infringe on the The Science Museum Group's usage. So, for example, heritage railways, other museums, publishers etc, appear free to use the original GWR Roundel.

The letters 'GWR' alone appear not to be protected, as various companies have used them down the years. With First Greater Western Ltd trademarking their logo version of the three letters just last month.

 

[Flamingo]

FirstGroup ran virtually all local buses in Maidenhead area until about five years ago since when Courtney have established themselves as the major local operator, operating out as far as Bracknell, often in competition with First, who are retrenching further next month in Maidenhead. Hence FGW's reluctance to involve buses?!

Or Courtnay's reluctance to help a rival? I have no idea about why it took five days to sort out acceptance of train tickets on buses in the Maidenhead area, but given all the efforts that I know were being put into things last February, I would be surprised to find that Courtnay's was willing to accept the tickets from day one, and FGW were refusing to allow this!