Great Western Railway (Train Operating Company) - AGreat Western Railway (Train Operating Company) - A Great Western Railway (GWR) is a British train operating company owned by FirstGroup that operates the Greater Western passenger railway franchise. It manages 197 stations and its trains call at over 270. GWR operates long-distance inter-city services along the Great Western Main Line to and from the West of England and South Wales, inter-city services from London to the West Country via the Reading–Taunton line, and the Night Riviera sleeper service between London and Penzance. It also provides commuter and outer-suburban services from its London terminus at Paddington to West London, the Thames Valley region including parts of Berkshire, parts of Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, and regional services throughout the West of England and South Wales to the South coast of England. Great Western Railway also provides and maintains the Electrostar Class 387 fleet for Heathrow Express. The company began operating in February 1996 as Great Western Trains, as part of the privatisation of British Rail. In December 1998, it became First Great Western after FirstGroup bought out its partners' shares in Great Western Holdings. In April 2006, First Great Western, First Great Western Link and Wessex Trains were combined into the new Greater Western franchise and brought under the First Great Western brand. The company adopted its current name and a new livery in September 2015 to coincide with the start of a contract that is due to run until June 2028. Great Western Railway History As part of the privatisation of British Rail, the Great Western InterCity franchise was awarded by the Director of Passenger Rail Franchising to Great Western Holdings in December 1995, and it began operations on 4 February 1996. Great Western Holdings was owned by some former British Rail managers (51%), FirstBus (24.5%) and 3i (24.5%). In March 1998, FirstGroup bought out its partners' stakes to give it 100% ownership. In December 1998, the franchise was rebranded First Great Western. On 1 April 2004, First Great Western Link began operating the Thames Trains franchise. It ran local services from Paddington to Slough, Henley-on-Thames, Reading, Didcot, Oxford, Newbury, Bedwyn, Worcester, Hereford, Banbury and Stratford upon Avon. It also operated services from Reading to Gatwick Airport (via Guildford and Dorking), and from Reading to Basingstoke. On 1 April 2006, the Great Western, Great Western Link and Wessex Trains franchises were combined into a new Greater Western franchise. FirstGroup, National Express and Stagecoach were shortlisted to bid for it. On 13 December 2005, it was announced that FirstGroup had won the franchise. Originally, First planned to subdivide its services into three categories based on routes. Following feedback from staff and stakeholders, the decision was taken to re-brand and re-livery all services as 'First Great Western'. In May 2011, FirstGroup announced that it had decided not to take up the option to extend its franchise beyond the end of March 2013. It stated that, in the light of the £1 billion plan to electrify the Great Western route from London via Bristol to Cardiff, it wished to try to negotiate a longer-term deal. CEO Tim O'Toole said: "We believe we are best placed to manage these projects and capture the benefits through a longer-term franchise." By not taking up the option to extend its original franchise contract for a further three years, FirstGroup avoided having to pay £826.6 million to the government, it received extra subsidies totalling £133 million from the government in 2010. In March 2012, Arriva, FirstGroup, National Express and Stagecoach were shortlisted to bid for the new franchise. The winner was expected to be announced in December 2012, with the new franchisee taking over in April 2013. But it was announced in July 2012 that the franchise would be extended, due to the late issue of the invitation to tender (ITT). The ITT ran from the end of July until October 2012. The winner would have been announced in March 2013, and taken on the franchise from 21 July 2013 until the end of July 2028. The new franchise would include the introduction of new Intercity Express Trains, capacity enhancements and smart ticketing. The award of the franchise was again delayed in October 2012, while the Department for Transport (DfT) reviewed the way rail franchises were awarded. In January 2013, the government announced that the current competition for the franchise had been aborted, and that FirstGroup's contract had been extended until October 2013. A two-year franchise extension until September 2015 was agreed in October 2013, and subsequently extended until March 2019. A further extension to April 2019 was granted in March 2015. The refurbishment of first-class carriages in 2014 included interiors that featured a new GWR logo, with no First branding. The whole company was rebranded Great Western Railway (GWR) on 20 September 2015, with the introduction of a green livery in recognition of the former Great Western Railway which existed between 1835 and 1947. The new livery was introduced when HST interiors were refurbished, and on sleeper carriages and Class 57/6 locomotives. In May 2018, TfL Rail took over services from Paddington to Hayes and Harlington, and in December 2019 it took over some stopping services to Reading. In March 2020, a further extension to 31 March 2023 was awarded by the DfT with an option to extend for a further year. In June 2022, the company's franchise was replaced by the DfT with a direct award contract that expires on 25 June 2028, with an option to extend for a further three years. GWR is one of several train operators impacted by the 2022–2023 United Kingdom railway strikes, which are the first national rail strikes in the UK for three decades. Its workers are amongst those who are participating in industrial action due to a dispute over pay and working conditions. Great Western Railway Routes Great Western Railway operates routes west of London including those towards south west England, Gloucestershire, Hereford and South Wales. The following is a simplified list of off-peak weekday service from the May 2023 timetables. Great Western Railway Intercity Great Western Railway London to South Wales
Reading, Swindon, Bristol Parkway, Newport
Reading, Swindon, Bristol Parkway, Newport, Cardiff Central, Bridgend, Port Talbot Parkway, Neath 7 trains per day continue to Carmarthen, calling at Gowerton (limited), Llanelli, Pembrey & Burry Port, Kidwelly (limited) and Ferryside (limited) On Summer Saturdays, 2 trains per day run to Pembroke Dock, calling at all stations between Carmarthen and Pembroke Dock Great Western Railway London to Bristol and Somerset
Reading, Didcot Parkway, Swindon, Chippenham, Bath Spa 1 train every 2 hours continues towards Weston-super-Mare, calling at Nailsea and Backwell, Yatton and Worle. Great Western Railway London to Devon and Cornwall
Reading, Newbury, Hungerford (irregular), Pewsey, Westbury, Castle Cary, Taunton, Tiverton Parkway (irregular) 2 trains per day continue to Paignton, calling at Dawlish, Teignmouth, Newton Abbot, Torre and Torquay 3 trains per day continue to Plymouth, calling at Dawlish, Teignmouth, Newton Abbot, Totnes and Ivybridge
Reading, Taunton, Tiverton Parkway, Exeter St Davids, Newton Abbot, Totnes Trains alternate with Penzance services to provide an hourly service to Plymouth. During the summer months, 1 train per day continues to Newquay, calling at Saltash, St Germans, Liskeard, Bodmin Parkway and Par
Reading, Taunton, Tiverton Parkway, Exeter St Davids, Newton Abbot, Totnes, Plymouth, Liskeard, Bodmin Parkway, Par, St Austell, Truro, Redruth, Camborne, St Erth. Trains alternate with Plymouth services to provide an hourly service to that station. Great Western Railway London to Oxford and The Cotswolds
ReadingDidcot Parkway
Reading, Oxford, Hanborough, Charlbury, Kingham, Moreton-in-Marsh, Honeybourne, Evesham, Pershore, Worcestershire Parkway, Worcester Shrub Hill, Worcester Foregate Street, Malvern Link 4 trains per day continue to Hereford calling at Colwall and Ledbury. 1 train terminates at Worcester Shrub Hill. 4 trains per day terminate at Worcester Foregate Street.
Reading, Didcot Parkway, Swindon, Kemble, Stroud, Stonehouse, Gloucester[a] One train per day continues to Worcester Shrub Hill calling at Ashchurch for Tewkesbury. Great Western Railway Thames Valley Great Western Mainline
Slough, Maidenhead, Twyford, Reading, Tilehurst, Pangbourne, Goring & Streatley, Cholsey Great Western Railway Reading–Taunton Line
Reading, Theale, Thatcham
Reading West, Theale, Aldermaston, Midgham, Thatcham, Newbury Racecourse
Kintbury, Hungerford One train runs non-stop from Newbury to Bedwyn. Great Western Railway Greenford Branch
Drayton Green, Castle Bar Park, South Greenford Great Western Railway Windsor Branch
Shuttle service Great Western Railway Marlow Branch
Furze Platt, Cookham, Bourne End[a] Great Western Railway Regatta Line
Wargrave, Shiplake Great Western Railway North Downs Line
Wokingham, Blackwater, North Camp, Guildford, Dorking Deepdene, Reigate, Redhill[a]
Wokingham, Crowthorne, Sandhurst, Blackwater, Farnborough North, North Camp, AshGuildford, Shalford, Chilworth (1tp2h), Gomshall (1tp2h), Dorking West (1tp2h), Dorking Deepdene, Betchworth (1tp2h), Reigate Trains either serve Chilworth and Gomshall, or Dorking West and Betchworth. Great Western Railway Reading–Basingstoke Line
Reading West, Reading Green Park, Mortimer, Bramley Great Western Railway Oxford Canal Line
Appleford (irregular), Culham (irregular), Radley One train every two hours extends to Banbury, calling at Tackley, Heyford and Kings Sutton. Non-stop services between Didcot Parkway and Oxford are provided irregularly. Great Western Railway Bristol Great Western Railway Wessex Mainline
Newport, Filton Abbey Wood, Bristol Temple Meads, Bath Spa, Bradford-on-Avon, Trowbridge, Westbury, Dilton Marsh (limited) [b], Warminster, Salisbury, Romsey, Southampton Central, Fareham, Cosham, Fratton, Portsmouth & Southsea Great Western Railway South Wales to Devon and Cornwall
Newport, Severn Tunnel Junction, Patchway, Filton Abbey Wood, Bristol Temple Meads, Nailsea & Backwell, Yatton, Worle, Weston-super-Mare, Highbridge & Burnham, Bridgwater, Taunton, Tiverton Parkway, Exeter St Davids, Dawlish, Teignmouth, Newton Abbot, Totnes, Ivybridge, Plymouth, Devonport, Dockyard[b], Keyham, St Budeaux Ferry Road, Saltash, St Germans, Menheniot, Liskeard, Bodmin Parkway, Lostwithiel, Par, St Austell, Truro, Redruth, Camborne, Hayle, St Erth Hourly service between Cardiff Central and Taunton with most services extended to and from Penzance, other services operate only between Exeter St Davids or Plymouth to and from Penzance Great Western Railway Bristol and Somerset
Newport, Severn Tunnel Junction, Patchway, Filton Abbey Wood, Bristol Temple Meads, Nailsea & Backwell, Yatton, Worle, Weston-super-Mare, Highbridge & Burnham, Bridgwater Alternates with services between Cardiff Central and Penzance to provide an hourly service on this route
Weston Milton, Worle, Yatton, Nailsea and Backwell, Parson Street, Bedminster, Bristol Temple Meads, Lawrence Hill, Stapleton Road, Montpelier, Redland, Clifton Down, Sea Mills, Shirehampton, Portway Park & Ride
Lawrence Hill, Stapleton Road, Montpelier, Redland, Clifton Down, Sea Mills, Shirehampton, Portway Park & Ride, Avonmouth, St Andrews Road
Lawrence Hill, Stapleton Road Great Western Railway Gloucester and the Heart of Wessex Line
Yate, Bristol Parkway, Filton Abbey Wood, Bristol Temple Meads, Keynsham, Oldfield Park, Bath Spa, Bradford-on-Avon, Trowbridge, Westbury, Frome, Bruton, Castle Cary, Yeovil Pen Mill, Thornford[b], Yetminster[b], Chetnole[b], Maiden Newton, Dorchester West, Upwey Alternates with services from Gloucester to Westbury to provide an hourly service between those stations
Yate, Bristol Parkway, Filton Abbey Wood, Bristol Temple Meads, Keynsham, Oldfield Park, Bath Spa, Bradford-on-Avon, Trowbridge 2 trains per day continue to Frome Alternates with services from Gloucester to Weymouth to provide an hourly service on this route
Worcester Shrub Hill, Ashchurch, Cheltenham Spa, Gloucester[a], Cam & Dursley, Yate, Bristol Parkway, Filton Abbey Wood
Keynsham, Oldfield Park, Bath Spa, Freshford, Avoncliff, Bradford-on-Avon, Trowbridge, Dilton Marsh[b] (irregular), Warminster Some services terminate at Warminster Great Western Railway Trans-Wilts Line
Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge Great Western Railway West of England Great Western Railway Cornish Mainline
Devonport (limited), Dockyard (limited)[b], Keyham (limited), St Budeaux Ferry Road (limited), Saltash, St Germans, Menheniot (irregular), Liskeard, Bodmin Parkway, Lostwithiel, Par, St Austell, Truro, Redruth, Camborne, Hayle, St Erth Alternates with services to/from Cardiff Central Great Western Railway Avocet and Riviera Lines
Lympstone Village, Lympstone Commando (1tph)[b], Exton (1tph)[b], TopshamNewcourt, Digby and Sowton, Polsloe Bridge (1tph), St James Park (1tph), Exeter Central, Exeter St Davids[a], Exeter St Thomas (1tph), Marsh Barton (1tph), Starcross (1tph), Dawlish Warren (1tph), Dawlish, Teignmouth, Newton Abbot, Torre, Torquay Trains either serve Lympstone Commando, Exton, Polsloe Bridge, and St James Park, or Exeter St Thomas, Marsh Barton, Starcross, and Dawlish Warren. Great Western Railway Dartmoor and Tarka Lines
Exeter St Davids, Newton St Cyres[b] (irregular), Crediton
Exeter St Davids, Newton St Cyres (limited)[b], Crediton, Yeoford[b], Copplestone, Morchard Road[b], Lapford (limited)[b], Eggesford, Kings Nympton (limited)[b], Portsmouth Arms (limited)[b], Umberleigh[b], Chapelton (limited)[b] 1 train per day continues from Exeter Central to Axminster, calling at Pinhoe, Cranbrook, Fenitonand Honiton. Great Western Railway Tamar Valley Line
Devonport, Dockyard[b], Keyham, St Budeaux Victoria Road, Bere Ferrers, Bere Alston, Calstock Great Western Railway Looe Valley Line
Coombe Junction Halt (2tpd)[a], St Keyne Wishing Well Halt (1tp2h)[b], Causeland (1tp2h)[b], Sandplace (1tp2h)[b] One train every 2 hours runs non-stop between Liskeard and Looe. Great Western Railway Atlantic Coast Line
Luxulyan[b], Bugle[b], Roche[b], St Columb Road[b], Quintrell Downs Great Western Railway Maritime Line
Perranwell (1tph), Penryn, Penmere, Falmouth Town Great Western Railway St Ives Bay Line
Lelant Saltings (1tpd), Lelant (1tp2h)[b], Carbis Bay ^:a b c d e f Trains reverse ^:a b c d e aa Request stop Great Western Railway Overview Great Western Railway Franchise(s): InterCity Great Western 4 February 1996 – 31 March 2006 Greater Western 1 April 2006 – 25 June 2028 Main Region(s): Greater London, South East England, South West England, Wales Great Western Railway Other Region(s): East MidlandsWest Midlands Great Western Railway Fleet Size: 12 Class 43 HST Castle sets 5 Class 57 diesel locomotives for 2 Night Riviera sleeper sets 19 Class 150 Sprinter units 18 Class 158 Express Sprinter units 36 Class 165 Networker Turbo units 21 Class 166 Networker Turbo units 30 Class 387 Electrostar units 57 Class 800 IET units 36 Class 802 IET units Great Western Railway Stations Called At: over 270 Great Western Railway Stations Operated: 198 Great Western Railway Parent Company: FirstGroup Reporting Mark: GW Great Western Railway Predecessor: First Great Western Link Wessex Trains Great Western Railway Technical Track Gauge: 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge Great Western Railway Electrification: 25 kV 50 Hz AC OHLE Great Western Railway Length: 1,323.0 mi (2,129.2 km) | |||||
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