Great Western Coffee Shop

South Western Railways (First / MTR) replaces South West Trains (Stagecoach) today, drawing to a close the final franchise that's not changed hands since privatisation.

New website at:

https://www.southwesternrailway.com

New branding:

(http://www.wellho.net/pix/swr.jpg)

I see it has an on-line customer forum.  Wonder where that idea came from?

They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, though frankly this is not imitation.   Likely to be far stronger in being able to get official answers, but may lack the ability to discuss aspects which are critical of the operator ... we will see.

...............and if it's anything like it's "sister" franchise GWR, the conversation may be rather one sided as you'll be waiting a couple of months for a response!

Hmmm....something familiar about their Delays & Disruption Policy document in this website....its still in South West Trains corporate colours!!

I note from the SWR Passenger’s Charter that existing Season Ticket holders are well covered.

If they bought/buy their Season Ticket before the introduction of Delay Repay on 4th September 2017, they will be able to claim for both punctuality and reliability discounts on renewal (if any) and, from 4th September 2017, be able to claim for individual journey delays under Delay Repay.

Also. SWR's Twitter: @SW_Help

Similar to Chiltern then. Season holders get both the compensation for seasons and can claim for individual delays like single tickets get. And have done since franchise inception. Best desl from any TOC

Must be mild OCD but the Typeface and Logo combo looks horribly 'unbalanced' surely that wasn't designed on purpose to be like that.

My first journey with SWR today was from Raynes Park to Bookham. The only difference seen was the CIS display showing "SWR service to.." and the automated announcements. Still voiced by Phil Sayer, he now says "the xx.xx South" with another voice which is deeper saying "Western Railway" then returning to Phil. Didn't see any new branding at the station or on the train. Probably too soon for that.

It would obviously be very difficult to have Phil Sayer do any re-recording.

I expect there will be a whole new suite of recordings for "South Western Railway" in the near future. 

Didn't he voice "Great Western Railway" for SWT stations where GWR called?

With a bit of editing they could have got "South Western Railway"

That's what I think they've definitely done.  The service operator part of the announcements sounds quite reasonable, I think if you're looking for it you can spot the slight difference in tone, but I doubt many people will treat it as an issue...

Interesting that they have done absolutely nothing with the various Desiros I was on today, obviously nothing externally yet,  but surprisingly nothing internally either.   When you remember that some franchise handovers have left the interior signs, posters, safety stuff etc looking like someone has gone mad with a felt tip marker it seems unusually quiet so far...

Paul

Wasn't there mention somewhere that it would be a very soft launch until the Waterloo upgrade is completed.

A press launch with a fully reliveried unit or two once Waterloo is back to full capacity.

Yes, 4th September.   It was on one of the websites aimed more at staff than the public, but was quite categoric.   I think if I was planning it I'd want to do it on one of the newly modified 10 car platforms on the main suburban side, and even if their own new stock isn't here yet, there's not much to stop them using a couple of 707s...

Paul

First/MTR can continue using SWT/South West Trains trademarks, logos and liveries for as long as they want, should they so want.

I've just learnt that they are owned by HMG (in the name of the SoS for Transport) and not Stagecoach.

An explanation of that symbol via https://twitter.com/SW_Help/status/899098638378520576

to which I was directed in an answer on this ...

No problem with the logo and its derivation, however the accompanying typeface and the positioning thereof is atrocious, looks so amateurish, unbalanced and rushed.

They probably paid big money to a marketing company to come up with that then you come along and have a pop at it  :o  ;) ;D

The main colours are inverted on the time table leaflets which looks better to me although the very dark blue is a bit funereal.

(https://i.gyazo.com/186cadb971aff2d87233125aa238a557.jpg)

At least it's clear and easy to read, unlike... some.

I kind of liked the orange and blue stripe of SWT. I wouldn't say it was pretty though. The new company's logo is a bit too clever, I feel.

Used their web site today to book a ticket as GWR's site would not load the payment page.  Mixing deck as GWR.  They give Nectar points on all bookings.

I have now seen three versions. They all have the logo on the left but the wording takes up either 1, 2 or 3 lines.

Curiously, an advert for South West Trains – not South Western Railways – came up on the National Rail app on my phone this morning.

Just wondering what is happening with the 6 free weekend tickets a year for season ticket holders? From what I can see on the website it seems like they won't be doing it anymore, but can we use up the ones we have already?

The FAQ and answer:

Hooray! I still have a few left. It's a shame I won't get any more next year. They've saved me hundreds of pounds over the last few years.

Bit like the disjointed announcements on the new FGW Electrostars then.

First Class promoted much more prominently on the website than was the case with SWT, including the weekday free drink before 10am and revised (upward) weekend upgrade prices, now in zones as per GWR, which is now £15 to Exeter stations from Waterloo

Following the completion of the Waterloo upgrade South Western Railway had their officially launch today and unveiled one of their trains in their new livery.

(http://www.mbob.co.uk/rforum/swrarr.jpg)

(http://www.mbob.co.uk/rforum/swrgen1.jpg)

(http://www.mbob.co.uk/rforum/swrgen2.jpg)

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling was there to see proceedings and warned the franchisee that he is a regular commuter into Waterloo.

He was presented with an artist's impression of the new class 701 Aventura trains by SWR MD Andy Mellors. The five and ten coach trains are to be built by Bombardier.

(http://www.mbob.co.uk/rforum/swrpres.jpg)

Not much talk of future plans but First Group Chief Executive Tim O'Toole did announce 100,000 half price advance tickets would be going on sale - https://www.southwesternrailway.com/destinations-and-offers/offers/launch-offer (https://www.southwesternrailway.com/destinations-and-offers/offers/launch-offer)

I still think the new "arrow" logo is a bit too fussy and I'm afraid the diagonal shading/stripes make it worse. It all looks a bit corporate 90s. Looks better from a distance than close too though.

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DI9JZRhXUAAAoQN.jpg)
(South Western Railway via Twitter)

Seems the grey/dark navy has been 'borrowed' from MTR's fleet
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e3/C-Train_going_to_Yau_Ma_Tei.JPG/800px-C-Train_going_to_Yau_Ma_Tei.JPG)
(Wiki - no restrictions)

The logo looks fine when featured on the rolling stock.