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Title: FGW website Post by: James Vertigan on June 20, 2011, 20:33:16 Looks like its had a little refresh today... Not entirely sure I like it though.
http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Default.aspx Seems they've given more prominence to the ticket booking part of the site. Not sure where the service information is going to go should there be a major problem on the network now - although they do now have quite a large "Live updates" button. Title: Re: FGW website Post by: anthony215 on June 20, 2011, 20:55:00 Have just noticed this while having a nose about on it. thought i had mistyped the address for a second.
Title: Re: FGW website Post by: ChrisB on June 20, 2011, 21:12:16 I reckon the ticket-booking box will be given over to major dusruption. Hopefully!
Title: Re: FGW website Post by: JayMac on June 20, 2011, 21:20:43 Still a work in progress by the looks of it. I am liking the larger font. Not all of us have mahoosive widescreen monitors.
Title: Re: FGW website Post by: Ollie on June 20, 2011, 23:14:49 It will probably be similar to what happened previously (content gets pushed down and get big white box)
I don't like it at the moment, it's too patchy. What they have done is nice enough, but they should have done everything, not just the homepage. Title: Re: FGW website Post by: ChrisB on June 21, 2011, 05:23:15 That comes in the autumn, Ollie. A full redesign, I think.
They're already thinking about the new franchise...& looking good! Title: Re: FGW website Post by: Ollie on June 21, 2011, 10:57:36 I know Chris, but that's what I mean that they should have done it all at same time, rather than this patchy job they have done.
Title: Re: FGW website Post by: 6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01 on June 21, 2011, 13:31:46 if you have a massive widescreen monitor..... it looks pretty pants, if not broken don't fix it !!
Title: Re: FGW website Post by: JayMac on June 21, 2011, 16:16:49 All looking much tidier today.
But just what does the new banner sub heading, "best fares online" mean? FGW Advance Purchase are the same price online as at a station. Other operators tickets may be cheaper from their own websites. If I'm travelling to Newcastle, for ease I'll buy both my Advances from eastcoast.co.uk. The Kings Cross to Newcastle one will be 10% cheaper than from FGW online. In that scenario FGW certainly don't offer the "best fares online." Title: Re: FGW website Post by: ChrisB on June 21, 2011, 16:22:03 Maybe that's to come?
Some TOCs sell their own Advance fares cheaper on their own website.... Also, some TOCs sell cheaper Advances online (typically 10%) than at the ticket office....maybe they're going that route? Meanwhile, the Chiltern website seems to have seen the upgraded FGW one and thrown a strop - it's showing Error 503 atm..... :o Title: Re: FGW website Post by: JayMac on June 21, 2011, 16:58:58 Maybe that's to come? Some TOCs sell their own Advance fares cheaper on their own website.... A guess, ChrisB or a bit of inside gen? Would be nice to see FGW offering a discount online on their own AP tickets. ;D Title: Re: FGW website Post by: ChrisB on June 21, 2011, 17:04:24 A guess, unfortunately - but I agree with you. And you never know who might be reading this thread!
Title: Re: FGW website Post by: Kingfisherdart on June 21, 2011, 18:21:24 Has anybody else noticed that the marketing department are ridding everything of 'dynamic lines'? You will no longer find them on local unit repaints, the latest timetables ... and now the website.
L Title: Re: FGW website Post by: Timmer on June 21, 2011, 18:53:01 Yes I had noticed. Must have been decided that the neon lines had become somewhat dated.
Title: Re: FGW website Post by: Kingfisherdart on June 21, 2011, 20:39:53 I believe (and based on the smartness of the power car), the team decided simple was best! I would like to have seem units treated in the same gloss blue as the HSTs, but with more subtle dynamic lines - my belief is that what dated the livery was the purple>light blue gradient in the background, not the lines themselves.
Title: Re: FGW website Post by: 6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01 on June 21, 2011, 21:03:51 the dynamic lines was only ever on intercity stock? why would new units have it.... the reason for the vinyls leaving the power cars.... i have no idea i think it looked better with it, i think i heard once that the heat from the power cars kept messing up the vinyl? .... like i said i dont know for sure, but i do know that the last few times that the fgw livery changed that it was shortly after major accidents ...... coincidence?
Title: Re: FGW website Post by: JayMac on June 21, 2011, 21:29:16 Dynamic lines are everywhere, not just intercity stock. Here's a Class 143 at Temple Meads:
(http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt68/bignosemac/DSCF0101a.jpg) Title: Re: FGW website Post by: 6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01 on June 21, 2011, 21:29:37 actually thats local lines :-p
Title: Re: FGW website Post by: JayMac on June 21, 2011, 21:45:39 You got me! How about the 165/166s? They're dynamic. As is the TPE 185 fleet.
Title: Re: FGW website Post by: 6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01 on June 21, 2011, 21:51:00 well you got me with the turbos :-p, i guess it could also be argued that the local lines is a variation of dynamic lines theme
Title: Re: FGW website Post by: paul7575 on June 21, 2011, 21:54:38 Aren't the Pacers returning from Heaton after overhaul painted in Northern's base blue livery pending their return up North?
That'll explain some of the reduction in the number of local lines vinyled units. Paul Title: Re: FGW website Post by: 6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01 on June 21, 2011, 22:52:16 thats a good point! however the 150/1's dont have local/dynamic lines
Title: Re: FGW website Post by: Kingfisherdart on June 22, 2011, 08:59:54 In saying 'Dynamic Lines', I meant 'Local Lines' too!!
I believe livery policy for the DMUs is for plain blue with pink doors - understand all future repaints will be done in this way. Not sure what it means for the HSTs - hope the lines are kept! Title: Re: FGW website Post by: 6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01 on June 22, 2011, 18:55:02 to be honest i think they look better plain....oh god im getting old and boring?
Title: Re: FGW website Post by: SandTEngineer on June 22, 2011, 20:28:53 I'm all for the blue but why not also paint the top half grey :D :D :D :D
Title: Re: FGW website Post by: JayMac on June 22, 2011, 20:38:55 *Pedant alert*
To return to my point about 'dynamic lines' on the Class 143s. Whilst the exterior of these units is, as relex109 quite rightly pointed out, 'local lines', the seats on board are covered with a 'dynamic lines' cloth! (http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt68/bignosemac/dl143.jpg) :P ;) ;D I'm all for the blue but why not also paint the top half grey :D :D :D :D Ooo yeah. Retro BR colours. I like it! Title: Re: FGW website Post by: devon_metro on June 22, 2011, 22:19:53 All stock has dynamic lines fabric ;)
Title: Re: FGW website Post by: Kingfisherdart on June 22, 2011, 22:55:09 Just to confuse the issue a little more, Devon Metro
The 150/1s don't have Dynamic Lines .... they have Dynamic Squares....... I'll get me coat.... Title: Re: FGW website Post by: devon_metro on June 22, 2011, 23:32:38 Just to confuse the issue a little more, Devon Metro The 150/1s don't have Dynamic Lines .... they have Dynamic Squares....... I'll get me coat.... Think they've got fabric from the Thameslink fleet - as do the Turbos in fact. Title: Re: FGW website Post by: TheLastMinute on June 23, 2011, 18:02:17 Looks like its had a little refresh today... Not entirely sure I like it though. http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Default.aspx Seems they've given more prominence to the ticket booking part of the site. Not sure where the service information is going to go should there be a major problem on the network now - although they do now have quite a large "Live updates" button. Didn't have to wait long to find out... TLM Title: Re: FGW website Post by: Timmer on October 28, 2011, 16:34:44 That comes in the autumn, Ollie. A full redesign, I think. Is this still on track to happen?Title: Re: FGW website Post by: ChrisB on October 28, 2011, 18:07:39 I've heard nothing more, I don't know
Title: Re: FGW website Post by: James Vertigan on November 30, 2011, 14:45:15 Looks like you might have been right - Jo has posted this on the FGW Facebook page - (http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/379061_10150410463596806_345127331805_8749210_850903380_n.jpg)
"Coming soon to a computer/laptop/handheld web browser near you!" Title: Re: FGW website Post by: JayMac on December 01, 2011, 22:32:25 Hope they update the catering pages. Most disappointed to discover that the 'Build Your Own' Burger or Brunch Burger are no longer on the onboard Travelling Chef Menu. :(
Title: Re: FGW website Post by: inspector_blakey on December 08, 2011, 16:10:15 @FGW have just tweeted that the new website is now live. Off to take a look...
Title: Re: FGW website Post by: Timmer on December 08, 2011, 16:52:51 @FGW have just tweeted that the new website is now live. Off to take a look... Great, now they have made the new site live, they need to bring in line with the old website and include the new forthcoming timetables and update the service changes page http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Train-times-and-tickets/Train-times/Planned-changes which is showing what the old site was showing a couple of weeks ago. This is quite an important thing to do as the old site service changes page had the details of services over Christmas and details and timetables for the work taking place at Didcot over Christmas/New Year.Would have thought that would have done that before making it live? Title: Re: FGW website Post by: Timmer on December 08, 2011, 18:26:12 Correction to my above comments. I have found the page regarding Didcot Parkway work under a new section titled Rail Improvements:
http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/About-Us/Rail-improvements/Didcot-to-Oxford-rail-improvements Might be worth linking this section to Service Changes page. Title: Re: FGW website Post by: JayMac on December 08, 2011, 18:41:25 All looks good to me. A few teething troubles with 404 errors on some pages, but I'm sure they'll be ironed out.
I particularly like the site index at the bottom of the homepage. Makes navigation a lot easier. Title: Re: FGW website Post by: JayMac on December 09, 2011, 10:00:19 First impressions were a little off.
Here's what I had to say over on FGW's Facebook page: "New website - No 'Live Updates', no information on 'Rovers and Rangers', out of date menus for 'Travelling Chef', no 'Weekend First' zonal map, no 'Future Timetables' (a new timetable starts on Sunday) and an email newsletter that has a competition that you can't enter because no one thought to update the links. Poor show all round. Why didn't you beta test the new website to allow for just this sort of feedback rather than going live with a dog's breakfast of a site?" Title: Re: FGW website Post by: BerkshireBugsy on December 09, 2011, 11:45:56 Ive just had an email advising of a competition to win some theatre tickets...
Only trouble is if you click on the link you get "Page not found"! Some competition hey? I know I don't normally win these things but a chance to lose genuinely would be appreciated! Title: Re: FGW website Post by: JayMac on December 09, 2011, 13:02:57 I've had a good moan on FGW's Facebook page and I've been assured that the issues raised are being addressed. The mail shot will be sent out again sometime soon with fixed links. I too would like a chance to lose the competition for ^100 worth of theatre tickets....
Title: Re: FGW website Post by: EBrown on December 09, 2011, 14:25:19 I thought it was just me who had a 404 error!!
Much better website, my only thoughts are it seems HST based (no information about disabled access, toilets, first class on turbos) to me. Also, there is no "our trains" page which many TOCs seem to have. Title: Re: FGW website Post by: Louis94 on December 09, 2011, 17:34:24 Looks good, although I noticed it is missing information regarding Rovers and Ranger tickets
Title: Re: FGW website Post by: Chris from Nailsea on December 09, 2011, 23:06:10 ... and the new 'meet the manager' page is most enlightening: see http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/About-Us/Customer-services/Meet-the-Manager ::)
Title: Re: FGW website Post by: JayMac on December 09, 2011, 23:31:38 Indeed. Here's a screen grab from the MtM page:
(http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt68/bignosemac/mtmpage.jpg) ;D :-\ Title: Re: FGW website Post by: Chris from Nailsea on December 10, 2011, 00:43:38 From The Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/8944455/Train-company-website-delayed-by-bad-weather.html):
Quote Train company website ^delayed by bad weather^ First Great Western has sought to distance itself from a statement saying its new website was delayed by ^adverse weather conditions^ on the same day that National Rail Enquiries^ app was slowed by engineering works. Commuters are used to the wrong type of snow and leaves on the line, but only a website run by a train company could use the weather as an excuse for problems. First Great Western issued a press release announcing that its website would be upgraded on Thursday, but its digital creative agency subsequently said ^Due to adverse weather conditions across the country the decision has been made to hold the new site back to avoid any unnecessary disruption to customers accessing the online site.^ A First Great Western spokesman says the second statement was not approved and was ^entirely incorrect^. The agency, 2020, has apologised for issuing a misleading release, and the website was upgraded later than planned on the Thursday. The confusion, which sparked a spike in Twitter traffic, came on the same day as the National Rail Enquiries team issued a tweet that said, ^Apologies if there are delays in replying to your messages this morning, there's some maintenance work on the app we use at the moment^. Twitter users immediately suggested that engineering works had become a problem across every aspect of the rail network. The company did not comment on suggestions that it would also be closing its app for engineering works over Christmas. Title: Re: FGW website Post by: polymath on December 11, 2011, 17:37:20 Following on from previous comments, I thought I would check out the 'new improved' web site today, as it is the start of the new timetable, only to find that the previous timetables are still showing as the 'current' ones. What a poor state of affairs, when an organisation as large as FGW cannot even get this right, let alone all the other failings of the site.
Title: Re: FGW website Post by: Timmer on December 11, 2011, 17:50:57 Following on from previous comments, I thought I would check out the 'new improved' web site today, as it is the start of the new timetable, only to find that the previous timetables are still showing as the 'current' ones. What a poor state of affairs, when an organisation as large as FGW cannot even get this right, let alone all the other failings of the site. The launch of the new FGW website has been disappointing when it comes to the most important part of having a transport related website...information! I am struggling to understand why they launched the site before importing all the latest information from the old site such as new timetables and service changes (engineering work) that were showing on the old site until mid January including Christmas alterations. If you visited the new site looking for information about services over Christmas you would have a job finding it. Surely it would have been better to get everything bang up to date and launch it next week after this weekend's timetable change. Can we have the old up to date site back please until they get these things sorted rather than do it in a live environment? Title: Re: FGW website Post by: Worcester_Passenger on December 12, 2011, 17:06:54 There are some alerts on the 'journeycheck' page this afternoon - but the [expand all] and [Collapse all] buttons don't seem to work.
Title: Re: FGW website Post by: Worcester_Passenger on December 14, 2011, 10:02:22 The choice of colours on the JourneyCheck website is [irony]excellent[/irony]. Dark grey on blue is unreadable:
Title: Re: FGW website Post by: bobm on December 14, 2011, 10:26:29 The choice of colours on the JourneyCheck website is [irony]excellent[/irony]. Dark grey on blue is unreadable: So it wasnt just my eyes ::)Title: Re: FGW website Post by: insider on December 14, 2011, 23:40:46 The choice of colours on the JourneyCheck website is [irony]excellent[/irony]. Dark grey on blue is unreadable: If using Internet Explorer 8 then click on the compatibility mode icon next to URL bar, this will fix the issue as Website is meant to be on a white background as shown in attached screen shot. Title: Re: FGW website Post by: JayMac on December 15, 2011, 00:27:38 And to add, whilst the new FGW website is still a bit of a dog's breakfast the 'Journey Check' pages render fine when using Firefox....
Title: Re: FGW website Post by: Chris from Nailsea on December 15, 2011, 00:31:40 Their 'Meet the Manager' page is, however, still a complete and utter waste of space: http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/About-Us/Customer-services/Meet-the-Manager >:(
Title: Re: FGW website Post by: bobm on April 25, 2012, 13:25:19 The stations page on the FGW website have had a makeover. Like the choice of photo for Swindon!
http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Your-journey/At-the-station (http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Your-journey/At-the-station) Title: Re: FGW website Post by: BerkshireBugsy on April 25, 2012, 13:28:01 The stations page on the FGW website have had a makeover. Like the choice of photo for Swindon! http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Your-journey/At-the-station (http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Your-journey/At-the-station) I somehow think a picture of Reading station in it's current state (a building site) would do much to promote its use! Title: Re: FGW website Post by: Kernow Otter on April 25, 2012, 13:35:26 Any mileage in people submitting a photo of their local station for inclusion on the website. Maybe a competition sponsored by FGW ???
Title: Re: FGW website Post by: BerkshireBugsy on April 25, 2012, 13:40:55 Any mileage in people submitting a photo of their local station for inclusion on the website. Maybe a competition sponsored by FGW ??? If you are eating your lunch look away now... As part of my morning routine when I change trains at Reading and make use of the "facilities" on the main concourse. It amuses me that in "Trap 1" there is a toilet roll held on to the wall by a piece of string. I have been tempted to take a picture of this item and label it "Reading Station Improvements - Work In Progress" but have thought better of it. Title: Re: FGW website Post by: Worcester_Passenger on April 25, 2012, 16:51:27 The stations page on the FGW website have had a makeover. Like the choice of photo for Swindon! But surely, that isn't Swindon.http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Your-journey/At-the-station (http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Your-journey/At-the-station) Can it be the third platform at Bodmin Parkway? Title: Re: FGW website Post by: Kernow Otter on April 25, 2012, 17:32:11 But surely, that isn't Swindon.
Can it be the third platform at Bodmin Parkway? Aye yes it is. Trees, passing loop, platform curvature, and land contour in the back right all tick the Bodmin Road boxes. Well spotted Title: Re: FGW website Post by: Worcester_Passenger on April 25, 2012, 17:40:41 Now there's a subtle nuance - do you mean to say that there are two platforms at Bodmin Parkway but that the third is at Bodmin Road?
Title: Re: FGW website Post by: inspector_blakey on April 25, 2012, 20:03:31 Bit of a shame they went with the obvious and used that clicheed old shot of Hertford College for Oxford station. I'd much rather have a picture of Ahmed's kebab van instead.
Title: Re: FGW website Post by: phile on April 25, 2012, 20:45:02 I have noticed that Live Departures Board has changed. Instead of all trains listed in order Departures and Arrivals have to be requested separately.
Title: Re: FGW website Post by: johoare on April 25, 2012, 22:59:20 Yes Phile I have noticed that too.. I'm back to NR departures board now as FGW new one appears to be from the same source but not as good.. It's a shame though as sometimes it's useful to have departures and arrivals in one place.... aah well.. it's progress... (I think ::))
Title: Re: FGW website Post by: TonyK on April 26, 2012, 19:44:35 I can adapt to anything, except change. The whole Marathon / Snickers thing was a trauma, but I can cope with the new GWR website.
Title: Re: FGW website Post by: tramway on April 26, 2012, 22:04:39 Never eaten a Snicker......I used to enjoy Marathons. :'(
Title: Re: FGW website Post by: BerkshireBugsy on April 27, 2012, 05:18:27 Never eaten a Snicker......I used to enjoy Marathons. :'( ...ditto "Opal Fruits" :) Title: Re: FGW website Post by: smokey on April 27, 2012, 19:14:13 And what happened to "Opal MINTS"
Title: Re: FGW website Post by: BerkshireBugsy on April 27, 2012, 19:26:13 And what happened to "Opal MINTS" Blimey - I had forgotten about those! Title: Re: FGW website Post by: JayMac on April 27, 2012, 22:51:05 And what happened to "Opal MINTS" They became Pacers (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacers_%28confectionery%29). Loved 'em. Grandma used to buy them for me from the sweet counter in Debenhams. No. Nothing to do with Class 14x DMUs. :P ;) ;D Title: Re: FGW website Post by: TonyK on April 27, 2012, 23:04:55 Strewth, my parents had a shop until 1970. They bought a promotional pack of Opal Mints in 1969, and I don't think they've all gone yet. Opal fruits, or Starburst, are like what we used to call British Rail Western Region. Not a bad idea, but unlikely to survive without support from a similar brand.
Title: Re: FGW website Post by: 6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01 on April 28, 2012, 22:36:17 when spangles came out the second time
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