Train GraphicClick on the map to explore geographics
 
I need help
FAQ
Emergency
About .
Travel & transport from BBC stories as at 10:35 29 Mar 2024
* Bus plunges off South Africa bridge, killing 45
* Easter getaway begins with flood alerts in place
Read about the forum [here].
Register [here] - it's free.
What do I gain from registering? [here]
 02/06/24 - Summer Timetable starts
17/08/24 - Bus to Imber
27/09/25 - 200 years of passenger trains

On this day
29th Mar (1913)
Foundation of National Union or Railwaymen (*)

Train RunningCancelled
09:00 Gatwick Airport to Reading
09:46 Westbury to Swindon
10:22 Newbury to Bedwyn
10:55 Bedwyn to Newbury
11:05 Swindon to Westbury
11:29 Newbury to Bedwyn
11:57 Bedwyn to Newbury
12:17 Westbury to Swindon
12:52 Bedwyn to Newbury
13:15 Swindon to Westbury
14:19 Westbury to Swindon
15:14 Swindon to Westbury
16:23 Westbury to Swindon
17:36 Swindon to Westbury
18:37 Westbury to Swindon
20:13 Swindon to Westbury
21:16 Westbury to Swindon
22:30 Swindon to Westbury
Short Run
06:37 Plymouth to London Paddington
07:03 London Paddington to Paignton
08:35 Plymouth to London Paddington
09:30 Weymouth to Gloucester
09:37 London Paddington to Paignton
10:35 London Paddington to Exeter St Davids
Delayed
06:05 Penzance to London Paddington
07:10 Penzance to London Paddington
08:03 London Paddington to Penzance
08:15 Penzance to London Paddington
09:04 London Paddington to Plymouth
10:00 London Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads
10:04 London Paddington to Penzance
11:03 London Paddington to Plymouth
PollsOpen and recent polls
Closed 2024-03-25 Easter Escape - to where?
Abbreviation pageAcronymns and abbreviations
Stn ComparatorStation Comparator
Rail newsNews Now - live rail news feed
Site Style 1 2 3 4
Next departures • Bristol Temple MeadsBath SpaChippenhamSwindonDidcot ParkwayReadingLondon PaddingtonMelksham
Exeter St DavidsTauntonWestburyTrowbridgeBristol ParkwayCardiff CentralOxfordCheltenham SpaBirmingham New Street
March 29, 2024, 10:42:33 *
Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length
Forgotten your username or password? - get a reminder
Most recently liked subjects
[132] Infrastructure problems in Thames Valley causing disruption el...
[56] would you like your own LIVE train station departure board?
[52] West Wiltshire Bus Changes April 2024
[51] Reversing Beeching - bring heritage and freight lines into the...
[46] Return of the BRUTE?
[32] 2024 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury...
 
News: A forum for passengers ... with input from rail professionals welcomed too
 
   Home   Help Search Calendar Login Register  
Pages: 1 [2] 3 4 ... 7
  Print  
Author Topic: Serco and the Caledonian Sleeper franchise  (Read 55640 times)
JayMac
Data Manager
Hero Member
******
Posts: 18895



View Profile
« Reply #15 on: May 28, 2014, 18:43:02 »

From the Herald Scotland:

Quote
New English operator of Caledonian sleepers says: we'll see out rail deal, no matter indyref vote

New Caledonian Sleeper operator Serco has pledged to see out its 15-year contract regardless of the outcome of the independence referendum.

Serco said it would improve the service with new trains, Scottish procurement and potentially more jobs.

Chief executive Rupert Soames was a vocal critic of independence as head of Aggreko, but Serco said it has no plans to invoke the seven-year break clause in the event of independence.

Scottish Transport Minister Keith Brown insisted the constitution is "not a material consideration", but confirmed the break clause had been agreed to take stock of changing economic circumstances.

Rail unions have attacked the decision to take the sleeper out of Scottish hands and give it to an English company with Spanish trains and "a truly shocking track record in the delivery of public services".

Mr Brown said ministers "had no choice", and insisted the appointment will herald "a new beginning" for the service.

Jamie Ross, business development manager at Serco, said: "We are fully committed to a 15-year contract. Our new chief executive joined a month ago and totally immersed himself in the sleeper bid. The break clause is something that we have not discussed, and wouldn't discuss. There are no plans for staff reductions. Because this is being split out from the main ScotRail franchise, if anything the total number of people employed will go up. There's a huge push to get local suppliers involved, most obviously in food and drink but also in getting things like Shetland blankets, so benefits flow out much wider than the network."

Mr Brown said the current sleeper is "less than ideal" and Serco offers "a dramatically improved prospect at a reduced price".

He said: "I had a conversation with Rupert yesterday. We didn't discuss Scottish independence, we just talked about the procurement process. (Independence) wouldn't be a material consideration for them although we have seen in the past different franchise operators essentially ditching the contracts, in the East Coast Main Line for example, although we have no intention to see this change. It's a 15-year contract and that's what we intend to see through. There is an option to break after seven years. Things may change over seven years. "

"One of the problems with the UK (United Kingdom) franchise is, if you think of the East Coast Main Line fiasco, the difficulty people have in bidding for contracts well into the future judging for inflation and other economic circumstances. So both in this franchise and the main franchise we have built in that break period to take account of what's happening at that time, but it's not our intention to break the contract and I think Serco, who are extremely pleased to have won this, have any intention of breaking it either. There's nothing in the contract either on our side or on their side that says that the constitution has changed so therefore the circumstances change for the contract."

There is a "substantial financial penalty" if the contract is broken, he said.

Mick Cash, acting general secretary at the RMT (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers) union, said Serco has "a truly shocking track record in the delivery of public services", and any threat to jobs and conditions "will be met with fierce resistance including the use of industrial action".

Manuel Cortes, leader of the TSSA» (Transport Salaried Staffs' Association - about) rail union, said: "This decision flies in the face of everything (Scottish First Minister) Alex Salmond has been saying about an independent, financially strong Scotland. He has taken the contract away from a Perth-based Scottish firm and handed it to an English-based firm which will be given a ^60 million subsidy to build new trains in Spain. How does that create any new jobs in his dreamland of an independent Scotland?"

Mick Whelan, general secretary of train drivers' union Aslef, said: "No-one has taken on board the concerns of the staff who are currently involved, and their futures. We shall be contacting all parties on behalf of our members."

Mr Brown added: "We have no choice in (the franchise), we have to go with who wins the bid and the best bid came from Serco. The UK Government, Glasgow City Council and the Welsh Government deal with Serco. We don't like the franchise process, not least because you have the absurd anomaly whereby state-owned companies from the rest of Europe can bid but you can't have a public sector bid from the UK. It just doesn't make sense and it disadvantages UK industry. French, Dutch or German state-owned companies like Arriva can have a large part of the UK network but UK state-owned companies can't. The UK Labour Government had two chances to change that and didn't. The Scottish Government has no power to change the franchise system but hope to do it with independence."

Mr Ross added: "Serco works with all sorts of contracting models, very often partnering public sector bodies. The Scottish Government's aspirations to introduce new entrants, perhaps from the public sector, isn't something that we would be wary of."

The ever predictable unions come out shooting first and asking questions later. It would appear than Manuel Cortes of the TSSA knows little about the companies his members work for. He appears to be confusing Stagecoach (Perth) with FirstGroup (Aberdeen).  Roll Eyes
Logged

"Build a man a fire and he'll be warm for the rest of the day. Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life."

- Sir Terry Pratchett.
JayMac
Data Manager
Hero Member
******
Posts: 18895



View Profile
« Reply #16 on: May 28, 2014, 19:25:35 »

Transport Scotland have now published a brochure outlining their vision for the Caledonian Sleeper for the next 15 years:

http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/system/files/documents/tsc-basic-pages/Rail/Caledonian%20Sleeper/Caledonian%20Sleeper%20Briefing%20v5.pdf
Logged

"Build a man a fire and he'll be warm for the rest of the day. Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life."

- Sir Terry Pratchett.
grahame
Administrator
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 40691



View Profile WWW Email
« Reply #17 on: May 28, 2014, 19:55:37 »

The new fleet, representing an investment of over ^100m, is expected to be introduced by the summer of 2018.  Reflecting their aspirations for the service, this is part-funded by a ^60m capital grant from Scottish Ministers.  The fleet, to be built by leading rolling stock manufacturer CAF, will be leased to Serco by Beacon Rail.  Significant improvements include ...

Would it be logical for Beacon Rail to order a run-on (and get the benefit of lower unit cost based on volume) for two more trains plus some spares to run the Night Riviera?
Logged

Coffee Shop Admin, Acting Chair of Melksham Rail User Group, Option 24/7 Melksham Rep
JayMac
Data Manager
Hero Member
******
Posts: 18895



View Profile
« Reply #18 on: May 28, 2014, 20:14:39 »

Only if they'd have a guarantee from DfT» (Department for Transport - about) of a customer to lease them...

Nothing about new rolling stock for the Night Riviera in the current consultation for Greater Western as far as I'm aware.
Logged

"Build a man a fire and he'll be warm for the rest of the day. Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life."

- Sir Terry Pratchett.
bobm
Administrator
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 9810



View Profile
« Reply #19 on: May 28, 2014, 21:21:47 »

Transport Scotland have now published a brochure outlining their vision for the Caledonian Sleeper for the next 15 years:

http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/system/files/documents/tsc-basic-pages/Rail/Caledonian%20Sleeper/Caledonian%20Sleeper%20Briefing%20v5.pdf

Interesting reading.  I like most of it apart from the idea of themed evenings in the Club Car.  I'd much rather a quiet drink and a meal - but then as an old codger I suppose I can always retire to the much improved sleeper berth...
Logged
JayMac
Data Manager
Hero Member
******
Posts: 18895



View Profile
« Reply #20 on: May 28, 2014, 21:24:13 »

... or hire a kilt and join in with a Highland Dance as you speed through Watford.  Grin
Logged

"Build a man a fire and he'll be warm for the rest of the day. Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life."

- Sir Terry Pratchett.
bobm
Administrator
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 9810



View Profile
« Reply #21 on: May 28, 2014, 21:26:28 »

I may have a tartan - but I sure as hell don't have the legs for a kilt!
Logged
SDS
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 772


Badgerline


View Profile
« Reply #22 on: May 29, 2014, 20:50:01 »

Serco also operate a global call centre business, providing Customer Services for the likes of National Rail Enquiries and, er, First Great Western.

Serco took it over from Intelinet Global (Indian Based Company) who in turn took it over from First Info. They also take East Coast calls at Intercity House (Plymouth) as well now.
Logged

I do not work for FGW (First Great Western) and posts should not be assumed and do not imply they are statements, unless explicitly stated that they are, from any TOC (Train Operating Company) including First Great Western.
John R
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 4416


View Profile
« Reply #23 on: May 29, 2014, 22:20:10 »

The criticism by the unions of the decision to award the rolling stock order to CAF is an interesting one.  An order of 72 vehicles of a new design of loco hauled stock will be relatively expensive, even before the sleeper related elements are added. The UK (United Kingdom) hasn't ordered or built any conventional loco hauled stock for many years, whereas I'm guessing that with loco haulage still being used across Europe, maybe CAF have a design off the shelf that they can adapt for sleeper service.

I've thought for a while that the idea of flat beds along the lines of Club Class on airlines would be an acceptable compromise that enables more passengers and thus maximises revenue. After all, if its good enough for long haul flights, why shouldn't it be good enough for similar length journeys by rail.

 
Logged
JayMac
Data Manager
Hero Member
******
Posts: 18895



View Profile
« Reply #24 on: May 29, 2014, 23:01:18 »

The carriages to be built by CAF for the Caledonian Sleeper will likely be a bespoke design to fit both the UK (United Kingdom)'s track and loading gauges. I believe CAF last built dedicated sleeper carriages in 2008 for the Hungarian State Railway.

No doubt there will be use of suitable components off the shelf from CAFs extensive range, but I don't think they've an existing design that can be adapted for the Caley.
Logged

"Build a man a fire and he'll be warm for the rest of the day. Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life."

- Sir Terry Pratchett.
JayMac
Data Manager
Hero Member
******
Posts: 18895



View Profile
« Reply #25 on: June 01, 2014, 10:17:14 »

A magazine article from the BBC» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

Quote
The 1980s time-warp of the London-Scotland sleeper train

Across Europe, sleeper trains seem more and more of a quaint anachronism, but the UK (United Kingdom) is overhauling an old and famous overnight route, writes Adrian Quine.

The overnight sleepers running between London and Scotland, are about to get a much needed facelift. The Scottish Government announced this week it is jointly funding a ^100m investment in new trains that promise a four-class service with a bar and bistro, sleeping pods, private cabins with beds, desks, wi-fi - even showers. Michelin-star chef Albert Roux is doing the catering. UK firm Serco, which runs the Ghan and Indian Pacific trains in Australia, has been awarded the sleeper contract. The current trains haemorrhage public money and the sleepers were almost scrapped altogether when the railways were privatised in the mid-1990s.

An outcry from an eclectic mix of peers, landowners, walkers and train buffs kicked off a high-profile campaign. The slogan "The Deerstalker Express" was born and the trains became so popular passengers had to book months in advance. Red-faced civil servants gave up and safeguarded the trains for a further 18 years.

Despite being badly marketed and suffering from cramped 30-year-old trains, the sleepers have retained a loyal, almost cult following. For anyone who has travelled on them on a regular basis - me included - it's not difficult to see why they are held in such affection.

The experience of being rocked to sleep as the train speeds through the Home Counties to wake up to the vast wilderness of Rannoch moor is pleasantly disorientating.

The sun rises over Rannoch Moor

Even the train's staff find the experience exhilarating. Driver Robert Buchanan recalls getting a knock on his locomotive cab door as the sun rose over the West Highlands to find the Duke of Gloucester, plus his two black Labradors, asking if he might be allowed to come up for a ride. "It's the most enviable job," he says. "Everybody wants to drive the Scottish sleeper."

Certainly the atmosphere aboard the train is about as far removed from the 08:24 commuter train from Basingstoke to Waterloo as you can get. Passengers mingle in the lounge car - a curious mix of captains of industry, politicians, academics, landowners, hikers and train buffs. Most are regulars - many on first name terms with the crew. The surroundings are replete with 1980s style furnishings. The lounge cars are the only coaches in Britain with loose seats of aluminium-tube design, looking like something out of a discotheque. The walls are carpeted and the spotlights subdued, all adding to the rather obscure time-warp sensation.

Caledonian Sleeper, lounge

The stewards tend to passengers' every whim with a dog-eared cardboard menu that consists of tins of Baxters soup, "haggis, neeps and tatties" or a standard-issue pre-packed bacon roll - all heated up in the "pantry" microwave. What the food lacks in culinary finesse is made up for at the bar. By the time the train reaches Crewe, passengers are often pretty merry - discretion thrown to the wind. Wily journalists can regularly find out more about what is going on in the corridors of power between London and Crewe than during a whole week at Westminster.

A sleeper steward told me a story once that, had it not been in the first person, I would have sworn was apocryphal. In the lounge car, after several drams, a female passenger became acquainted with a male oil worker. Sleeping in adjacent coaches that night, she eventually sneaked down the corridor. But unbeknown to either of them, the train split in the small hours of the morning and she woke to find herself admiring the view of the North Sea near Aberdeen as her clothes and belongings pulled into Crianlarich, 100 miles to the west. The steward recalls having to think on his feet when questioned by her irate husband. Waiting on the platform he was baffled as to how the train had somehow managed to lose one of its passengers.

Sleeper berths are an acquired taste - regular travel is required to acclimatise and get a good night's sleep. Single, standard passengers often end up sharing their twin berths with snoring strangers of the same sex. On the Glasgow train it's not uncommon for the train to be drunk dry. The Edinburgh train tends to have a more sober atmosphere, full of academics and business people.

Fund manager Tom Wright is a regular passenger. He uses it for convenience as it departs after the last flight and arrives before the first one lands the following morning. "I don't mind taking the sleeper but facilities even in first class are worse than the second class journeys between Bangkok and Chang Mai I took 25 years ago," he says. "Hotels in London are now so expensive that if they upgraded it to be even half as comfortable as a hotel then they might do quite well."

Barrister William Frain-Bell agrees: "Turning it into something akin to the Orient Express Pullman is great news as long as the fares don't rocket."

Scotland's late First Minister Donald Dewar used the train regularly once breaking the "sleeper record". He travelled it five times in one week after which he quipped that he could not remember in which direction he was going - much to the amusement of his political opponents. Gordon Brown and the late John Smith would also enjoy unwinding on a Friday night, with a drink in the small hours as they headed north.

The beds are compact. If you are taller than 5ft 10in or have a waist greater than 34in they can be a challenge. Turn once too often and you will end up in a heap on the floor.

But Britain's sleepers with their narrow bunks and stained, chipped enamel wash basins have one benefit over their European counterparts. Most berths are either solo or with twin beds. In France, the basic sleeping carriages are made up of very cramped couchettes, reminiscent of a cheap youth hostel, where six strangers stretch out in very close proximity.

Not surprisingly, with the advent of an extended high-speed network on the continent and the relentless rise of low-cost airlines, the European sleepers are on the wane. The Paris to Madrid service, which ran for over a century, was scrapped last year with little fanfare.

Britain can be said to be bucking the trend. The key to success will be price - both to the passenger and taxpayer. As a regular sleeper passenger myself, I can't help feeling that it would be great if it could be made to work. Perhaps this new "hotel on wheels" is to be the catalyst for the future shape of Britain's railways.
Logged

"Build a man a fire and he'll be warm for the rest of the day. Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life."

- Sir Terry Pratchett.
John R
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 4416


View Profile
« Reply #26 on: June 01, 2014, 10:30:53 »

Worth reading if just for the story just below the second picture. Gave me a good chuckle.
Logged
SDS
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 772


Badgerline


View Profile
« Reply #27 on: June 02, 2014, 00:25:10 »

Quote
Message from Tim O^Toole ^ Caledonian Sleeper rail franchise

Transport Scotland has announced today that Serco will be operating the new Caledonian Sleeper rail franchise, with effect from 1 April 2015. Caledonian Sleeper services, which currently form a small part of our ScotRail franchise, will become a new, separate franchise and as a result we will cease operation of the sleeper services between Scotland and London from that date.

While this is not the news we had hoped for, I would like to thank all of our employees who have worked hard to deliver the best possible service for Caledonian Sleeper customers over the past ten years. I know that everyone transferring to the new franchise will continue to build on this as they enter a new phase of development on this route.

We submitted a strong bid which would have offered further high quality services for passengers and a good return for taxpayers. We will continue to provide sleeper passengers with a high quality standard of service as usual until the new franchise commences and will be working closely with the new operator to ensure a smooth transition for those employees affected.

Whilst this is disappointing, it does not change our progress towards the Group's medium-term targets, nor our priorities for UK (United Kingdom) Rail. We remain focused on our goal of providing more and better rail services across the UK and we are currently shortlisted for a number of other rail franchises, including the next generation of the ScotRail franchise due to be awarded by Transport Scotland in the coming months.

We are tremendously proud to have provided this important service for the last decade and wish the team every success for the future.

Tim O^Toole
Chief Executive
Logged

I do not work for FGW (First Great Western) and posts should not be assumed and do not imply they are statements, unless explicitly stated that they are, from any TOC (Train Operating Company) including First Great Western.
Chris from Nailsea
Administrator
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 17865


I am not railway staff


View Profile Email
« Reply #28 on: November 05, 2014, 18:15:01 »

From The Scotsman:

Quote
Caledonian sleeper among ^world^s best^ rail trips


The Caledonian Sleeper. Picture: Norman McNab

The iconic Caledonian sleeper train service between Fort William and London has been named as one of the best six railway adventures in the world.

The Fort William service, which is known colloquially as The Deerstalker, has been placed in the same group of great train rides as The Shanghai Maglev, the Tren Crucero through the heart of Ecuador, the Sunset Limited between Los Angeles and New Orleans, the Trans Alpine Express in New Zealand^s stunning South Island and the Danube Express between Budapest and Istanbul.

Top travel guide Travel said the Caledonian Sleeper was one of the world^s ^most unforgettable train adventures.^

^There are only two sleeper services left in the UK (United Kingdom), one of them wending its way slowly from London to Penzance. This 13-hour route is the more stunning.....hurtling through the night and hitting Edinburgh in the early hours so you can peek at a city waking up,^ it says.

^From here it^s non-stop on the sensational photo opps: misty Loch Lomond cradled by mountains; the wildly beautiful expanse of wind-blown Rannoch Moor. At old Victorian station platforms, lonely tearooms survey the tracks. Beyond, velvety green hills are washed with weak sun. Go in spring, when the light and flowers lend the surroundings extra special beauty - and be prepared for a tight squeeze, as the cabins aren^t very spacious.^

The guide recommended that passengers watch out for Rannoch Station - gateway to the wild moor, which is ^so remote that rail is pretty much the only way to get there.^

The guide reads: ^Your nose will be superglued to the window as you take in the faded purple heathland and the chiffon-like silhouettes of foggy hills beyond,^ Before adding: ^If you opt for a bargain first class ticket, you^ll get your own cabin and wake to breakfast delivered by your own onboard steward, so there^s no need to fear stale teacakes and over-brewed tea.^

The total Caledonian Sleeper service connects London Euston nightly - except Saturday - with Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Fort William, Glasgow and Inverness, and intermediate stations. But it was the route to Fort William that won over Travel^s train buffs.

Serco are to take over the franchise from Aberdeen-based First Group. The company already offers luxury sleeper services in Australia. The new 15-year franchise will start in April 2015.

Serco will be responsible for operating all aspects of the Caledonian Sleeper including marketing, sales, passenger services, station facilities and fleet maintenance. More than ^100m will be invested in building 72 state of the art carriages, which will make up four new trains, at a cost of ^100m by the summer of 2018. It will be part-funded by a ^60m grant from the Scottish government.

The rolling stock will be built by CAF, which also built Edinburgh^s new trams. Serco is promising improvements including en-suite berths, ^pod flatbeds^ and a brasserie-style club car. And a partnership with luxury hospitality firm Inverlochy Castle Management International and Michelin-starred chef Albert Roux will introduce what is described as ^hotel-style service and an improved all-round travelling experience^.

Announcing the new contract earlier this year, Scottish Transport Minister Keith Brown said the aim was to ^transform this iconic rail service^. He added: ^The contract secures the future of the Caledonian Sleeper, ensuring it delivers a service fit for the 21st century and that it provides - as it has done for over 100 years - a unique, valued and high profile overnight service between Scotland and London.^

Around 270,000 journeys were made on the sleeper service in the last full year.

But Rail workers union the RMT (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers) has said it is ^deeply concerned^ that the contract had been given to Serco. Acting General Secretary Mike Cash said: ^This is a company with a truly shocking track record in the delivery of public services. Quite frankly, with their appalling list of failures in the UK and globally, they should never have even been considered as contenders for the Scottish sleeper service. The logical option of public ownership was not even looked at. Serco is a company that has a reputation for promising the earth and delivering quite the opposite as they seek to maximise profits and sweat their assets for every single penny piece.^
Logged

William Huskisson MP (Member of Parliament) was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830.  Many more have died in the same way since then.  Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.

"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner."  Discuss.
bobm
Administrator
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 9810



View Profile
« Reply #29 on: January 09, 2015, 13:19:08 »

In preparation for the takeover the new operators have launched their website - http://caledoniansleeper.info/

Some interesting stuff on it.
Logged
Do you have something you would like to add to this thread, or would you like to raise a new question at the Coffee Shop? Please [register] (it is free) if you have not done so before, or login (at the top of this page) if you already have an account - we would love to read what you have to say!

You can find out more about how this forum works [here] - that will link you to a copy of the forum agreement that you can read before you join, and tell you very much more about how we operate. We are an independent forum, provided and run by customers of Great Western Railway, for customers of Great Western Railway and we welcome railway professionals as members too, in either a personal or official capacity. Views expressed in posts are not necessarily the views of the operators of the forum.

As well as posting messages onto existing threads, and starting new subjects, members can communicate with each other through personal messages if they wish. And once members have made a certain number of posts, they will automatically be admitted to the "frequent posters club", where subjects not-for-public-domain are discussed; anything from the occasional rant to meetups we may be having ...

 
Pages: 1 [2] 3 4 ... 7
  Print  
 
Jump to:  

Powered by MySQL Powered by PHP Powered by SMF 1.1.2 | SMF © 2006-2007, Simple Machines LLC Valid XHTML 1.0! Valid CSS!
This forum is provided by customers of Great Western Railway (formerly First Great Western), and the views expressed are those of the individual posters concerned. Visit www.gwr.com for the official Great Western Railway website. Please contact the administrators of this site if you feel that the content provided by one of our posters contravenes our posting rules (email link to report). Forum hosted by Well House Consultants

Jump to top of pageJump to Forum Home Page