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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #15 on: July 21, 2015, 23:50:36 » |
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Purely aesthetically, I don't like the mixed size of capitals in the GWR logo.
Hmm. I don't think First Great Western are actually trying to use mixed size of capital letters - they're apparently trying to fit their new logo into the outline of an ellipse:   (With thanks to my learned colleague bignosemac, for my blatant reuse of his latest avatar image).  |
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William Huskisson MP▸ 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.
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Bmblbzzz
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« Reply #16 on: July 22, 2015, 12:03:21 » |
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In which case it would look a lot better, IMO▸ , if they actually gave it an outline. The colour, though, is a vast improvement on the pink-grey-blue-ish fuzzy First not quite stripes!
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Waiting at Pilning for the midnight sleeper to Prague.
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Red Squirrel
Administrator
Hero Member
Posts: 5219
There are some who call me... Tim
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« Reply #17 on: July 22, 2015, 12:17:30 » |
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Whilst I like the use of green for the power cars, I think the overall effect of a wholly green train is a bit dull. I wonder if they've considered brightening it up a bit by using slightly different livery for the carriages? For my two penn'orth, I was thinking maybe something based on mid-brown (maybe cocoa?) below the waist rail, with perhaps a thick off-white or buttermilk shade stripe between the waist rail and the cantrail.
Just a thought.
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Things take longer to happen than you think they will, and then they happen faster than you thought they could.
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JayMac
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« Reply #18 on: July 22, 2015, 12:46:00 » |
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Sounds like a good idea Red Squirrel. I'll ponder your suggestion while I drink my creamy hot chocolate.
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"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.
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didcotdean
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« Reply #19 on: July 22, 2015, 14:32:15 » |
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Whilst I like the use of green for the power cars, I think the overall effect of a wholly green train is a bit dull. I wonder if they've considered brightening it up a bit by using slightly different livery for the carriages?
And here is me thinking that then you'd suggest adding a few gold and white stripes for added nostalgia factor ... |
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grahame
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« Reply #20 on: July 22, 2015, 15:33:05 » |
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Sounds like a good idea Red Squirrel. I'll ponder your suggestion while I drink my creamy hot chocolate.
Hmmm ... I think I've seen something like that ... http://www.fictitiousliveries.co.uk/photo.php?43227_gwg.jpg |
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Coffee Shop Admin, Acting Chair of Melksham Rail User Group, Option 24/7 Melksham Rep
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broadgage
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« Reply #21 on: July 22, 2015, 17:01:57 » |
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A proper GWR▸ engine should of course have a polished copper cap or rim to the chimney, to complement the rest of the livery.
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A proper intercity train has a minimum of 8 coaches, gangwayed throughout, with first at one end, and a full sized buffet car between first and standard.
It has space for cycles, surfboards,luggage etc.
A 5 car DMU▸ is not a proper inter-city train. The 5+5 and 9 car DMUs are almost as bad.
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Zoe
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« Reply #22 on: July 22, 2015, 17:35:43 » |
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I note that there has since last year been a trademark registered for GWR▸ by First Greater Western Limited. Does this just refer to the logo or does it refer to any use of the letters GWR in the context of the goods and services listed? If the latter is the case then could this be an issue for the heritage railways which were once part of the GWR network?
I note that the link above says First Great Western will actually become "Great Western Railway" but this doesn't seem to be trademarked.
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« Last Edit: July 22, 2015, 17:45:03 by Zo^ »
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The Tall Controller
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« Reply #23 on: July 22, 2015, 23:28:49 » |
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A proper GWR▸ engine should of course have a polished copper cap or rim to the chimney, to complement the rest of the livery.
Not sure about a copper cap but they will all be getting a couple of metal GWR logos. |
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JayMac
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« Reply #24 on: July 23, 2015, 00:23:43 » |
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I'd like to point out that my decision to change my avatar is in no way an endorsement of the new brand, livery, etc. Merely there as a reminder of the shape of things to come. When the brand goes 'live' I intend to change my avatar back to something more deserving of the letters GWR▸ .
FGW▸ have seriously lost their way in the last few years. Customer satisfaction at the lowest levels since First Group were awarded the combined franchise in 2007. Staff morale at its lowest since 2007 - evidenced by the current spate of, and threats of, industrial action. Even management grades are considering industrial action. Punctuality levels at their worst since 2007, and that's across the franchise, not just in the Thames Valley where some of the blame can be laid at the door of Network Rail. The company's focus has shifted from providing an excellent service to customers to one of maximising revenue. Doing good by shareholders is something that a business is obliged to do, but it can be done without pissing off your customers and staff. And these are customers who, in the main, aren't able to shop elsewhere as their only option is FGW day in day out for their commute.
The ratio of praise versus criticism I've given to FGW in the past 8 years has notably shifted toward the latter. I find it difficult these days to defend their actions (the current industrial dispute is a case in point... strongly on the side of FGW at the start, moving toward the staffs' point of view now.)
I'm therefore edging toward a conclusion that the rebranding is an attempt to move away from 'First Great Western' as it has become something of a toxic brand. But I don't think that's the answer. A lick of paint here and there doesn't fix underlying problems. Especially when it appears that First Group are trying to ride on the coat tails of a truly great railway company with the new name. To me, it's just papering over the cracks and cynical marketing. Something that we've come to expect from FGW. They've been cynically riding on the coat tails of Network Rail with the route modernisation advertising - giving the impression that First Group are spending oodles of money.
The last time First Group lost its way with the franchise in this part of the world they got rid of the MD and changed the top team. I think it's time Tim O'Toole considered doing the same again.
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« Last Edit: July 23, 2015, 01:10:40 by bignosemac »
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"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.
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adc82140
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« Reply #25 on: July 23, 2015, 08:50:24 » |
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« Last Edit: July 23, 2015, 08:57:26 by adc82140 »
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Rhydgaled
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« Reply #26 on: July 23, 2015, 09:41:29 » |
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Spotted via another forum (not my video): (Video credit- "Dan Warman")Looks smart. So, repainting has begun... Wonder how long it will be before the first of the new 'Sardine midget' sets will be repainted from plain grey/white into the new GWR▸ livery? Or are we likely to see one arrive from Japan ready-painted in the livery before the grey/white sets already delivered have been repained? I'll be glad to see the back of the bright-pink doors (I think that's the only thing I don't like about the version of 'dynamic lines' applied to the class 180s and IC125s) but I'm not sure I like the sandpaper-strip on the new livery either (the basic green with silver/grey doors looks ok otherwise from what I've seen so far). The company's focus has shifted from providing an excellent service to customers to one of maximising revenue.
[snip]
The last time First Group lost its way with the franchise in this part of the world they got rid of the MD and changed the top team. I think it's time Tim O'Toole considered doing the same again. I think I'm inclined to agree, although I've no idea whether or not Hopwood really has shifted his focus to money or whether the DfT» and/or shareholders have held him to ransom. I certainly do not believe the future plans that have now emerged have the passenger's best interests fully in mind. |
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Don't DOO▸ it, keep the guard (but it probably wouldn't be a bad idea if the driver unlocked the doors on arrival at calling points).
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didcotdean
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« Reply #27 on: July 23, 2015, 09:44:52 » |
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There is certainly a beleaguered feeling from FGW▸ at the moment. hard to tell whether they are the source of this or whether they are suffering themselves; maybe a bit of both. Certainly the tools for the job that they have been promised have been a long time coming.
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ChrisB
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« Reply #28 on: July 23, 2015, 09:58:56 » |
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I'm therefore edging toward a conclusion that the rebranding is an attempt to move away from 'First Great Western' as it has become something of a toxic brand. I've already edged toward concluding that it's a DfT» request to have neutral branding - i.e. nothing corporate. |
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Timmer
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« Reply #29 on: July 23, 2015, 10:14:40 » |
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I'm therefore edging toward a conclusion that the rebranding is an attempt to move away from 'First Great Western' as it has become something of a toxic brand. I've already edged toward concluding that it's a DfT» request to have neutral branding - i.e. nothing corporate. I think both of the above are the reasons why we are seeing a rebranding. |
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