GWR - Eight years old today

[whole diary]

[grahame]

Eight Years of Great Western Railway - on this day, 15th September 2015

What has been achieved under the GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) branding, and what has failed?

[REVUpminster]

The biggest failure has been the 769s and all the stock problems that has caused. Are they going to repeat it with the 230s if expected to work elsewhere other than Greenford? Why buy all those extra cars of S stock?

Any tool that is designed to do two or more jobs rarely does one best.

The 387 emu has been a success limited by only where it can go due to cut backs in electrification.

[nickswift99]

The Electrostars have been a massive upgrade but the introduction of the Elizabeth line has resulted in many commuters seeing little improvement in journey times due to long dwells at Reading and the effective removal of GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) services at some stations.

But the biggest failure, which I think is true of all long distance providers, is the failure to address the leisure market, especially the premium sector. The demise of decent first class seats and catering has resulted in something which more resembles a commuter experience and not that of a service which will draw people from their cars.

[Mark A]

But the biggest failure, which I think is true of all long distance providers, is the failure to address the leisure market, especially the premium sector.

LNER^» (London North Eastern Railway - about)'s approach to the provision and selling of their services, including 1st, is very different to that which GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) is able to take - and for some reason Hitachi tend not to send LNER trains into service with unclean exteriors. Perhaps it is that the Hitachi - LNER relationship is set up in a different way.

Mark

[IndustryInsider]

I have to say that I haven’t really noticed any great problems with the general exterior cleanliness of the IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) fleet.

[ChrisB]

But the biggest failure, which I think is true of all long distance providers, is the failure to address the leisure market, especially the premium sector.

LNER^» (London North Eastern Railway - about)'s approach to the provision and selling of their services, including 1st, is very different to that which GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) is able to take - and for some reason Hitachi tend not to send LNER trains into service with unclean exteriors.

The leisure market is *booming*  At weekends at least & is actually beating the peaks on Monday & Friday 
There would very quickly be overcrowding complaints if they were to attract many more out of their cars.

Unclean IETs^▸ (Intercity Express Train) - I haven't seen (m)any & neither is there a thread of complaint on here about any? 

[bobm]

There was an issue with some carriage washers and how they cleaned IETs^▸ (Intercity Express Train) in 2019ish.  Some sets were notably dirty when in service and windows not the clearest.   Adjustments were made and the presentation visibly improved. 

[ChrisB]

Four year's ago, then? Time to forget something that minor, I reckon.

[TaplowGreen]

Failure to address staff shortage issues, especially on Sundays, over many years when it was within their gift to do so.

[ChrisB]

What's that got to do with carriage washers? 

[TaplowGreen]

What's that got to do with carriage washers? 

Nothing whatsoever. I was addressing Graham's original question.

[Bmblbzzz]

I missed this – Happy Birthday, Coffee Shop!