Mark Hopwood to speak at Plymouth University 11 February

[whole diary]

[RichardB]

Mark Hopwood, Managing Director of Great Western Railway, to speak at Plymouth University

In the wake of weather-related service disruptions and questions over its long-term resilience, now is a critical time for the railway in the far South West. Join Mark Hopwood, Managing Director of GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway), the region's largest train operator, for his talk about the transformation of the former 'First Great Western' into the new Great Western Railway. With a new franchise until the end of the decade, this is much more than a re-badging exercise, and GWR has a far reaching plan to transform the railway in the South West. Mark will describe the thinking behind this transformation, which includes the complete replacement of the high speed train fleet across the region. He considers the challenges being met along the way, including the need for GWR to play its part in promoting the economic and social well-being of the South West.

The talk will take place on 11 February in Lecture Theatre 2 in the Roland Levinsky Building. Doors open 5.45pm with the lecture starting at 6.15pm. A wine reception will follow.

It is free to attend the lecture, but registration is essential: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/MarkHopwood

[Chris from Nailsea]

Many thanks for posting that diary entry, RichardB. 

Unfortunately, I'll be working that day, so will be unable to attend. 

However: may I recommend it to anyone else with an interest in railways and their place in the economy of the South West.



A gentle 'bump' there.   

[JayMac]

I'd be interested to hear about this far reaching plan that GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) have. Reaching all the way to April 2019.  First Group can't reach any further.

I'd also be interested to hear about the real reasons for the re-badging exercise. Not that Mr Hopwood will admit to the discussions behind closed doors at First Group being largely concerned with how to distance themselves from what had become a toxic brand. And then the decision to cynically appropriate a much loved historical name for their own ends.

I'd also like to hear the reasons behind riding on the coat tails of Network Rail and consistently putting out the message that somehow it was First Group who were making the largest investment since Brunel.

I won't hear any of that though. What I will hear is what I've heard in the past at events where Mr Hopwood has spoken. Corporate guff. "Look at us, ain't we brilliant?"

So anyone. Go if you want. You'll not find me there. Waste of time.

Cynical? Moi? Damn right.

[broadgage]

Whist I somewhat agree with the cynical views posted above, I would still be interested in reports from anyone who does attend.

[TaplowGreen]

I'd be interested to hear about this far reaching plan that GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) have. Reaching all the way to April 2019.  First Group can't reach any further.

I'd also be interested to hear about the real reasons for the re-badging exercise. Not that Mr Hopwood will admit to the discussions behind closed doors at First Group being largely concerned with how to distance themselves from what had become a toxic brand. And then the decision to cynically appropriate a much loved historical name for their own ends.

I'd also like to hear the reasons behind riding on the coat tails of Network Rail and consistently putting out the message that somehow it was First Group who were making the largest investment since Brunel.

I won't hear any of that though. What I will hear is what I've heard in the past at events where Mr Hopwood has spoken. Corporate guff. "Look at us, ain't we brilliant?"

So anyone. Go if you want. You'll not find me there. Waste of time.

Cynical? Moi? Damn right.

Hear hear.......and he'll have to get away pretty sharpish, last London train is at 1942!

[grahame]

Hear hear.......and he'll have to get away pretty sharpish, last London train is at 1942!

? - my timetable shows a 23:54 .... 

[TaplowGreen]

Hear hear.......and he'll have to get away pretty sharpish, last London train is at 1942!

? - my timetable shows a 23:54 .... 

If he's not home by midnight he turns into a pumpkin.

[plymothian]

Anyone going?

[TaplowGreen]

Anyone going?

Only if he paints himself GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) green (as a fellow Janner I'm sure we'd both appreciate it!) 

[plymothian]

Well I decided to bite the bullet earlier this week and registered to go.
Hope it's interested as thanks to GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) I am knackered now!

...and yes, I'm very glad they chose green!

[TaplowGreen]

Well I decided to bite the bullet earlier this week and registered to go.
Hope it's interested as thanks to GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) I am knackered now!

...and yes, I'm very glad they chose green!

How did it go? Did he take everyone down to Cap'n Jaspers afterwards?

[grahame]

How did it go? Did he take everyone down to Cap'n Jaspers afterwards?

See Western Morning News

Great Western Railways, working with Network Rail, is set to deliver huge improvements to its South West services, managing director Mark Hopwood said.

He told an audience at Plymouth University on Thursday evening of the company's plans, which include electrification of the main line from London to Bristol and Cardiff.

[snip]

"There have been a lot of complaints over the years by people in the South West about the level of investment in the region, with some justification," he said.

A major timetable change in December 2018 will see quicker train journeys across the route with a reduction of journey times between South Wales, Bristol and London, shaving travel time into Bristol by up to 17 minutes and Cardiff by up to 14 minutes.

These new services will also see more direct trains into Devon and double the number of trains into and out of Cornwall.

Mr Hopwood said a new early train from Penzance would get passengers to Plymouth by 9.45am.

The new trains, due in 2018, would have 24 to 26 per cent greater capacity, better wifi and better kitchens ^ "We are committed to catering on board trains", he said.

Some Cross Country trains are unable to pass Dawlish in South Devon when storms send waves crashing over the sea wall. Mr Hopwood said GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) had specified with the manufacturers that their new trains should not be affected in the same way.

[SandTEngineer]

I hope thats a mis-quote there and they mean a new fast train from Paddington to Plymouth to arrive by 0945

[plymothian]

I hope thats a mis-quote there and they mean a new fast train from Paddington to Plymouth to arrive by 0945

Yeah it is a misquote.
The lecture was full, and more people arrived on spec.
But TBH^▸ ('to be honest'), I don't really think there was much that isn't already in the public domain.
If anyone can think of anything specific you might have thought he would mention, I'll see if I can recall.

[JayMac]

First Group's tumbling share price?

The real reasons for the FGW^▸ (First Great Western) re-brand?

The staff morale?