GWR - Eight years old today

[whole diary]

[IndustryInsider]

Yup, quite a few steps forward (which tend to get forgotten like late trains along the North Cotswold Line and a much improved service for Llanelli and Carmarthen), but quite a few steps backwards as well.

[Bob_Blakey]

Although obviously not something for which GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) bears much, if any, direct responsibility I rather think the failure to complete electrification to BRI^» (Bristol Temple Meads - next trains) - both possible routes - and SWA^» (Swansea - next trains) should be on the -ve list. Perhaps the GWR powers-that-be could have argued the case more strongly?

On the +ve side the Devon Metro service has to get a mention even if the programme started in pre-GWR times. 

[eightonedee]

Although obviously not something for which GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) bears much, if any, direct responsibility I rather think the failure to complete electrification to BRI^» (Bristol Temple Meads - next trains)» - both possible routes - and SWA^» (Swansea - next trains)» should be on the -ve list. Perhaps the GWR powers-that-be could have argued the case more strongly?

Add Didcot to Oxford to that list! I imagine that the powers that be might read a representation from First Group/GWR and then ignore it in the light of the message from the Treasury via DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) and ORR^» (Office of Rail and Road, formerly Office of Rail Regulation - about).....

[Noggin]

Looking back on the original question posed by Graham

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

- can anyone provide a list of the achievements?

Echoing Grahame, I think the green GWR branding has worked very well to give everyone in the region something to be proud of. By and large, stations, rolling stock and personnel are very well turned out. Very much "our railway".

As for achievements, from a Bristolian perspective:
- Coping with, then taking advantage of electrification
- Coping reasonably well with COVID and strikes - felt like it had much less disruptive effect than elsewhere
- 80x introduction
- Stock refurbishments
- Okehampton reopening
- "Castles" and the introduction of an Intercity-quality service between Cardiff and Penzance
- Half-hourly Gloucester services
- Expansion of Severn Beach and Bristol local services
- Generally very good community relations and engagement

[REVUpminster]

On the good side. Dawlish has lifts and rebuild of the seaward platform. Paignton station had new doors to street and platform.

Bad side. Torquay still waiting for lifts, Newton Abbot still waiting for new entrance to industrial estate. Edginswell still not built. Exeter St David's platform 2 extension abandoned which would have helped service flexibility. Exeter Central needs something done to help congestion on the narrow footbridge.

[TaplowGreen]

On the good side. Dawlish has lifts and rebuild of the seaward platform. Paignton station had new doors to street and platform.

Bad side. Torquay still waiting for lifts, Newton Abbot still waiting for new entrance to industrial estate. Edginswell still not built. Exeter St David's platform 2 extension abandoned which would have helped service flexibility. Exeter Central needs something done to help congestion on the narrow footbridge.

..................doesn't all that come under Network Rail's remit?