Great Western Coffee Shop

Hi,

Bristol Evening Post, http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk, has published at article showing that FGW are the worst performing local and national rail franchises. Nice of them to confirm the what I already know.

http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=144913&command=displayContent&sourceNode=231190&home=yes&more_nodeId1=144916&contentPK=17004511

It appears they are proud of their achievement!

I doubt that FGW has delivered 10% reliability in my experience over the past month.

I know the government must share some of the blame for the poor service we receive, but FGW are solely responsible for power failures, engine failures. To cap it all, they are supplementing the current local fleet with decommissioned trains from First Groups Transpenine operation.







 

0723 Warminster - Cardiff was looking good recently with two 158's, until this morning when two 143's turned up. Thankful for small mercies as at least there were two.

I don't know if it is an old sticker but I spotted a small notice on a 158 yesterday with the words Third World Western, very nice job it is too, anyone know anything about them?

An internal circular says that the MD has just finalised the refurb plans for the West fleet and has given it a high priority.  The first unit is due in May but it will be 18 months before they are all done.  St Phillips Marsh maintenance depot won't be fully operational until September.  So there's some way to go but it looks like we've started.

Simonw - don't knock the TPE units. They're the best we've got ;D

Hi

I don't mean to knock these carriages. What saddens me is that First Group are willing to spend ^300 million replacing the existing TPE fleet, when the TPE is in much better condition than the First Great Western fleet.

The old Thames fleet is in poor condition and needs investment.
The old Wessex fleet needs replacing.
The old FGW HST fleet needs replacing.

I can't understand why First Group has prioritised TPE over FGW.

It's notable that Transpennine is not solely a First Group operation, but is a partnership with Keolis. Keolis appear to be a far more dynamic European transport management company. It's perhaps no coincidence that this is the only First franchise to receive the levels of investment which TPE have.

The West fleet is in a sorry state in many cases - the 158s, which are effectively our flagship trains, are tattered inside and increasingly unreliable. What 153s we have left are truly shocking - I've seen units in better interior condition on the scrapline. The refurbishment Wessex undertook on the 150s and 143s was fairly good - but the 150's with their light coloured interiors are looking dirty and in need of work.

Oddly, and I know this will not be a popular choice, the 143s have fared best of all. The replacement of the bus seats was welcome, and despite the poor ride quality and rudimentary interiors, they can pack a fair few people into these. I wonder if we'll end up with any of the 142s which Northern Trains will be displacing with 158s shortly?

I was talking to a few Westbury guards that I know last week, I asked them all "After 1 year, what good changes have you seen?" and you have just answered it, becuase they all mentioned the TPE units, they are very nippy, the cabs aren't too bad & of course the FC, I like them as well

FGW fleet does not need replacing thanks, it would show that infact they stay more intact, when was the last time you heard of a proper P/C fire on a OLD engined Power Car

Wessex Fleet - yes, I wanted 180s on Cardiff - Pompey though, but am informed that will not happen