GW franchise

[whole diary]

[dog box]

First Great Western as far as i know have nothing to do with the running of services into Heathrow believe its First Group that runs it in association with BAA.
and for those interested First Group Rail Holdings{ or i think thats what they are called } own 41 coaches and 12 power cars which are used by FGW^▸ (First Great Western)  being 43092/93/94/97/98/122/153/154/155/158/194/198

[standclearplease]

The Heathrow Express and Heathrow Connect run something like this:

Heathrow Express is owned and operated by BAA. FGW^▸ (First Great Western)/First have nothing to do with it.

As by the document below (Page 69), the Heathrow Connect is jointly operated by FGW and BAA. It's 'operated' under lease as far as Hayes to FGW and then the route into Heathrow by BAA. Seems massively complicated!

http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/rail/passenger/invitationtotender/greaterwestern.pdf

[JayMac]

Not just the service provision that is co-owned. The infrastructure from Heathrow Tunnel Junction onward is owned by Heathrow Airport Ltd and not Network Rail.

[standclearplease]

Indeed. Still maintained by NR^» (Network Rail - home page) though however.

[Zoe]

This is why even when Crossrail opens, premium fares will still apply to Heathrow.

[Electric train]

Indeed. Still maintained by NR^» (Network Rail - home page) though however.

Yes Network Rail is the maintenance contractor to BAA it also controls the traction power and signaling on behalf of BAA much as it does on CTRL^▸ (Channel Tunnel Rail Link) and is likely to do so for Crossrail central section although I believe this is still to be agreed

[Henry]

  All very complicated, really,  - Who owns what ? etc. etc.

  Perhaps the Government should incorporate all the trains/infastructure under a single administration.
  The benefits being a fully integrated rail system, and a fairer, 'customer friendly' retail system.

  Seems to work very effectively in some of the EU^» (European Union - about) countries.

[Electric train]

  All very complicated, really,  - Who owns what ? etc. etc.

  Perhaps the Government should incorporate all the trains/infastructure under a single administration.
  The benefits being a fully integrated rail system, and a fairer, 'customer friendly' retail system.

  Seems to work very effectively in some of the EU^» (European Union - about) countries.

Hang on a sec did we not have something like that pre 1995 

[standclearplease]

On the whole its rather uncomplicated- could be much, much worse I personally believe.

[eightf48544]

On the whole its rather uncomplicated- could be much, much worse I personally believe.

Sorry have to disagree.

The wheel rail interface is the most complicated part of the railway. To have different organisations to look after turning the wheel, maintaining the wheel and ensuring the rail will handle the turning wheel is in my opinion not conducive to running an effective railway.

To many Chiefs, not enough Indians, all persuing their own organisations' goals. It's a good job there are still a few good ex BR^▸ (British Rail(ways)) trained managers/engineers around to modify the bus managers way of running the railways

[12hoursunday]

Make that May 2016. I think the extension of the franchise to its full 10 years is a safe bet. So it's 65 months in all probability

How do you work it out to be May 2016? The franchise commenced on the 1st April 2006 for a period of 7 years with the option of a three year extension. Therefore my caculations make the end as March 31st 2016!

[XPT]

March or May 2016, that's still one hell of a long wait!

I read with interest somewhere on this forum(the posting of which I can't track down) from someone saying it's possible the railways could be renationalised within the next few years, much like the good ol' days of BR^▸ (British Rail(ways)).   Whoever posted that info, please elaborate more on that and tell us where you got the source of this info from.   It sounds just too good to be true!

[inspector_blakey]

As far as I can tell you seem to want change for the sake of change because you're bored with the current liveries and uniforms...?! Believe it or not, I don't think enthusiasts getting bored with the incumbent operator is a sound basis for the enormous upheaval of re-tendering a franchise

How do you work it out to be May 2016? The franchise commenced on the 1st April 2006 for a period of 7 years with the option of a three year extension. Therefore my caculations make the end as March 31st 2016!

Cropped up further up in the thread...I was just quoting what was said above. So technically if it is a mistake I get "error carried forward" and I'm not marked down The franchise agreement gives the "initial" end date as 31 Mar 13, so I think you're right. It probably gives the 2016 end date as well, but i can't be bothered to wade through all the text!

[Timmer]

I read with interest somewhere on this forum(the posting of which I can't track down) from someone saying it's possible the railways could be renationalised within the next few years, much like the good ol' days of BR^▸ (British Rail(ways)).   Whoever posted that info, please elaborate more on that and tell us where you got the source of this info from.   It sounds just too good to be true!

Under the current coalition government it probably is too good to be true. For example. Virgin's proposal for a two year franchise extention for the West Coast franchise in return for them paying for the remaining 9 carriage Pendolinos to be extending to 11 carriages has been rejected by the government as they believe they will get a much better return by allowing the franchise reletting process to go ahead in time for its renewal in 2012. Source was the Daily Mail. Sorry I don't have a link for the story.