What a Joke the current franchising system that Department for Transport is. the franchise on the west coast main line has been over turned and Virgin are currently operating it for an additional 23 months extra. i have a question for all of you that is; Why is there argument over why First should operate the Great Western main Line when people want a Directly Operated Railway such as East Coast. Virgin have the West Coast for an additional 23 months so why can First no be granted a contract extension.