New Trains for the Great Western Franchise for Local use out of London.

The current plan for the Department for Transport is once the Great Western Main Line to Oxford is Electrified is to operate the trains which have been cascaded from the Thameslink services onto services to Oxford and Reading. These would therefore be formed of Class 314’s (Which are as old as the class 166/165 are!). This would mean the same amount of breakdowns and the same shabby looking stock. Personally I would like to see First Group or whoever inherits the Franchise, to Purchase / Lease and new fleet of trains. Similar to what South West trains have done with the class 450 / 444 and London Midland with the Class 350 and Southern have done with the Class 377.

I (And a number of others) would like a new reliable set of trains to work the Great Western Main Line and make it something the passengers can be proud of.

^TB

Train Advertising.

In the light of the East Coast Intercity 225 set being vinyled into a James Bond (007) livery, to promote the new James Bond film Skyfall. First Great Western has vinyled 2 of there power cars into a white livery with advertising for the new HP tablet. This has not only sparked people to complain about them but for enthusiasts to go looking for them. The current power cars in this livery are 43186 (Former Diamond Jubilee livery) and 43141.

I personally feel that the advertising is good for the industry with reducing ticket prices for customers whilst keeping the same level of service.

^TB

Depots on the Great Western Main Line for the IEP (Intercity Express Program).

The new depot designs have been published in the last few days as to what the depots will look like when the new IEP project and the Great Western Main Line electrification project. The new depots will be at North Pole depot ( Former Eurostar Depot.) , Bristol Depot (In the triangle of Patchway - Bristol Parkway - Filton Abbey Wood.) And at Swansea.  

^TB

DOR Franchise debate.

There is a small debate about whether DOR should be introduced as a self contained bidding competitor for franchises so that the country has a balance of public and private investors. This has all stemmed from the success DOR are bringing to the East Coast franchise. I believe that Private sector bidders are more able to produce more money into the DFT’s pocket however Public will bring a robust, achievable bid. It is all about getting a bid which is the best of both worlds.

^TB

First Transpennine Express "Borrows" A Class 350

First Transpennine Express is set to "Borrow" a Class 350/2 from London Midland to for Staff training between Carlisle and Preston. This if primarily for Driver training and for route clearance tests, The training is for the new arrival of the new 350/4 which will operate the Manchester to Glasgow route once electrified. The first LM Class 350/2 is set to go north in August 2013 with the first TPE 350/4 being delivered some time in 2013.

^TB