Heidi Says Hi-De-Hi With Hype (mini blog)
fbb was less than enthusiastic about featuring the dynamic launch of "Great British Railways" which took place, technically at 0159 on Sunday morning.
Several things contributed to the dubious dynamism of the event..jpg)
Firstly, Great British Railways does not yet exist! The necessary enactments may happen in 2026, but 2027 is more likely. Sunday's event came under interim "enabling" legislation.
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So no rush then?
Several other companies have already been nationaliosed, viz. LNER, Northern, Transport for Wales, Southeastern, Scotrail, Trans Pennine and Caledonian Sleepers. Two of the operations have been nationalised and then re-privatised and now re-nationalised.
Fun innit?
Brian Souter's Stagecoach was he first company to win a franchise which became known as South West Trains. There were one or two bludners on the way, notably making so many staff redundant that they did not have enough staff to run the trains.
Whoops.
There was a subtle early livery change from this ...
... to this ...
... with a darker richer blue and no orange. Then came new trains with white as a main colour for long distance stock ...
... blue for "outer" suburban ...
... and red for the busy inner suburbs.
Then Stagecoach lost the franchise and First Rail took over with the worst livery imaginable.
How are your new suburban trains doing, First? Oh? Still parked up and not in use? Good management eh and nearly three years late ...
... and counting!
Anyway, Heidi hosted a launch event in full view of a few staff in well polished orange work gear ...
... at Bournemouth depot, that hot spot of the South Western Railway business! (Oh no, it isn't).
So what can the public expect from this major change to the UK's railway network since ...
... the last major change to the Uk's rail network.
Answer - ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.
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There is lots more philosophical prattle on the SWR web site; do feel free to look it up and ...
fbb's aged 159 units will still chunter happily between Exeter, Axminster and Waterloo; driven by the same drivers. guarded by the same guards, maintained by the same grease monkeys, and with tickets sold by the same helpful ticket office staff. The fares will rise annually, as usual. Even "the management" will stay the same.
The only difference will be hidden from the passenger. Instead of profits going to First Group shareholders, the bags of pennies "will be re-invested in the railways".
Why does fbb doubt that even that the small re-investment prize dangled before the faces of disappointed passengers will be noticed at the ticket window?
fbb will not be rushing to Axminster station to photograph the changes.
This is what the unchanged SWR web site said about the change.
From today, Sunday 25th May 2025 the operation of all SWR services has transferred into public ownership and is being managed by DFTO (DfT Operator Ltd).
The transfer does not impact on your planned journeys, tickets or timetables and all current tickets remain valid.
For any questions relating to your journey, please get in touch with our customer service centre on 0345 6000 650.
DFTO is the Government’s rail Owning Group and delivery partner for its flagship Public Ownership Programme. It was given a mandate by the Government to bring all currently privately-owned train operators into public ownership, contributing to the government’s long term plan to reform Britain’s railways.
The Government’s vision is to provide a railway that works better for both passengers and taxpayers across Great Britain.
Ultimately, all train operators across the country will operate under one banner – Great British Railways – delivering a single, integrated railway, making train travel better value for passengers and simpler to everyone.
As Victor Meldrew might say, "I don't belieeeve it!"
For media queries relating to the Department for Transport’s Public Ownership Programme please contact the press office on 0300 7777 878.
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... enjoy!
Once upon a time ....jpg)
... Axminster soon after the last nationalisation.
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But back in the real world ...
Next sea view blog : Weds 28 May
The richer blue and no orange livery was Network South East! Stagecoach's lighter blue, with orange instead if red, was its replacement.
ReplyDeleteI think that even the NSE livery went through a subtle change. Originally, I seem to remember, the coloured bands had sharp corners; these were later changed to the curves seen on the pictures.
DeleteI'm old enough to remember 4-VEPs on the Southwestern mainline in overall rail blue with stainless steel window surrounds and double-arrow logos, as per the preserved unit. I think the 8-VAB was the same (or was the buffet car blue-and-grey).
The buffet/restaurant was indeed blue and grey. https://www.flickr.com/photos/12a_kingmoor_klickr/6281025709
DeleteSo basically what you're saying is that we should just shrug our shoulders and give up because the railways can never improve whatever is done with them. Bit of a defeatist attitude. Both this government and the previous government, plus the industry itself all recognised that a major shake up was required. It's going to take many years to properly restructure and at least this government is actually doing something, unlike the last one which was all talk and no action after publishing the Williams-Shapps Plan.
ReplyDeleteOn SWR, a loathsome, unbelievably incompetent operator under First/MTR. However, I do like the livery - much better than the outdated and garish SWT liveries (with the exception of the white version). However, the 158/159s look awful because they're absolutely filthy externally.
The Stagecoach 158/159 liveries were great and now are drab and awful. The red seats was also much better than the new ones.
DeleteI wonder what will happen once all the TOCs are nationalised? To what extent will there be any integration between them and Network Rail? If this doesn't happen, then the process will (in my view) have not been successful.
ReplyDelete