First Great Western

First Great Western was a British train operating company owned by FirstGroup that operated the Great Western franchise from 1996 to 2015. The company operated InterCity and commuter rail services from London Paddington station to the West Country, Wales, and the West Midlands. First Great Western also operated services to Bristol Temple Meads, Cardiff Central railway station, and Plymouth railway station, among others, in conjunction with Network Rail and Department for Transport. The company's operations were overseen by the Office of Rail and Road and the Passenger Focus organization, which represented the interests of Transport for London and other stakeholders.

● History

The history of First Great Western dates back to 1996, when FirstGroup won the franchise to operate the Great Western franchise, which had previously been operated by British Rail. The company began operating services in 1996, with a fleet of InterCity 125 trains and Class 165 and Class 166 diesel multiple units. Over the years, First Great Western expanded its services to include new routes and increased frequencies, working with partners such as Arriva Trains Wales and Chiltern Railways. The company also invested in new rolling stock, including the Class 180 and Class 185 diesel multiple units, which were built by Alstom and Bombardier Transportation. First Great Western worked closely with London Underground and Heathrow Airport Holdings to provide seamless connections for passengers traveling to Heathrow Airport.

● Services

First Great Western operated a range of services, including InterCity services from London Paddington station to Bristol Temple Meads, Cardiff Central railway station, and Plymouth railway station. The company also operated commuter rail services in the West Country and Wales, including services to Swansea railway station, Newport railway station, and Exeter St Davids railway station. First Great Western worked with CrossCountry and Virgin Trains to provide connections to other parts of the United Kingdom, including Birmingham New Street railway station and Manchester Piccadilly station. The company also operated services to Oxford railway station and Reading railway station, which were popular with commuters traveling to London. First Great Western collaborated with National Express and Stagecoach Group to provide integrated transport services.

● Rolling Stock

First Great Western operated a fleet of rolling stock, including InterCity 125 trains, Class 165 and Class 166 diesel multiple units, and Class 180 and Class 185 diesel multiple units. The company also operated Class 150 and Class 153 diesel multiple units, which were used on shorter routes. First Great Western's rolling stock was maintained by Alstom and Bombardier Transportation, which provided technical support and maintenance services. The company also worked with Siemens and Hitachi Rail to develop new rolling stock, including the Class 800 and Class 801 electric multiple units, which were built for the InterCity Express Programme. First Great Western collaborated with Rolls-Royce and Knorr-Bremse to improve the performance and efficiency of its rolling stock.

● Performance

First Great Western's performance was monitored by the Office of Rail and Road and the Passenger Focus organization, which tracked the company's punctuality and reliability. The company's performance was also influenced by factors such as Network Rail's maintenance of the rail infrastructure and the Department for Transport's policies on rail franchising. First Great Western worked to improve its performance by investing in new rolling stock and improving its customer service, in partnership with Transport for London and London TravelWatch. The company also collaborated with Atos and Capita to develop new systems for managing its operations and improving its efficiency. First Great Western was also subject to oversight by the House of Commons Transport Committee and the National Audit Office.

● Criticism_and_Controversy

First Great Western faced criticism and controversy over the years, including concerns about its punctuality and reliability, as well as its handling of passenger complaints. The company was also criticized for its decision to reduce the number of guards on its trains, which was opposed by the Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers union. First Great Western was also involved in a dispute with Network Rail over the maintenance of the rail infrastructure, which affected the company's ability to operate services. The company worked with ACAS and TUC to resolve the dispute and improve its relationships with its employees and partners, including Unite the Union and the GMB trade union. First Great Western was also subject to scrutiny from the BBC and The Guardian, which reported on the company's performance and controversies.

● Legacy

First Great Western's legacy continues to be felt in the United Kingdom's rail industry, with the company's former routes and services now operated by Great Western Railway. The company's investment in new rolling stock and its efforts to improve its customer service have also had a lasting impact on the industry, with many of its innovations and initiatives being adopted by other train operating companies, including Virgin Trains East Coast and ScotRail. First Great Western's experience and expertise have also been shared with other companies, including Deutsche Bahn and SNCF, through partnerships and collaborations. The company's history and legacy are also preserved by organizations such as the National Railway Museum and the Railway Heritage Committee, which work to promote the history and heritage of the United Kingdom's rail industry, in conjunction with English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund. Category:Defunct train operating companies