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{{about|the present-day train operating company|the former company that existed from 1833 to 1948|Great Western Railway}} {{Short description|Train operating company in Great Britain}}
{{about|the 1996 company|the 1833–1947 company|Great Western Railway|other uses|Great Western Railway (disambiguation)}}
{{pp-move|small=yes}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2015}} {{Use British English|date=November 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2024}}
{{Infobox rail company {{Infobox rail company
|name = Great Western Railway |name = Great Western Railway
|image = Penzance - GWR 802103 and 43004.JPG
|bgcolor =
|caption = ] and ] at {{stnlnk|Penzance}}
|image_filename = The perils of the late afternoon sun! by Phil Wakely.jpg
|image_size = 275px
|caption= ] in the GWR livery passing ]
|franchise = {{unbulleted list|InterCity Great Western {{nowrap|4 February 1996{{snd}}31 March 2006}}|] {{nowrap|1 April 2006{{snd}}25 June 2028<ref name = 2022contract />}}}}
|widthpx=300px
|logo = Greater west railw logo.svg
|franchise = {{unbulleted list|InterCity Great Western<br>4 February 1996 – 31 March 2006|]<br>1 April 2006 - 30 March 2019<ref name=BBCrenewal>{{cite news |title= FirstGroup's Great Western rail deal extended to 2019 |url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-32014409 |accessdate=23 March 2015 |publisher=BBC News |date=23 March 2015}}</ref>}}
|logo_size =
|logo_filename = GreaterWesternRailway.svg
|regions = {{cslist|]|]|]|]}}
|logo_width= 100px
|secregions = {{cslist|]|]}}
|nameforarea = region
|regions = ], ], ], ]
|secregions = ]
|abbr = GW |abbr = GW
|predecessor = {{plainlist|
* ]
* ]
}}
|fleet = |fleet =
{{plainlist| {{plainlist|
*8 {{brc|08}} shunting locos
*119 ] for 54 ] sets
*4 {{BRC|43|dab=HST}} ''HST Castle'' sets
*4 {{brc|57}} diesel locomotives
*8 {{brc|143}} ''Pacer'' sets *5 {{BRC|57}} diesel locomotives for 2 '']'' sleeper sets
*45 {{brc|150}} ''Sprinter'' sets *20 {{BRC|150}} ''Sprinter'' units
*12 {{brc|153}} ''Super-Sprinter'' sets *18 {{BRC|158}} ''Express Sprinter'' units
*16 {{brc|158}} ''Express Sprinter'' sets *36 {{BRC|165}} ''Networker Turbo'' units
*36 {{brc|165}} ''Network Turbo'' sets *21 {{BRC|166}} ''Networker Turbo'' units
*21 {{brc|166}} ''Network Express Turbo'' *30 {{BRC|387}} ''Electrostar'' units
*5 {{brc|180}} ''Adelante'' sets *57 {{BRC|800}} ''IET'' units
*36 {{BRC|802}} ''IET'' units
}} }}
|stations = over 270 |gauge = {{RailGauge|sg|allk=on}}
|stationsop = 208 |el = {{plainlist|
* ] ]
|passkm0708 = 4985.9 million
}}
|routekm = 2129.2
|stations = over 270<ref name="First Great Western-Stations">{{cite web |title= Station information |url= http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Your-journey/At-the-station/Station-information |publisher= First Great Western |access-date= 6 November 2013 |archive-date= 12 January 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140112103719/http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Your-journey/At-the-station/Station-information |url-status= dead }}</ref>
|stationsop = 199
|length = {{cvt|2129.2|km|order=flip}}{{citation needed|date=April 2023}}
|parent_company = ] |parent_company = ]
|website = www.gwr.com |website = {{Official URL}}
|map = ]}} |map = ]
|map_state = uncollapsed
|map_name = System map
}}
'''First Greater Western''', ] '''Great Western Railway''' ('''GWR'''), is a British ] owned by ] that provides services in the ] franchise area. It manages 197 stations and its trains call at over 270. GWR operates long-distance inter-city services along the ] to and from the ] and ], inter-city services from London to the ] via the ], and the '']'' ] between London and ]. It provides outer-suburban services in West London; commuter services from its London terminus at {{rws|London Paddington}} to the ] region, including parts of ] and ], and ]; and regional services throughout the West of England and South Wales to the South coast of England. Great Western Railway also operates the ] service.


The company began operating in February 1996 as '''Great Western Trains''', as part of the ]. In December 1998, it became '''First Great Western''' after FirstGroup bought out its partners' shares in ]. In April 2006, First Great Western, ] and ] were combined into the new Greater Western franchise and brought under the First Great Western brand. The company adopted its current name and a new livery in September 2015 to coincide with the start of a newly extended contract that was subsequently extended to run until June 2028.
'''Great Western Railway''' ('''GWR''') is a British ] owned by ]. It manages 208 stations and its trains call at over 270.<ref name="First Great Western-Stations">{{cite web |title= Station information |url= http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Your-journey/At-the-station/Station-information |publisher= First Great Western |accessdate=6 November 2013}}</ref> GWR provides the majority of commuter/outer-suburban services from its London terminus at ] to West London, the ] region including ], parts of ] and ]. It operates long-distance inter-city services along the ] to ], ] and ]. It also provides regional services throughout the West of England to the south coast of England. It also operates the '']'' ] between London and Penzance.


==History==
Great Western Railway Intercity trains operate to/from ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ]. The operator serves 19 counties in England, including all counties of South West England, and 9 in Wales.
] as operated by the original Great Western Trains franchise in 1996-1998]]
As part of the ], the Great Western ] franchise was awarded by the ] to ] in December 1995, and it began operations on 4 February 1996. Great Western Holdings was owned by some former ] managers (51%), ] (24.5%) and ] (24.5%).<ref>{{Cite news |url= https://www.theguardian.com/uk/1997/sep/20/alexbellos |title=The passenger train | last1 = Bellos | first1 = Alex |date=20 September 1997 |work=The Guardian |location= London |access-date=4 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{citation|url=http://www.parliament.uk/documents/commons/lib/research/rp99/rp99-080.pdf |title=Railway Organisations Research Paper 99/80 |publisher=House of Commons Library |date=20 September 1999}}</ref>


In March 1998, FirstGroup bought out its partners' stakes to give it 100% ownership.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/oldbusiness/62790.stm |title=Rail takeover to benefit passengers |publisher=BBC News |date=6 March 1998}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.independent.co.uk/news/rail-bosses-cash-in-on-privatised-gravy-train-1148696.html |title=Rail bosses cash in on privatised gravy train |newspaper=The Independent |date=7 March 1998 |location= London | first1 = Randeep | last1 = Ramesh}}</ref><ref>{{cite report |archive-url=https://www.webarchive.org.uk/wayback/archive/20081216123006/http://www.firstgroup.com/assets/pdfs/investors/annual_reports/1999_annual_report.pdf |archive-date=16 December 2008 |url=http://www.firstgroup.com/assets/pdfs/investors/annual_reports/1999_annual_report.pdf |title=Annual Report 31 March 1999 |publisher=FirstGroup plc |url-status=dead}}</ref> In December 1998, the franchise was rebranded First Great Western.<ref>{{cite magazine |title= It's First Great Western |magazine= ] |issue=346 |date= 16 December 1998 |page=7}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://data.companieshouse.gov.uk/doc/company/05113733 |title=Companies House extract company no 5113733 |publisher=First Greater Western Limited}}</ref>
The company began operating on 4 February 1996 as '''Great Western Trains''', as part of the ], and in December 1998 became '''First Great Western'''<ref> First Greater Western Limited</ref> after FirstGroup bought out its partners' shares in ]. On 1 April 2006, First Great Western, ] and ] were combined into the new ] and brought under the First Great Western brand. On 20 September 2015, FirstGroup started to operate an extended franchise that is due to run until 30 March 2019. To coincide with the new franchise, the company rebranded as Great Western Railway and introduced a new livery.<ref name=BBC/>


On 1 April 2004, ] began operating the ] franchise. It ran local services from Paddington to {{Stnlnk|Slough}}, {{Stnlnk|Henley-on-Thames}}, {{Stnlnk|Reading}}, {{stnlnk|Didcot Parkway}}, {{Stnlnk|Oxford}}, {{Stnlnk|Newbury}}, {{Stnlnk|Bedwyn}}, {{rws|Worcester Shrub Hill}}, {{Stnlnk|Hereford}}, {{Stnlnk|Banbury}} and {{rws|Stratford-upon-Avon}}. It also operated services from Reading to {{Stnlnk|Gatwick Airport}} (via {{rws|Guildford}} and {{Stnlnk|Dorking}}), and from Reading to {{Stnlnk|Basingstoke}}.<ref name="New Rail Franchise Begins">{{cite press release |title=New Rail Franchise Begins |url= http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/NewsItem.aspx?id=283 |publisher=First Great Western |date=1 April 2004 |access-date=24 July 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081116024110/http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/NewsItem.aspx?id=283 |archive-date=16 November 2008}}</ref>
==History==
As part of the ], the Great Western ] franchise was awarded by the ] to ] in December 1995. Great Western Holdings was owned by some former ] managers (51%), ] (24.5%) and ] (24.5%).<ref>. ''The Guardian'' (London). 20 September 1997.</ref><ref> House of Commons Library 20 September 1999.</ref>


]
In March 1998, FirstGroup bought out its partners' stakes to give it 100% ownership.<ref> ] 6 March 1998</ref><ref> '']'' 7 March 1998</ref><ref> FirstGroup plc</ref> In December 1998, the franchise was rebranded as First Great Western.<ref>"It's First Great Western". '']'' (Peterborough). Issue 346. 16 December 1998. Page 7.</ref>
On 1 April 2006, the Great Western, Great Western Link and ] franchises were combined into a new Greater Western franchise. FirstGroup, ] and ] were shortlisted to bid for it. On 13 December 2005, it was announced that FirstGroup had won the franchise.<ref>{{cite news |title= FirstGroup wins rail franchises |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4523592.stm |date=13 December 2005 |work= BBC News}}</ref> Originally, First planned to subdivide its services into three categories based on routes.<ref>{{cite press release |url= http://www.firstgroup.com/corpfirst/newsarchives.php?id=213&action=view&year=2005&month=12 |archive-url= https://archive.today/20071220235637/http://www.firstgroup.com/corpfirst/newsarchives.php?id=213&action=view&year=2005&month=12 |url-status= dead |archive-date= 20 December 2007 |title= Award of The Greater Western & Thameslink/Great Northern Franchises| date=13 December 2005 |access-date= 25 September 2007 |publisher= FirstGroup}}</ref> Following feedback from staff and stakeholders, the decision was taken to re-brand and re-livery all services as 'First Great Western'.<ref name="One Brand">{{cite web |url=http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Default.aspx |title=First Great Western homepage |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091124030010/http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Default.aspx |archive-date=24 November 2009}}</ref>


In May 2011, FirstGroup announced that it had decided not to take up the option to extend its franchise beyond the end of March 2013. It stated that, in the light of the £1{{nbsp}}billion ] from London via Bristol to Cardiff, it wished to try to negotiate a longer-term deal. CEO ] said: "We believe we are best placed to manage these projects and capture the benefits through a longer-term franchise."<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-13351368 |title= First Great Western bids for longer rail franchise deal |work=BBC News |date=11 May 2011 |access-date=11 May 2011}}</ref>
]
On 1 April 2004, ] commenced operating the ] franchise. It operated local train services from Paddington to {{rws|Slough}}, {{rws|Henley-on-Thames}}, {{rws|Reading}}, ], {{rws|Oxford}}, {{rws|Newbury}}, {{rws|Bedwyn}}, ], {{rws|Hereford}}, {{rws|Banbury}} and ]. It also operated services from Reading to {{rws|Gatwick Airport}} (via ] and {{rws|Dorking}}), and from Reading to {{rws|Basingstoke}}.<ref name="New Rail Franchise Begins">{{cite press release |title=New Rail Franchise Begins |url= http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/NewsItem.aspx?id=283 |publisher=First Great Western |date=1 April 2004 |accessdate= 24 July 2008}}</ref>


By not taking up the option to extend its original franchise contract for a further three years, FirstGroup avoided having to pay £826.6{{nbsp}}million to the government; it received extra subsidies totalling £133{{nbsp}}million from the government in 2010.<ref>{{cite news | last1 = Milmo | first1 = Dan |title=FirstGroup may give up First Great Western franchise three years early |url= https://www.theguardian.com/business/2011/mar/13/firstgroup-may-abandon-first-great-western-franchise |work=The Observer |access-date=18 November 2011 |location=London |date=13 March 2011}}</ref>
On 1 April 2006, the Great Western, Great Western Link and ] franchises were combined into a new Greater Western franchise. FirstGroup, National Express and ] were shortlisted to bid for this new franchise. On 13 December 2005, it was announced that FirstGroup had won the franchise.<ref>{{cite news |title= FirstGroup wins rail franchises |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4523592.stm |date=13 December 2005 |publisher= BBC News}}</ref> The new franchise kept the name First Great Western. Originally, First planned to subdivide its services into three categories based on routes.<ref>{{cite press release |url= http://www.firstgroup.com/corpfirst/newsarchives.php?id=213&action=view&year=2005&month=12 |archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20071220235637/http://www.firstgroup.com/corpfirst/newsarchives.php?id=213&action=view&year=2005&month=12 |archivedate=20 December 2007 |title= Award of The Greater Western & Thameslink/Great Northern Franchises| date=13 December 2005 |accessdate= 25 September 2007 |publisher= FirstGroup}}</ref> Following feedback from staff and stakeholders, the decision was taken to re-brand and re-livery all services as 'First Great Western'.<ref name="One Brand"></ref>


In March 2012, ], FirstGroup, National Express and Stagecoach were shortlisted to bid for the new franchise. The winner was expected to be announced in December 2012, with the new franchisee taking over in April 2013.<ref name="Rail694">{{cite magazine |title=First leads a field of seven bidding for rail franchises | last1 = Haigh | first1 = Philip |magazine=Rail |date=18 April 2012 |pages=8–9 |issue=694 |location= Peterborough}}</ref> But it was announced in July 2012 that the franchise would be extended, due to the late issue of the ] (ITT).<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.railnews.co.uk/news/2012/07/19-great-western-franchise-to-be.html |title=Great Western franchise to be extended |date=19 July 2012 |access-date=19 July 2012 |work= RailNews |location= Wellingborough}}</ref> The ITT ran from the end of July until October 2012. The winner would have been announced in March 2013, and taken on the franchise from 21 July 2013 until the end of July 2028.<ref name="ITT">{{cite press release |title=New Great Western franchise to deliver new express trains |url= http://www.dft.gov.uk/news/press-releases/dft-press-20120727a/ |publisher= ] |date=27 July 2012 |access-date=29 July 2012}}</ref> The new franchise would include the introduction of new ], capacity enhancements and ].<ref name="decrease">{{cite news |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-19208862 |title=Weston-super-Mare to London rail re-franchise concerns |date=10 August 2012 |access-date=13 August 2012 |work=BBC News}}</ref> The award of the franchise was again delayed in October 2012, while the ] (DfT) reviewed the way rail franchises were awarded.
In May 2011, FirstGroup announced that it had decided not to take up the option to extend its franchise beyond the end of March 2013. FirstGroup stated that, in the light of the £1bn ] from London via Bristol to Cardiff, it wanted to try to negotiate a longer-term deal. CEO ] said: "We believe we are best placed to manage these projects and capture the benefits through a longer-term franchise."<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-13351368 |title= First Great Western bids for longer rail franchise deal |publisher=BBC News |date=11 May 2011 |accessdate=11 May 2011}}</ref>


In January 2013, the government announced that the current competition for the franchise had been aborted, and that FirstGroup's contract had been extended until October 2013.<ref>{{cite press release |url= https://www.gov.uk/government/news/rail-franchising-future-programme |title= Rail franchising future programme |publisher= Department for Transport |date=31 January 2013}}</ref> A two-year franchise extension until September 2015 was agreed in October 2013,<ref name="rnextend">{{cite news |url= http://www.railnews.co.uk/news/2013/10/03-first-celebrates-lastminute-great-western.html |title=First celebrates last-minute Great Western deal |work=Railnews |location= Wellingborough |date=3 October 2013 |access-date=4 October 2013}}</ref><ref name="bbcextend">{{cite news |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-24378053 |title=First Great Western retains Wales and west rail franchise |work=BBC News |date=3 October 2013 |access-date=4 October 2013}}</ref> and subsequently extended until March 2019.<ref name="bbcextend2">{{cite news |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-29565156 |title= First Great Western offered new franchise deal |date=10 October 2014 |access-date=10 October 2014 |work=BBC News}}</ref><ref name="guardianextend2">{{cite news |url= https://www.theguardian.com/business/2014/oct/10/firstgroup-great-western-contract-extension-rail |title=FirstGroup wins Great Western contract extension |date=10 October 2014 |access-date=10 October 2014 |work= The Guardian | first1 = Gwyn | last1 = Topham |location= London}}</ref><ref name="rnextend2">{{cite news |url= http://www.railnews.co.uk/news/2014/10/10-updated-franchise-schedule-signals-gw.html |title= Updated franchise schedule signals GW extension |date=10 October 2014 |access-date=10 October 2014 |work= Railnews}}</ref> A further extension to April 2019 was granted in March 2015.<ref name="BBCrenewal">{{cite news |title= FirstGroup's Great Western rail deal extended to 2019 |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-32014409 |access-date=23 March 2015 |work=BBC News |date=23 March 2015}}</ref>
By not taking up the option to extend its original franchise contract for a further three years, FirstGroup avoided having to pay £826.6m to the government; it received extra subsidies totalling £133m from the government in 2010.<ref>{{cite news |last=Milmo |first=Dan |title=FirstGroup may give up First Great Western franchise three years early |url= http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2011/mar/13/firstgroup-may-abandon-first-great-western-franchise |work=The Observer |accessdate=18 November 2011 |location=London |date=13 March 2011}}</ref>


The refurbishment of first-class carriages in 2014 included interiors that featured a new GWR logo,<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.businesstraveller.com/news/2014/08/22/first-great-western-unveils-refurbished-first-class-carriages/ |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180528113859/https://www.businesstraveller.com/news/2014/08/22/first-great-western-unveils-refurbished-first-class-carriages/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 May 2018 |title=First Great Western unveils refurbished first class carriages |work=Business Traveller |date=28 May 2018 |access-date=28 May 2018}}</ref> with no First branding. The whole company was rebranded Great Western Railway (GWR) on 20 September 2015,<ref>{{cite web |title=First Greater Western Limited |url= https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/05113733 |publisher=Companies House |access-date=29 December 2017}}</ref> with the introduction of a green livery in recognition of the former ] which existed between 1835 and 1947.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Benke |first1=Mike |title=First Great Western extend franchise until 2019 - largest train fleet upgrade in generation |url= http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/archive/2015/03/23/11872796.UPDATE__First_Great_Western_extend_franchise_until_2019___largest_train_fleet_upgrade_in_generation/?ref=arc |access-date=24 March 2015 |work=Swindon Advertiser |date=23 March 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150402192557/http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/archive/2015/03/23/11872796.UPDATE__First_Great_Western_extend_franchise_until_2019___largest_train_fleet_upgrade_in_generation/?ref=arc |archive-date=2 April 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title= First Great Western to become a thing of the past as Great Western Railway launched |url= http://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/news/13771735.First_Great_Western_to_become_a_thing_of_the_past_as_Great_Western_Railway_launched/ |work= Wiltshire Gazette & Herald |location= Trowbridge |date=20 September 2015}}</ref> The new livery was introduced when HST interiors were refurbished, and on sleeper carriages and Class 57/6 locomotives.<ref name="BBC">{{cite news |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-34292550 |title= First Great Western unveils rebranded Great Western Railway trains |work=BBC News |date=21 September 2015 |access-date=23 September 2015}}</ref>
] at Paddington in the new Great Western Railway colours]]
In March 2012 ], FirstGroup, National Express and Stagecoach were shortlisted to bid for the new franchise. The winner was expected to be announced in December 2012, with the new franchisee taking over in April 2013;<ref name=Rail694>{{cite journal |title=First leads a field of seven bidding for rail franchises |author=Haigh, Philip |journal=] |date=18 April 2012 |pages=8–9 |issue=694 |location=Peterborough}}</ref> however, it was announced in July 2012 that the franchise would be extended, due to the late issue of the ] (ITT).<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.railnews.co.uk/news/2012/07/19-great-western-franchise-to-be.html |title=Great Western franchise to be extended |date=19 July 2012 |accessdate=19 July 2012 |work= RailNews}}</ref> The ITT ran from the end of July until October 2012. The winner would have been announced in March 2013, and taken on the franchise from 21 July 2013 until the end of July 2028.<ref name="ITT">{{cite press release |title=New Great Western franchise to deliver new express trains |url=http://www.dft.gov.uk/news/press-releases/dft-press-20120727a/ |publisher=] |date=27 July 2012 |accessdate=29 July 2012}}</ref> The new franchise would include the introduction of new ], capacity enhancements and ].<ref name="decrease">{{cite news |url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-19208862 |title=Weston-super-Mare to London rail re-franchise concerns |date=10 August 2012 |accessdate=13 August 2012 |publisher=BBC News}}</ref> The award of the franchise was again delayed in October 2012, while the Department for Transport reviewed the way rail franchises are awarded.


In May 2018, ] {{ndash}} which later became the ] {{ndash}} took over services from Paddington to {{rws|Hayes & Harlington}}, and then some stopping services to Reading in December 2019.<ref>{{cite press release |url= https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2018/may/tfl-to-operate-heathrow-connect-services-ahead-of-elizabeth-line-opening |title= TfL to operate Heathrow Connect services ahead of Elizabeth Line opening |date=18 May 2018 |publisher= Transport for London}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |url= https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2019/september/tfl-rail-to-operate-services-to-reading-from-15-december |date=26 September 2019 |title=TfL Rail to operate services to Reading from 15 December |publisher= Transport for London}}</ref> becoming part of the ] service.
In January 2013, the government announced that the current competition for the franchise had been terminated, and that FirstGroup's contract had been extended until October 2013.<ref>{{cite press release |url= https://www.gov.uk/government/news/rail-franchising-future-programme |title= Rail franchising future programme |publisher= Department for Transport |date=31 January 2013}}</ref> A two-year franchise extension until September 2015 was agreed in October 2013,<ref name="rnextend">{{cite news |url= http://www.railnews.co.uk/news/2013/10/03-first-celebrates-lastminute-great-western.html |title=First celebrates last-minute Great Western deal |work=Railnews |date=3 October 2013 |accessdate=4 October 2013}}</ref><ref name="bbcextend">{{cite news |url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-24378053 |title=First Great Western retains Wales and west rail franchise |publisher=BBC News |date=3 October 2013 |accessdate=4 October 2013}}</ref> and subsequently extended until March 2019.<ref name="bbcextend2">{{cite news |url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-29565156 |title= First Great Western offered new franchise deal |date=10 October 2014 |accessdate=10 October 2014 |publisher=BBC News}}</ref><ref name="guardianextend2">{{cite news |url= http://www.theguardian.com/business/2014/oct/10/firstgroup-great-western-contract-extension-rail |title=FirstGroup wins Great Western contract extension |date=10 October 2014 |accessdate=10 October 2014 |work= The Guardian |location= London}}</ref><ref name="rnextend2">{{cite news |url= http://www.railnews.co.uk/news/2014/10/10-updated-franchise-schedule-signals-gw.html |title= Updated franchise schedule signals GW extension |date=10 October 2014 |accessdate=10 October 2014 |work= Railnews}}</ref> A further extension to April 2019 was granted in March 2015.<ref name=BBCrenewal/>


In March 2020, the DfT awarded a further extension to 31 March 2023.<ref>{{cite press release |url= https://www.gov.uk/government/news/critical-rail-services-protected-in-new-deals-for-gwr-and-southeastern |title= Critical rail services protected in new GWR and Southeastern |publisher= Department for Transport |date=30 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200401051953/https://www.railwaygazette.com/uk/firstgroup-says-new-great-western-contract-has-appropriate-balance-of-risk-and-reward/56134.article |archive-date=1 April 2020|url= https://www.railwaygazette.com/uk/firstgroup-says-new-great-western-contract-has-appropriate-balance-of-risk-and-reward/56134.article |title= FirstGroup says new Great Western contract has appropriate balance of risk and reward |magazine= Railway Gazette International |location= London |date=30 March 2020}}</ref>
The company rebranded itself as Great Western Railway (GWR) on 20 September 2015 and introduced a green livery in recognition of the former ].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Benke |first1=Mike |title= First Great Western extend franchise until 2019 - largest train fleet upgrade in generation |url= http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/archive/2015/03/23/11872796.UPDATE__First_Great_Western_extend_franchise_until_2019___largest_train_fleet_upgrade_in_generation/?ref=arc |accessdate=24 March 2015 |work=Swindon Advertiser |date=23 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title= First Great Western to become a thing of the past as Great Western Railway launched |url= http://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/news/13771735.First_Great_Western_to_become_a_thing_of_the_past_as_Great_Western_Railway_launched/ |work= Wiltshire Gazette & Herald |location= Trowbridge |date=20 September 2015}}</ref> The new brand was first rolled out when first-class HST interiors were refurbished, on sleeper carriages and Class 57/6 locomotives.<ref name=BBC>{{cite news |url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-34292550 |title= First Great Western unveils rebranded Great Western Railway trains |publisher=BBC News |date=21 September 2015 |accessdate=23 September 2015}}</ref>

In June 2022, the DfT replaced the franchise agreement with a direct award contract that expires on 25 June 2028, with an option to extend for a further three years.<ref name = 2022contract >{{cite web | url = https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1122644/first-greater-western-ltd-2022-nrc.pdf | title = First Greater Western Limited 2022 national rail contract | publisher = Department for Transport | date = 14 June 2022 | access-date = 5 March 2023}}</ref>

GWR is one of several train operators impacted by the ], which are the first national rail strikes in the UK for three decades.<ref>{{Cite news |url = https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-61573206 |title = Rail strike: RMT union votes for national action |work = ] |date = 24 May 2022 |access-date = 24 May 2022}}</ref> Its workers are amongst those who are participating in ] due to a dispute over pay and working conditions.<ref>{{cite news |url = https://inews.co.uk/news/strike-dates-this-week-when-train-tube-strikes-start-why-how-travel-affected-1695412 |title = The dates of the train, Tube and bus strikes this week, and how services will be affected |date = 20 June 2022 |last=Finnis|first=Alex|newspaper=]|publisher=]|location=] |access-date = 24 June 2022}}</ref>


==Routes== ==Routes==
Great Western Railway is the primary operator in ], ], ], ], ], ] and ]. Great Western Railway operates routes west of London including those towards south west England such as ], ], ], ], as well as ], ], ] and ].

The following is a simplified list of regular off-peak weekday service from the June 2024 timetables.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gwr.com/travel-information/train-times|title=Train Times|location=]|publisher=Great Western Railway|access-date=30 September 2024}}</ref>


===Intercity===
{| class="wikitable" {| class="wikitable"
|- |-
! colspan="3" style="background:#{{FGW color}}; color:White" | '''South Wales''' ! colspan="3" | London to South Wales
|- |-
! width="250px" | '''Route''' || '''tph''' || '''Calling at''' ! width="250px"<!-- do NOT remove the px from this, non-zero dimensions must have units --> | Route !! {{abbr|tph|trains per hour}} !! Calling at
|- |-
| {{Stnlnk|London Paddington}} to {{Stnlnk|Cardiff Central}} || 1 || {{cslist
| London Paddington to Cardiff Central || 1 || ], ], ], ], ] and ].
|{{Stnlnk|Reading}}
|{{Stnlnk|Swindon}}
|{{Stnlnk|Bristol Parkway}}
|{{Stnlnk|Newport}}
}}
|- |-
| London Paddington to {{Stnlnk|Swansea}} || 1 || {{cslist
| London Paddington to Swansea || 1 || ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ]. The London-bound Capitals United service to London Paddington from Swansea omits the Reading call.
|Reading
|Swindon
|Bristol Parkway
|Newport
|Cardiff Central
|{{Stnlnk|Bridgend}}
|{{Stnlnk|Port Talbot Parkway}}
|{{Stnlnk|Neath}}
}}
7 trains per day continue to {{Stnlnk|Carmarthen}} mainly calling at {{Stnlnk|Llanelli}} and {{Stnlnk|Pembrey & Burry Port}}.
|- |-
! colspan="3" style="background:#{{FGW color}}; color:White" | '''Bristol''' ! colspan="3" | London to Bristol and Somerset
|- |-
! width="250px" | '''Route''' || '''tph''' || '''Calling at''' ! Route !! {{abbr|tph|trains per hour}} !! Calling at
|- |-
| {{Stnlnk|London Paddington}} to {{Stnlnk|Bristol Temple Meads}} || 2 || {{cslist
| London Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads || 2 || ], ], ], ], ] and ].
|{{Stnlnk|Reading}}
*Some services are extended to Weston-super-Mare, calling additionally at Nailsea and Backwell, Yatton and Worle. Some services are extended further to Taunton, Exeter St Davids, Plymouth or Penzance.
|{{Stnlnk|Didcot Parkway}} ({{abbr|1tph}})
The 04:47 service from Bristol Temple Meads to London Paddington goes via Bristol Parkway instead of Bath Spa and Chippenham.
|{{Stnlnk|Swindon}}
|{{Stnlnk|Chippenham}}
|{{Stnlnk|Bath Spa}}
}}
1 train every 2 hours continues towards {{Stnlnk|Weston-super-Mare}}, calling at {{Stnlnk|Nailsea and Backwell}}, {{rws|Yatton}} and {{Stnlnk|Worle}}.
|- |-
! colspan="3" style="background:#{{FGW color}}; color:White" | '''West Country''' ! colspan="3" | London to Devon and Cornwall
|- |-
! width="250px" | '''Route''' || '''tph''' || '''Calling at''' ! Route !! {{abbr|tph|trains per hour}} !! Calling at
|- |-
| {{Stnlnk|London Paddington}} to {{Stnlnk|Exeter St Davids}} || {{abbr|1tp2h|1 train per 2 hours}} || {{cslist
| London Paddington to Plymouth/Penzance || 1 || ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ].
|{{Stnlnk|Reading}}
|{{Stnlnk|Newbury}}
|{{Stnlnk|Hungerford}}
|{{Stnlnk|Pewsey}}
|{{Stnlnk|Westbury}}
|{{Stnlnk|Castle Cary}}
|{{Stnlnk|Taunton}}
|{{Stnlnk|Tiverton Parkway}}
}}
Some trains continue to {{Stnlnk|Paignton}} or {{Stnlnk|Plymouth}}, calling at various intermediate stations.
|-
| London Paddington to {{Stnlnk|Plymouth}} || {{abbr|1tp2h|1 train per 2 hours}} || {{cslist
|{{Stnlnk|Reading}}
|{{Stnlnk|Taunton}}
|{{Stnlnk|Tiverton Parkway}}
|{{Stnlnk|Exeter St Davids}}
|{{Stnlnk|Newton Abbot}}
|{{Stnlnk|Totnes}}
}}
Alternates with services between London Paddington and Penzance to provide an hourly service on this route
|-
| London Paddington to {{Stnlnk|Penzance}} || {{abbr|1tp2h|1 train per 2 hours}} || {{cslist
|{{Stnlnk|Reading}}
|{{Stnlnk|Taunton}}
|{{Stnlnk|Tiverton Parkway}}
|{{Stnlnk|Exeter St Davids}}
|{{Stnlnk|Newton Abbot}}
|{{Stnlnk|Totnes}}
|{{Stnlnk|Plymouth}}
|{{Stnlnk|Liskeard}}
|{{Stnlnk|Bodmin Parkway}}
|{{Stnlnk|Par}}
|{{Stnlnk|St Austell}}
|{{Stnlnk|Truro}}
|{{Stnlnk|Redruth}}
|{{Stnlnk|Camborne}}
|{{Stnlnk|St Erth}}
}}
Alternates with services between London Paddington and Plymouth to provide an hourly service between those stations
|-
! colspan="3" | London to Oxford and The Cotswolds
|-
! Route !! {{abbr|tph|trains per hour}} !! Calling at
|-
| {{Stnlnk|London Paddington}} to {{Stnlnk|Oxford}} || 1 || {{cslist
|{{Stnlnk|Reading}}
|{{Stnlnk|Didcot Parkway}} (Oxford-bound only)
}}
|-
| London Paddington to {{Stnlnk|Great Malvern}} || 1 || {{cslist
|Reading
|Didcot Parkway (London-bound only)
|Oxford
|{{Stnlnk|Hanborough}}
|{{Stnlnk|Charlbury}}
|{{Stnlnk|Kingham}}
|{{Stnlnk|Moreton-in-Marsh}}
|{{Stnlnk|Honeybourne}}
|{{Stnlnk|Evesham}}
|{{Stnlnk|Pershore}}
|{{Stnlnk|Worcestershire Parkway}}
|{{Stnlnk|Worcester Shrub Hill}}
|{{Stnlnk|Worcester Foregate Street}}
|{{Stnlnk|Malvern Link}}
}}
Certain trains terminate at Worcester while others continue to {{Stnlnk|Hereford}} calling at {{Stnlnk|Colwall}} and {{Stnlnk|Ledbury}}.
|-
| London Paddington to {{Stnlnk|Cheltenham Spa}} || 1 || {{cslist|
|Reading
|{{Stnlnk|Didcot Parkway}}
|{{Stnlnk|Swindon}}
|{{Stnlnk|Kemble}}
|{{Stnlnk|Stroud}}
|{{Stnlnk|Stonehouse}}
|{{Stnlnk|Gloucester}}{{efn|name="rv"|Trains reverse}}
}}
One train per day continues to Worcester Shrub Hill calling at {{stnlnk|Ashchurch for Tewkesbury}}.
|}


===Thames Valley===
Trains run every 2 hours to Penzance after the 10:06 until 14:06 when every train continues to Penzance. The 10:06 and 14:06 do not stop between Reading and Exeter and also do not call at Totnes.
{| class="wikitable"
|- |-
! colspan="3" | Great Western Mainline
! colspan="3" style="background:#{{FGW color}}; color:White" | '''Oxford/Cotswolds'''
|- |-
! width="250px" | '''Route''' || '''tph''' || '''Calling at''' ! width="250px"<!-- do NOT remove the px from this, non-zero dimensions must have units --> | Route !! {{abbr|tph|trains per hour}} !! Calling at
|- |-
| {{Stnlnk|London Paddington}} to {{Stnlnk|Didcot Parkway}} || 2 || {{cslist
| London Paddington to Oxford (Direct) || 2 || ], ] and ].
|{{Stnlnk|Slough}}
|{{Stnlnk|Maidenhead}}
|{{Stnlnk|Twyford}}
|{{Stnlnk|Reading}}
|{{Stnlnk|Tilehurst}}
|{{Stnlnk|Pangbourne}}
|{{Stnlnk|Goring & Streatley}}
|{{Stnlnk|Cholsey}}
}}
|- |-
! colspan="3" |Reading–Taunton Line
| London Paddington to Oxford (Slow) || 2 || ], ], ], <!---Slough?--->], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ].
Some services are extended to/from Worcester Shrub Hill/Worcester Foregate Street and Great Malvern, calling at Hanborough, Charlbury, Shipton, Kingham, Moreton-in-Marsh, Honeybourne, Evesham, Pershore, Worcester Shrub Hill, Worcester Foregate Street, Malvern Link and Great Malvern.
A limited number of services run to/from Hereford and Moreton-in-Marsh.
|- |-
!Route
! colspan="3" style="background:#{{FGW color}}; color:White" | '''Cheltenham Direct'''
!{{Abbr|tph|trains per hour}}
!Calling at
|- |-
| London Paddington to {{Stnlnk|Newbury}} || 1 || {{cslist
! width="250px" | '''Route''' || '''tpd''' || '''Calling at'''
|Reading
|{{Stnlnk|Theale}}
|{{Stnlnk|Thatcham}}
}}
|-
| Reading to Newbury || 1 || {{cslist
|{{Stnlnk|Reading West}}
|Theale
|{{Stnlnk|Aldermaston}}
|{{Stnlnk|Midgham}}
|Thatcham
|{{Stnlnk|Newbury Racecourse}}
}}
|- |-
| Newbury to {{stnlnk|Bedwyn}} || 1 || {{cslist
| London Paddington to Cheltenham Spa || 7 || ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ]
|{{stnlnk|Kintbury}}
|{{stnlnk|Hungerford}}
}}
* One train runs non-stop from Newbury to Bedwyn.
|- |-
! colspan="3" style="background:#{{FGW color}}; color:White" | '''Greenford''' ! colspan="3" | Greenford Branch
|- |-
! width="250px" | '''Route''' || '''tph''' || '''Calling at''' ! Route !! {{abbr|tph|trains per hour}} !! Calling at
|- |-
| {{Stnlnk|West Ealing}} to {{Stnlnk|Greenford}} || 2 || {{cslist|
| London Paddington to Greenford || 2 || ], ], ], ], ], ] and ]
|{{Stnlnk|Drayton Green}}
|{{Stnlnk|Castle Bar Park}}
|{{Stnlnk|South Greenford}}
}}
|- |-
! colspan="3" | Windsor Branch
|- |-
! Route !! {{abbr|tph|trains per hour}} !! Calling at
! colspan="3" style="background:#808080; color:White" | '''Peak Only'''
|- |-
| Slough to {{Stnlnk|Windsor & Eton Central}} || 3 || ''Shuttle service''
! width="250px" | '''Route''' || '''tpd''' || '''Calling at'''
|- |-
! colspan="3" | Marlow Branch
| London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street || 5 || ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ]
|- |-
! Route !! {{abbr|tph|trains per hour}} !! Calling at
| London Paddington to Henley-on-Thames || 4 || ], ], ], ], ].
|- |-
| {{Stnlnk|Maidenhead}} to {{Stnlnk|Marlow}} || 1 || {{cslist
|{{Stnlnk|Furze Platt}}
|{{Stnlnk|Cookham}}
|{{Stnlnk|Bourne End}}{{efn|name="rv"}}
}}
|-
! colspan="3" | Regatta Line
|-
! Route !! {{abbr|tph|trains per hour}} !! Calling at
|-
| {{Stnlnk|Twyford}} to {{Stnlnk|Henley-on-Thames}} || 2 || {{cslist
|{{Stnlnk|Wargrave}}
|{{Stnlnk|Shiplake}}
}}
|-
! colspan="3" | North Downs Line
|-
! Route !! {{abbr|tph|trains per hour}} !! Calling at
|-
| {{Stnlnk|Reading}} to {{Stnlnk|Gatwick Airport}} || 2 || {{cslist
|{{Stnlnk|Wokingham}}
|{{Stnlnk|Crowthorne}} (1tph)
|{{Stnlnk|Sandhurst}} (1tph)
|{{Stnlnk|Blackwater}}
|{{Stnlnk|Farnborough North}} (1tph)
|{{Stnlnk|North Camp}}
|{{Stnlnk|Ash}} (1tph)
|{{Stnlnk|Guildford}}
|{{Stnlnk|Shalford}}
|{{Stnlnk|Chilworth}} ({{abbr|1tp2h|1 train every two hours}})
|{{Stnlnk|Gomshall}} ({{abbr|1tp2h|1 train every two hours}})
|{{Stnlnk|Dorking West}} ({{abbr|1tp2h|1 train every two hours}})
|{{Stnlnk|Dorking Deepdene}}
|{{Stnlnk|Betchworth}} ({{abbr|1tp2h|1 train every two hours}})
|{{Stnlnk|Reigate}}
|{{Stnlnk|Redhill}}{{efn|name="rv"}}
}}
*Trains either serve Chilworth and Gomshall, or Dorking West and Betchworth.
**All remaining trains serve Crowthorne, Sandhurst, Farnborough North, and Ash.
|-
! colspan="3" | Reading–Basingstoke Line
|-
! Route !! {{abbr|tph|trains per hour}} !! Calling at
|-
| {{Stnlnk|Reading}} to {{Stnlnk|Basingstoke}} || 2 || {{cslist
|{{Stnlnk|Reading West}}
|{{Stnlnk|Reading Green Park}}
|{{Stnlnk|Mortimer}}
|{{Stnlnk|Bramley|Hampshire}}
}}
|-
! colspan="3" | Oxford Canal Line
|-
! Route !! {{abbr|tph|trains per hour}} !! Calling at
|-
| {{Stnlnk|Didcot Parkway}} to {{Stnlnk|Oxford}} || {{abbr|1tp2h|1 train every two hours}} || {{cslist
|{{Stnlnk|Appleford}}
|{{Stnlnk|Culham}}
|{{Stnlnk|Radley}}
}}
|-
| {{Stnlnk|Didcot Parkway}} to {{Stnlnk|Banbury}} || {{abbr|1tp2h|1 train every two hours}} || {{cslist
|{{Stnlnk|Culham}}
|{{Stnlnk|Radley}}
|{{Stnlnk|Oxford}}
|{{stnlnk|Tackley}}
|{{stnlnk|Heyford}}
|{{stnlnk|Kings Sutton}}
}}
|} |}


===Commuter routes=== ===Bristol===
{| class="wikitable"
Great Western Railway operates commuter services between London and destinations such as Slough, ], Reading, ], Oxford, ], ], ], ] and ]. There are also services between Reading and ]; between Reading and ] via ] and ]; and between Bristol and Cardiff via Newport.
|-
! colspan="3" | Wessex Mainline
|-
! width="250px"<!-- do NOT remove the px from this, non-zero dimensions must have units --> | Route !! {{abbr|tph|trains per hour}} !! Calling at
|-
| {{Stnlnk|Cardiff Central}} to {{Stnlnk|Portsmouth Harbour}}|| 1 || {{cslist
|{{Stnlnk|Newport}}
|{{Stnlnk|Filton Abbey Wood}}
|{{Stnlnk|Bristol Temple Meads}}{{efn|name="rv"}}
|{{Stnlnk|Bath Spa}}
|{{Stnlnk|Bradford-on-Avon}}
|{{Stnlnk|Trowbridge}}
|{{Stnlnk|Westbury}}
|{{Stnlnk|Warminster}}
|{{Stnlnk|Salisbury}}
|{{Stnlnk|Romsey}}
|{{Stnlnk|Southampton Central}}
|{{Stnlnk|Fareham}}
|{{Stnlnk|Cosham}}
|{{Stnlnk|Fratton}}
|{{Stnlnk|Portsmouth & Southsea}}
}}
|-
! colspan="3" | South Wales to Devon and Cornwall
|-
! Route !! {{abbr|tph|Trains per hour}} !! Calling at
|-
| {{Stnlnk|Cardiff Central}} to {{Stnlnk|Penzance}} || {{abbr|1tp2h|1 train every two hours}} || {{cslist
|{{Stnlnk|Newport}}
|{{Stnlnk|Severn Tunnel Junction}}
|{{Stnlnk|Patchway}}
|{{Stnlnk|Filton Abbey Wood}}
|{{Stnlnk|Bristol Temple Meads}}
|{{Stnlnk|Nailsea & Backwell}}
|{{Stnlnk|Yatton}}
|{{Stnlnk|Worle}}
|{{Stnlnk|Weston-super-Mare}}
|{{Stnlnk|Highbridge and Burnham}}
|{{Stnlnk|Bridgwater}}
|{{Stnlnk|Taunton}}
|{{Stnlnk|Tiverton Parkway}}
|{{Stnlnk|Exeter St Davids}}
|{{Stnlnk|Dawlish}}
|{{Stnlnk|Teignmouth}}
|{{Stnlnk|Newton Abbot}}
|{{Stnlnk|Totnes}}
|{{Stnlnk|Ivybridge}}
|{{Stnlnk|Plymouth}}
|{{Stnlnk|Saltash}}
|{{Stnlnk|St Germans}}
|{{Stnlnk|Liskeard}}
|{{Stnlnk|Bodmin Parkway}}
|{{Stnlnk|Lostwithiel}}
|{{Stnlnk|Par}}
|{{Stnlnk|St Austell}}
|{{Stnlnk|Truro}}
|{{Stnlnk|Redruth}}
|{{Stnlnk|Camborne}}
|{{Stnlnk|Hayle}}
|{{Stnlnk|St Erth}}
}}
* Alternates with services between Cardiff Central and Taunton and services between Plymouth and Penzance to provide an hourly service between those stations
|-
! colspan="3" | Bristol and Somerset
|-
! Route !! tph !! Calling at
|-
| {{Stnlnk|Cardiff Central}} to {{Stnlnk|Taunton}} || {{abbr|1tp2h|1 train every two hours}} || {{cslist
|{{Stnlnk|Newport}}
|{{Stnlnk|Severn Tunnel Junction}}
|{{Stnlnk|Patchway}}
|{{Stnlnk|Filton Abbey Wood}}
|{{Stnlnk|Bristol Temple Meads}}
|{{Stnlnk|Nailsea & Backwell}}
|{{Stnlnk|Yatton}}
|{{Stnlnk|Worle}}
|{{Stnlnk|Weston-super-Mare}}
|{{Stnlnk|Highbridge and Burnham}}
|{{Stnlnk|Bridgwater}}
}}
* Alternates with services between Cardiff Central and Penzance to provide an hourly service on this route
|-
| Weston-super-Mare to {{Stnlnk|Severn Beach}} || 1 || {{cslist
|{{Stnlnk|Weston Milton}}
|Worle
|Yatton
|Nailsea and Backwell
|{{Stnlnk|Parson Street}}|{{Stnlnk|Bedminster}}
|Bristol Temple Meads
|{{Stnlnk|Lawrence Hill}}
|{{Stnlnk|Stapleton Road}}
|{{Stnlnk|Montpelier}}
|{{Stnlnk|Redland}}
|{{Stnlnk|Clifton Down}}
|{{Stnlnk|Sea Mills}}
|{{Stnlnk|Shirehampton}}
|{{Stnlnk|Portway Park & Ride}}
|{{Stnlnk|Avonmouth}}
|{{Stnlnk|St Andrews Road}}
}}
|-
| Bristol Temple Meads to {{Stnlnk|Avonmouth}} || 1 || {{cslist
|Lawrence Hill
|Stapleton Road
|Montpelier
|Redland
|Clifton Down
|Sea Mills
|Shirehampton
|Portway Park & Ride
}}
|-
|Bristol Temple Meads to Filton Abbey Wood || 1 || {{cslist
|Lawrence Hill
|Stapleton Road
|{{Stnlnk|Ashley Down}}
}}
|-
! colspan="3" | Gloucester and the Heart of Wessex Line
|-
! Route !! tph !! Calling at
|-
| {{Stnlnk|Gloucester}} to {{Stnlnk|Weymouth}} || 1tp2h || {{cslist
|{{Stnlnk|Yate}}
|{{Stnlnk|Bristol Parkway}}
|{{Stnlnk|Filton Abbey Wood}}
|{{Stnlnk|Bristol Temple Meads}}{{efn|name="rv"}}
|{{Stnlnk|Keynsham}}
|{{Stnlnk|Oldfield Park}}
|{{Stnlnk|Bath Spa}}
|{{Stnlnk|Bradford-on-Avon}}
|{{Stnlnk|Trowbridge}}
|{{Stnlnk|Westbury}}
|{{Stnlnk|Frome}}
|{{Stnlnk|Bruton}}
|{{Stnlnk|Castle Cary}}
|{{Stnlnk|Yeovil Pen Mill}}
|{{Stnlnk|Thornford}}{{efn|name="rq"|Request stop}}
|{{Stnlnk|Yetminster}}{{efn|name="rq"}}
|{{Stnlnk|Chetnole}}{{efn|name="rq"}}
|{{Stnlnk|Maiden Newton}}
|{{Stnlnk|Dorchester West}}
|{{Stnlnk|Upwey|Dorset}}
}}
* Alternates with services from Gloucester to Westbury to provide an hourly service between those stations
|-
| {{Stnlnk|Gloucester}} to {{Stnlnk|Westbury}} || 1tp2h || {{cslist
|{{Stnlnk|Yate}}
|{{Stnlnk|Bristol Parkway}}
|{{Stnlnk|Filton Abbey Wood}}
|{{Stnlnk|Bristol Temple Meads}}{{efn|name="rv"}}
|{{Stnlnk|Keynsham}}
|{{Stnlnk|Oldfield Park}}
|{{Stnlnk|Bath Spa}}
|{{Stnlnk|Bradford-on-Avon}}
|{{Stnlnk|Trowbridge}}
}}
* 2 trains per day continue to {{stnlnk|Frome}}
* Alternates with services from Gloucester to Weymouth to provide an hourly service on this route
|-
| {{Stnlnk|Worcester Foregate Street}} to {{Stnlnk|Bristol Temple Meads}} || 1 || {{cslist
|{{Stnlnk|Worcester Shrub Hill}}
|{{Stnlnk|Ashchurch}}
|{{Stnlnk|Cheltenham Spa}}
|{{Stnlnk|Gloucester}}{{efn|name="rv"}}
|{{Stnlnk|Cam & Dursley}}
|{{Stnlnk|Yate}}
|{{Stnlnk|Bristol Parkway}}
|{{Stnlnk|Filton Abbey Wood}}
}}
|-
| {{Stnlnk|Bristol Temple Meads}} to {{Stnlnk|Salisbury}} || 1 || {{cslist
|{{Stnlnk|Keynsham}}
|{{Stnlnk|Oldfield Park}}
|{{Stnlnk|Bath Spa}}
|{{Stnlnk|Freshford}}
|{{stnlnk|Avoncliff}}
|{{Stnlnk|Bradford-on-Avon}}
|{{Stnlnk|Trowbridge}}
|{{Stnlnk|Westbury}}
|{{Stnlnk|Warminster}}
}}
* Some services terminate at {{rws|Warminster}}
|-
! colspan="3" | Trans-Wilts Line
|-
! Route !! tph !! Calling at
|-
| {{Stnlnk|Swindon}} to {{Stnlnk|Westbury}} || {{abbr|1tp2h|1 train every two hours}} || {{cslist
|{{Stnlnk|Chippenham}}
|{{Stnlnk|Melksham}}
|{{Stnlnk|Trowbridge}}
}}
|}


===West of England===
Trains are run on various north-south routes from Cardiff, ] and ] to ], ], ], ], ] and ]. Many of these run via Bristol. The company also runs trains on local routes including branch lines in Devon and Cornwall, such as the ], ], ] and ] branch lines in Cornwall; the ], ] and ] branch lines in Devon; and the ] branch line in Devon and Cornwall.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! colspan="3" | Cornish Mainline
|-
! width="250px"<!-- do NOT remove the px from this, non-zero dimensions must have units --> | Route !! tph !! Calling at
|-
| {{Stnlnk|Plymouth}} to {{Stnlnk|Penzance}} || {{abbr|1tp2h|1 train every two hours}} || {{cslist|
| {{Stnlnk|Saltash}}
| {{Stnlnk|St Germans}}
| {{Stnlnk|Liskeard}}
| {{Stnlnk|Bodmin Parkway}}
| {{Stnlnk|Lostwithiel}}
| {{Stnlnk|Par}}
| {{Stnlnk|St Austell}}
| {{Stnlnk|Truro}}
| {{Stnlnk|Redruth}}
| {{Stnlnk|Camborne}}
| {{Stnlnk|Hayle}}
| {{Stnlnk|St Erth}}
}}
* Alternates with services from Cardiff Central to Penzance to provide an hourly service on this route
|-
! colspan="3" | Avocet and Riviera Lines
|-
! Route !! {{abbr|tph|trains per hour}} !! Calling at
|-
| {{Stnlnk|Exmouth}} to {{Stnlnk|Paignton}} || 2 || {{cslist|
| {{Stnlnk|Lympstone Village}}
| {{Stnlnk|Lympstone Commando}} (1tph){{efn|name="rq"}}
| {{Stnlnk|Exton}} (1tph){{efn|name="rq"}}
| {{Stnlnk|Topsham}}
| {{Stnlnk|Newcourt|England}}
| {{Stnlnk|Digby and Sowton}}
| {{Stnlnk|Polsloe Bridge}} (1tph)
| {{Stnlnk|St James Park}} (1tph)
| {{Stnlnk|Exeter Central}}
| Exeter St Davids{{efn|name="rv"}}
| {{Stnlnk|Exeter St Thomas}} (1tph)
| {{Stnlnk|Marsh Barton}} (1tph)
| {{Stnlnk|Starcross}} (1tph)
| {{Stnlnk|Dawlish Warren}} (1tph)
| {{Stnlnk|Dawlish}}
| {{Stnlnk|Teignmouth}}
| {{Stnlnk|Newton Abbot}}
| {{Stnlnk|Torre}}
| {{Stnlnk|Torquay}}
}}
* Trains either serve Lympstone Commando, Exton, Polsloe Bridge, and St James Park, or Exeter St Thomas, Marsh Barton, Starcross, and Dawlish Warren.
|-
! colspan="3" | Dartmoor and Tarka Lines
|-
! Route !! tph !! Calling at
|-
|{{stnlnk|Exeter Central}} to {{stnlnk|Okehampton}}|| 1 || {{cslist
|{{stnlnk|Exeter St Davids}}
|{{stnlnk|Newton St Cyres}}{{efn|name="rq"}} (limited)
|{{stnlnk|Crediton}}
}}
|-
| {{stnlnk|Exeter Central}} to {{Stnlnk|Barnstaple}} || 1 || {{cslist|
| {{Stnlnk|Exeter St Davids}}
| {{Stnlnk|Newton St Cyres}}{{efn|name="rq"}} (limited)
| {{Stnlnk|Crediton}}
| {{Stnlnk|Yeoford}}{{efn|name="rq"}}
| {{Stnlnk|Copplestone}}
| {{Stnlnk|Morchard Road}}{{efn|name="rq"}}
| {{Stnlnk|Lapford}}{{efn|name="rq"}} (limited)
| {{Stnlnk|Eggesford}}
| {{Stnlnk|Kings Nympton}}{{efn|name="rq"}} (limited)
| {{Stnlnk|Portsmouth Arms}}{{efn|name="rq"}} (limited)
| {{Stnlnk|Umberleigh}}{{efn|name="rq"}}
| {{Stnlnk|Chapelton}}{{efn|name="rq"}} (limited)
}}
*1 train per day continues from Exeter Central to Axminster, calling at {{cslist|{{Stnlnk|Pinhoe}}|{{Stnlnk|Cranbrook|Devon}}|{{Stnlnk|Feniton}}|and {{Stnlnk|Honiton}}}}.
|-
! colspan="3" | Tamar Valley Line
|-
! Route !! tph !! Calling at
|-
| Plymouth to {{Stnlnk|Gunnislake}} || {{abbr|1tp2h|1 train every two hours}} || {{cslist
| {{rws|Devonport}}
| {{rws|Dockyard}} {{efn|name="rq"}}
| {{rws|Keyham}}
| {{Stnlnk|St Budeaux Victoria Road}}
| {{Stnlnk|Bere Ferrers}}
| {{Stnlnk|Bere Alston}}{{efn|name="rv"}}
| {{Stnlnk|Calstock}}
}}
|-
! colspan="3" | Looe Valley Line
|-
! Route !! tph !! Calling at
|-
| Liskeard to {{Stnlnk|Looe}} || 1 || {{cslist|
| {{Stnlnk|Coombe Junction Halt}} ({{abbr|2tpd|2 trains every day}}){{efn|name="rv"}}
| {{Stnlnk|St Keyne Wishing Well Halt}} (1tp2h){{efn|name="rq"}}
| {{Stnlnk|Causeland}} (1tp2h){{efn|name="rq"}}
| {{Stnlnk|Sandplace}} (1tp2h){{efn|name="rq"}}
}}
* One train every 2 hours runs non-stop between Liskeard and Looe.
|-
! colspan="3" | Atlantic Coast Line
|-
! Route !! tph !! Calling at
|-
| Par to {{Stnlnk|Newquay}} || {{abbr|1tp2h|1 train every two hours}} || {{cslist|
| {{Stnlnk|Luxulyan}}{{efn|name="rq"}}
| {{Stnlnk|Bugle}}{{efn|name="rq"}}
| {{Stnlnk|Roche}}{{efn|name="rq"}}
| {{Stnlnk|St Columb Road}}{{efn|name="rq"}}
| {{Stnlnk|Quintrell Downs}}
}}
|-
! colspan="3" | Maritime Line
|-
! Route !! tph !! Calling at
|-
| Truro to {{Stnlnk|Falmouth Docks}} || 2 || {{cslist|
| {{Stnlnk|Perranwell}} ({{abbr|1tph|1 train per hour}})
| {{Stnlnk|Penryn}}
| {{Stnlnk|Penmere}}
| {{Stnlnk|Falmouth Town}}
}}
|-
! colspan="3" | St Ives Bay Line
|-
! Route !! tph !! Calling at
|-
| St Erth to {{Stnlnk|St Ives}} || 2 || {{cslist|
| {{Stnlnk|Lelant Saltings}} ({{abbr|1tpd|1 train every day}})
| {{Stnlnk|Lelant}} ({{abbr|1tp2h|1 train every 2 hours}}){{efn|name="rq"}}
| {{Stnlnk|Carbis Bay}}
}}
|}
{{notelist}}


==Named trains==
Routes operated include:
{{further|List of named passenger trains of the United Kingdom}}
*] (Cardiff—Bristol—Weston-super-Mare—Taunton)
Great Western Railway's ] include:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gwr.com/explore-the-west/named-services|title=Named services|publisher=Great Western Railway|access-date=6 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180629155312/https://www.gwr.com/about-us/meet-our-trains|title=Named trains|website=gwr.com|date=18 November 2024|access-date=18 November 2024}}</ref>
*] (Cardiff-Bristol-Bath-Salisbury-Southampton-Portsmouth)
{| class="wikitable"
*] (Par-Newquay)
! width="250px"<!-- do NOT remove the px from this, non-zero dimensions must have units --> | Name || Origin || Destination
*] (Exeter-Exmouth)
|-
*] (Swindon-Gloucester)
| ''The Armada'' || ] || ]
*] (Bristol-Westbury-Weymouth)
|-
*] (Liskeard-Looe)
| '']'' || London Paddington || ]
*] (Truro-Falmouth)
|-
*] (Exeter-Paignton)
| '']'' || London Paddington || ]
*] (Bristol-Avonmouth-Severn Beach)
|-
*] (St Erth-St Ives)
| ''The Capitals United'' || ] || London Paddington
*] (Plymouth-Gunnislake)
|-
*] (Exeter-Barnstaple)
| '']'' || ] || London Paddington
|-
| '']'' || ] || ]
|-
| '']'' || ] || London Paddington
|-
| '']'' || London Paddington || ]
|-
| '']''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240930064138/https://www.gwr.com/-/media/gwr-sc-website/files/plan-journey/timetables/2024/Train-times-2-June-to-14-December/B3-train-times-2-June-to-14-December-2024.pdf|title=Great Western Railway Guide to train times 21 May to 31 December 2017, C1: London Paddington to Bristol, Cheltenham Spa and South Wales|website=gwr.com|date=21 May 2024|access-date=21 May 2024}}</ref> || ] || ]
|-
| ''The Devon Express'' || ] || ]
|-
| ''The Flying Carolean''<ref>{{Cite web|last=Lydall|first=Ross|date=5 May 2023|title=The Flying Carolean: Royal train gets era of King Charles III off to high-speed start|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/flying-carolean-royal-train-era-king-charles-iii-paddington-gwr-b1079055.html |access-date=5 May 2023|website=Evening Standard|language=en}}</ref> || ] || ]
|-
| '']'' || ] || London Paddington
|-
| '']'' || ] || ]
|-
| '']'' || |London Paddington || ] or ]
|-
| '']'' || ] || ]
|-
| ''The ]''<ref name="gwr.com-2"/> || London Paddington || ]
|-
| '']''<ref name="gwr.com-2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.gwr.com/~/media/gwr/pdfs/timetables/may-2017/gw1705,-d-,c01,-d-,dl,-d-,512988,-d-,00,-d-,web.pdf?la=en|title=Great Western Railway Guide to train times 21 May to 31 December 2017, C1: London Paddington to Bristol, Cheltenham Spa and South Wales|website=gwr.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804174529/https://www.gwr.com/~/media/gwr/pdfs/timetables/may-2017/gw1705,-d-,c01,-d-,dl,-d-,512988,-d-,00,-d-,web.pdf?la=en|archive-date=4 August 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>|| London Paddington || ]
|-
| ''The Royal Duchy'' || London Paddington || ]
|-
| ''The Saint David''<ref name="gwr.com-2"/> || ] || ]
|-
| '']'' || London Paddington || ]
|-
| '']''<ref name="gwr.com-2"/> || ] || ]
|}


====Named trains==== ==Onboard services==
===Pullman Dining===
{{details|List of named passenger trains of the United Kingdom}}
GWR operates ]s on certain West Country and Wales trains to or from London Paddington. They are available to first-class and standard-class passengers, though only first-class passengers may make advance reservations, and they have priority over seats in the restaurant.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hargreaves |first1=Clare |title=Restaurateur Mitch Tonks has given the Great Western Pullman dining car a makeover |url= https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/features/restaurateur-mitch-tonks-has-given-the-great-western-pullman-dining-car-a-makeover-9641279.html |access-date=14 November 2015 |work=The Independent |location= London |date=1 August 2014}}</ref> Meals in the restaurant car are not included in the price of rail tickets.
Great Western Railway operates a number of ], including:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gwr.com/explore-the-west/named-services |title=Named services |publisher=Great Western Railway |accessdate=6 December 2015}}</ref>
* ] (Plymouth-London-Plymouth (and Penzance - Westbound on Fridays only))
* ] (London-Newquay) (Summer timetable only)
* ] (London-Bristol - Westbound only) (Weston-super-Mare - London - Eastbound only)
* The Capitals United (Swansea-London-Swansea)
* ] (Hereford-London-Hereford)
* ] (London-Cheltenham Spa)
* ] (Penzance-London-Penzance)
* ] (London-Penzance)
* The Devon Express (London-Paignton) (Westbound only)
* ] (Penzance-London-Penzance)
* ] (London-Plymouth-London)
* ] (Bristol-London - Eastbound only)
* ] (London-Penzance ])
* The Pembroke Coast Express (London-Pembroke Dock) (Summer Saturday timetable only)
* ] (London-Carmarthen)
* ] (London-Penzance-London)
* ] (London-Swansea)
* ] (London-Paignton-London)


===First class===
The Night Riviera included the UK's last ] service, until that aspect of the service was withdrawn at the end of the 2005 summer season due to low usage.
]
GWR has first class on all its long-distance high-speed services. First class on the IETs includes fabric reclining seating with tables at every seat, as well as an at-seat service provided by a customer host on most journeys.<ref name="gwr.com">{{cite web |url= https://www.gwr.com/plan-journey/first-class |title= First Class Train Travel and Tickets |publisher= Great Western Railway |access-date= 21 March 2018 |archive-date= 21 March 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180321192747/https://www.gwr.com/plan-journey/first-class |url-status= dead }}</ref> Unlike the previous HSTs, the IETs do not have leather first-class seating due to fire regulations.<ref>{{Cite magazine |url= https://www.railmagazine.com/news/rail-features/does-great-western-railway-s-class-800-iet-pass-the-test |title=Does Great Western Railway's Class 800 IET pass the test? |magazine=Rail |location= Peterborough | first1 = Richard | last1 = Clinnick |date=6 December 2017 |access-date=6 February 2020}}</ref> Like the HSTs, there are power sockets and USB charging points at every seat. There is ] throughout the first class-carriages, which GWR describes as 'upgraded'.<ref name="gwr.com"/>


====Pullman Dining==== ===Standard class===
]
Great Western Railway is the only major UK rail operator which still has restaurant cars. These operate on certain trains between London Paddington to the West Country and Wales. It is available to First Class & Standard Class passengers for a premium on top of the fare. It is normally served in Coach K.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hargreaves |first1=Clare |title=Restaurateur Mitch Tonks has given the Great Western Pullman dining car a makeover |url= http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/features/restaurateur-mitch-tonks-has-given-the-great-western-pullman-dining-car-a-makeover-9641279.html |accessdate=14 November 2015 |work=The Independent |location= London |date=1 August 2014}}</ref>
Standard class is provided on all services. Many services on long-distance and regional routes have specific seat reservations.

===Trolley service===
An at-seat trolley service is scheduled to operate on most IET services, with a trolley in each portion of a ten-coach train. This is different from the HSTs, which had buffet counters branded as 'Express Cafes'.


==Performance== ==Performance==
===Disabled passengers===
In July 2018, a disabled woman was threatened by Great Western Railway staff with police action and removal from the train she was travelling in, for using a disabled space for her mobility scooter.<ref>{{Cite news |url= https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-norfolk-44858107 |title= Disabled comedian 'humiliated' on train |date=17 July 2018 |work=BBC News |access-date=17 July 2018}}</ref> Canadian-born comedian ], who has a form of dwarfism, said she was humiliated when a Great Western Railway conductor made an announcement that she was "causing problems" which had delayed the train. The incident occurred after a woman travelling with a young child demanded that Davis make way for her pram.<ref>{{Cite news |url= http://www.itv.com/news/2018-07-17/disabled-comedian-tanyalee-davis-great-western-railway-apology/ |title=Disabled comedian Tanyalee Davis rejects apology from Great Western Railway after 'humiliation' |work=ITV News |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201020010225/https://www.itv.com/news/2018-07-17/disabled-comedian-tanyalee-davis-great-western-railway-apology |archive-date=20 October 2020 |url-status=dead |date=17 July 2018 |access-date=17 July 2018}}</ref> GWR said the incident should not have happened and "No one travelling with us should be left feeling like this".<ref>{{Cite news |url= https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/tanyalee-davis-great-western-railway-guard-disabled-scooter-plymouth-london-a8450776.html |title=Disabled woman 'humiliated by train guard' with announcement over tannoy |work=The Independent |location= London |date=18 July 2018 | first1 = Joanna | last1 = Whitehead}}</ref>


===Punctuality=== ===Strike action===
In 2015, the imminent arrival of the new {{BRC|800}} trains provoked a series of strikes by the ] union over who has the right to control the doors. First Great Western wanted to replace conductors with ] (DOO); however, following several discussions it was agreed to keep conductors on all IET services.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-34007374 |title=Rail strike to go ahead as talks fail| work=BBC News |date=21 August 2015}}</ref>
In 2004–2005, 79.6% of trains arrived on time (defined as within 10 minutes of their scheduled arrival time).<ref>Posters displayed at stations as required by Passenger Charter</ref> On 22 December 2006, the First Great Western InterCity service was declared the worst in Britain for delays, according to figures from the Office of Rail Regulation, with more than one in four trains running late.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/tm_headline=first-great-western-s-intercity-service-the-worst-in-uk-with-more-than-one-in-four-trains-late-&method=full&objectid=18307611&siteid=50082-name_page.html |title= First Great Western's InterCity service the worst in UK with more than one in four trains late |first=Rhodri |last=Clark |date=22 December 2006 |work=Western Mail |location =Cardiff}}</ref> First was also the only train company to achieve a year-on-year fall in performance results.
Another strike took place in early December 2016 amidst a background of ] on a national level. The RMT ballotted Servest UK workers employed on an outsourcing contract to GWR as cleaners; the ballot passed in favour of strike action by 98%. A disruptive transfer period in the outsourcing contract, from ] to Servest UK, had resulted in what the RMT referred to as the creation of a "two-tier workforce" amongst cleaners at GWR, with an inequality in pay and working conditions between cleaners employed directly by GWR and those outsourced to Servest UK.<ref>{{cite press release |url= https://www.rmt.org.uk/news/rmt-confirms-strike-action-by-cleaners-on-gwr/ |title=RMT confirms strike action by cleaners on GWR |publisher=RMT |date=12 October 2016}}</ref> Two 24-hour strikes were held from 06:00 on 16 and 23 December,<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/dec/21/cleaner-gwr-great-western-railway-agency-staff-pay-conditions-striking |title=I'm a cleaner on GWR trains. We're striking because we're treated unfairly - | last1 = Anonymous |date=21 December 2016 |work=The Guardian |location= London}}</ref> followed by a 48-hour strike from 06:00 on 19 January 2017.<ref>{{cite press release |url= https://www.rmt.org.uk/news/gwr-servest-cleaners-striking-for-pay/ |date=19 January 2017 |title=GWR Servest cleaners striking for pay |publisher=RMT}}</ref> Further industrial action was suspended by the RMT following the January strike as a result of an improvement in ongoing negotiations between the RMT, GWR and Servest UK.<ref>{{cite press release |url= https://www.rmt.org.uk/news/rmt-prepared-to-suspend-strike-action/ |title=RMT prepared to suspend strike action |publisher=RMT |date=16 January 2017}}</ref> The dispute was formally resolved in July 2017, as RMT members voted in favour of accepting a new pay deal.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.rmt.org.uk/news/rates-of-pay-and-conditions-of-service11717/ |title=Rates of pay and cojnditions of service 2017 |publisher=RMT |date=11 July 2017}}</ref>


===IET issues===
First Great Western admitted to misreporting the number of cancellations in the period from August to December 2007, revised figures showing the company to have breached the cancellation threshold in the franchise contract. Specifically the company was alleged to have deliberately cancelled trains on the day prior to service without the prior approval of the Department for Transport, and without recording these cancellations on their performance figures. The company was also accused of falsifying records in order to claim dispensation for large numbers of cancellations.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/feb/26/firstgroupbusiness.travelleisure| title=First Great Western close to losing its franchise |date=26 February 2008 |work=The Guardian |location =London |accessdate=24 July 2008 |author=Milmo, Dan}}</ref> First Great Western was named in a ] survey as the worst train operating company for 2007.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.passengerfocus.org.uk/news-and-publications/document-search/document.asp?dsid=1451 |title= National Passenger Survey Autumn 2007 |date=January 2008 |page=14 |accessdate= 9 August 2010 |publisher =Passenger Focus |format=PDF}}</ref>
]
In April 2021, cracks were discovered in the ] brackets (part of the suspension system) of {{BRC|800}} and {{BRC|802|n}} InterCity Express Trains (IET). Eight trains were withdrawn from service and an investigation started into the cause.<ref name="MR2021-06yaw">{{cite magazine|last1=Ford |first1=Roger |title=Yaw damper problems hit CAF and Hitachi |magazine=Modern Railways |date=June 2021 |pages=28–32}}</ref> On 8 May, all these trains and similar ones operated by other companies were taken out of service. Cracks had now been found in the lifting pads (a component fixed near the ]) and it was feared that if these were to fall off they may cause injury or derailment.<ref name="MR2021-06jacking">{{cite magazine|last1=Ford |first1=Roger |title=Jacking point cracking hits Hitachi fleets |magazine=Modern Railways |date=June 2021 |pages=26–27}}</ref><ref name="MR2021-07cracks">{{cite magazine|last1=Ford |first1=Roger |title=Rolling stock cracks crisis update |magazine=Modern Railways |date=July 2021 |pages=34–35}}</ref>


The only IET units that were permitted to operate were those which had been carefully inspected and found to have no significant cracks. This meant that most of GWR's 93 units were unavailable which led to significant disruption to long-distance services. {{BRC|387}} units operated additional services from ] to {{rws|Didcot Parkway}} which were later extended to {{Stnlnk|Swindon}} and {{stnlnk|Bristol Parkway}} after approval was given for them to operate in service on this route. Three additional 387 units were loaned from ] and were modified to work with GWR's fleet, mostly on services to {{stnlnk|Newbury}}. ] operated a service on behalf of GWR from Swindon to {{stnlnk|Bristol Temple Meads}} and the few available 800 and 802, were concentrated on services west of Swindon and to {{Stnlnk|Plymouth}}.<ref name="MR2021-06news">{{cite magazine |title=Cracks crisis |magazine=Modern Railways |date=June 2021 |pages=6–9}}</ref> Plans were agreed on 13 May to increase inspections of the lifting pads and yaw dampers so that more trains could be returned to service.<ref>{{cite news |title=Industry reveals Intercity Express recovery plan |url=https://www.railnews.co.uk/news/2021/05/13-industry-reveals-intercity-express-recovery.html |access-date=27 May 2021 |work=Railnews |date=13 May 2021}}</ref><ref name="MR2021-07GWRrebound">{{cite magazine|last1=Abbott|first1=James|title=Great Western prepares for the rebound|magazine=Modern Railways |date=July 2021 |pages=52–58}}</ref> A further six Class 387 units were loaned from ] in July 2021 and used in a common pool with GWR's existing 387/1 fleet, being surplus to requirements while the '']'' service was suspended.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=GTR to GWR |magazine=The Railway Magazine |issue=1445 |date=August 2021 |page=94}}</ref>
On 6 September 2007 FirstGroup announced changes to its management structure, apparently designed to strengthen the First Great Western commuter services. Anthony Smith, head of the rail users council ''Passenger Focus'' commented, "A fresh management approach is welcome. Clearly, looking at the passenger satisfaction scores for First Great Western, the train company and Network Rail have a lot to do. However, passengers will believe it when they see improvements."<ref>{{cite news |first=Dan |last=Milmo |title=All change on the Great Western line |url= http://business.guardian.co.uk/story/0,,2164053,00.html |date=7 September 2007 |accessdate= 25 September 2007 | work=] |location =London}}</ref>


==Rolling stock==
]
Great Western Railway inherited a fleet of ] sets (] power cars and ]) and {{BRC|57}} locomotives and Mark 3 sleeper coaches from BR. In 2006, it inherited a fleet of {{BRC|165}} and {{BRC|166}} units from First Great Western Link, and a fleet of {{BRC|150}}, {{BRC|153}} and {{BRC|158}} units from Wessex Trains.
Some delays are attributable to Network Rail rather than the operator, as the ] (ORR) found in September 2007,<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2007/09/10/cngwr110.xml |title=Network Rail on probation over First Great Western delays |date=12 January 2007 |author=Osborne, Alistair |work=The Daily Telegraph |location =London |accessdate=24 July 2008}}</ref> when it remarked that the First Great Western service continued "to suffer from very high levels of delays attributed to Network Rail" and described Network Rail's performance as "exceptionally disappointing".


===Inter-City services===
By 2009, passenger satisfaction with First Great Western was described by Passenger Focus as having "significantly improved".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.passengerfocus.org.uk/press/official-statistics-national-passenger-survey-release-3 |title=Official Statistics National Passenger Survey release |year=2009 |publisher=Passenger Focus |accessdate=6 November 2013}}</ref>


====Class 800 Intercity Express Train====
The company is no longer the worst-performing UK rail operator, a title which it held for a long period. However, the ''Which?'' survey of rail passengers published in February 2013 showed the company scoring lowest of the larger operators with less than 40% satisfaction (Virgin, which topped the poll, managed 67%).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.which.co.uk/news/2013/02/virgin-trains-top-which-train-satisfaction-survey-for-second-year-310927/ |title=Virgin trains top Which? train satisfaction survey for second year|date=18 February 2013 |publisher=Which? |accessdate=6 November 2013}}</ref>
]
The fleet of 57 ] trains from the ] family is used to operate most of GWR's long-distance services between London and destinations such as {{stnlink|Swindon}}, {{stnlnk|Chippenham}}, {{stnlnk|Bath Spa}}, {{stnlnk|Bristol Temple Meads}}, {{stnlnk|Newport}}, {{stnlnk|Cardiff Central}}, {{stnlnk|Swansea}}, {{stnlnk|Carmarthen}}, {{stnlnk|Cheltenham Spa}}, {{stnlnk|Oxford}}, {{stnlnk|Worcester Shrub Hill}} and {{stnlnk|Hereford}}. Introduced between autumn 2017 and spring 2019, these gradually replaced the older ] sets.


On 28 April 2021, six Class 800s were withdrawn from service due to cracks being found during maintenance and were sent to Hitachi for inspection.<ref>{{Cite news|date=27 April 2021|title=High-speed GWR trains withdrawn over crack fears|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-56902528|access-date=10 May 2021}}</ref>
The latest punctuality statistics to be released by Network Rail for period 7 of 2013/2014 were 89.3% PPM (]) and a MAA (Moving Annual Average) of 88.8% for the 12 months up to 12 October 2013.<ref name="PerfP7">{{cite web| title = Rail performance results period 7 | url = http://www.networkrail.co.uk/about/performance/ | publisher = Network Rail}}</ref>


====Class 802 Intercity Express Train====
===Remedial Plan===
]
In February 2008 the Secretary of State for Transport stated that FGW had "fallen persistently short of customers' expectations and been unacceptable to both passengers and government". She issued First Great Western with a Breach Notice for misreporting cancellations and a Remedial Plan Notice as a result of exceptionally high levels of cancellations and low passenger satisfaction. As part of the Remedial Plan Notice, First Great Western was required to achieve improvement milestones, to lease five more Class 150 units to allow three-car trains to be used on Portsmouth-Cardiff services, to undertake a much more extensive refurbishment of the Thames Turbo fleet, to offer 50% higher compensation for the duration of the franchise, to offer 500,000 more cheap tickets on off-peak services, and to improve station customer information systems. Failure to do this would result in FGW losing its franchise. FirstGroup's railway operating profit, meanwhile, was reported to have risen 10% in the six months to September 2007.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/rail/passenger/franchises/improveperffgw |title= Improving Performance on First Great Western |date=26 February 2008 |publisher= Department for Transport |archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20080604192416/http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/rail/passenger/franchises/improveperffgw |archivedate= 4 June 2008}} Official release on contents of First Great Western's Remedial Plan Notice. See also ''The Scotsman'', 27 February 2008, p. 38</ref><ref>{{cite press release |url= http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20080305120155/http://www.dft.gov.uk/press/speechesstatements/statements/wmsfgwfranchise |title=First Great Western Franchise |date=26 February 2008 |accessdate= 26 March 2008 |publisher=Department for Transport}}</ref>
Long-distance services between London and destinations in the west of the GWR network (such as {{stnlnk|Paignton}}, {{stnlnk|Newquay}}, Plymouth and {{Stnlnk|Penzance}}) are mostly operated using the fleet of 36 ] trains, the first of which was introduced on 20 August 2018.<ref>{{Cite press release |url= https://www.gwr.com/about-us/media-centre/news/2018/august/new-intercity-express-train-carries-passengers-for-the-first-time |title=New Intercity Express Train carries passengers for the first time |publisher=Great Western Railway |date=21 August 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190331231731/https://www.gwr.com/about-us/media-centre/news/2018/august/new-intercity-express-train-carries-passengers-for-the-first-time |archive-date=31 March 2019 |url-status=dead
|access-date=9 June 2019}}</ref>


These trains are almost identical to the Class 800 trains, except they have a higher engine operating power—{{convert|700|kW|hp|abbr=on}} per engine as opposed to {{convert|560|kW|hp|abbr=on}}—and are fitted with larger fuel tanks to cope with the gradients and extended running in diesel mode on the long unelectrified stretches in Devon and Cornwall.<ref name=todaysrailways/>
By June 2009, FGW had transformed its performance to become one of the UK rail network's more punctual operators, recording 94.6% of trains arriving on time.<ref>{{cite press release |url= http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/content/detail.aspx?releaseid=4453&newsareaid=2 |title= Train punctuality reaches new record high |date=22 June 2009 |accessdate= 24 June 2009 |publisher= Network Rail}}</ref> In February 2010 FGW was named Train Operator of the Year at the national Rail Business awards. Presenting the award, judges said, "First Great Western provides an extensive network of commuter, regional, local and intercity trains. The systems they have put into place over the last two years have made a significant improvement to the service they now provide."<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/news/5003869.First_Great_Western_voted_train_operator_of_the_year/ |title=First Great Western voted train operator of the year |newspaper=The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald |location= Trowbridge |date=12 February 2010 |accessdate=5 November 2013}}</ref>


Hitachi planned to test a tri-mode Class 802 in 2022 fitted with batteries in an attempt to reduce emissions when entering and leaving stations.<ref>{{Cite news |date=6 January 2021 |title=Hitachi targets next year for testing of tri-mode IET |url= https://www.railmagazine.com/news/network/hitachi-targets-next-year-for-testing-of-tri-mode-iet |work=Rail Magazine|location= Peterborough}}</ref>
However, in February 2015 First Great Western came 17th (out of 21) in ''Which?'' magazine's ''Best and worst UK train companies'' survey. Customers gave First Great Western a score of 47% (compared to the worst performing operator, ], with a score of 43%, and the best performing operator, ], with a score of 76%). First Great Western also scored 3/5 stars across five of six specific categories, apart from ''Value for money'' in which First Great Western scored 2/5 stars.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.which.co.uk/home-and-garden/leisure/reviews-ns/best-and-worst-uk-train-companies/best-train-companies-overall/|title=Best and worst UK train companies|publisher=which.co.uk}}</ref>


===Overcrowding=== ===Sleeper services===
]
First Great Western has been criticised for overcrowded trains, and on 22 January 2007 commuters on the Bath-Bristol service staged a protest against overcrowding. Participants were issued with imitation tickets printed with "Ticket type: standing only", "Class: cattle truck", "Route: hell and back", "Price: up 12%". The company threatened protestors with criminal prosecution and fines of £5,000, but staff failed to enforce ticket requirements.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/6285629.stm |title= Passengers in rush-hour protest |date=22 January 2007 |accessdate= 25 September 2007 |publisher=BBC News}}</ref> On 24 January 2007, Alison Forster, First Great Western's Managing Director at that time, apologised to customers.<ref>{{cite news|title=Train company says sorry to users|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/6295071.stm|accessdate=6 December 2015|publisher=BBC News|date=24 January 2007}}</ref>


====Class 57 + Mark 3====
In January 2008 another fare strike was held as a passenger group said that not enough improvements have been made, despite First Great Western announcing that 2008 season tickets and car parking charges would be frozen until the end of the year.<ref>{{cite news |date=22 January 2008 |title=Train operator sorry for service |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7202336.stm |publisher=BBC News |accessdate=6 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=28 January 2008 |title=Fare strikers target rail service |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7212466.stm |publisher=BBC News |accessdate=6 November 2013}}</ref>
]]]
Four ] locomotives have hauled the '']'' sleeper services since 2004 when they replaced ].<ref>{{cite magazine |title=First FGW Class 57s named |magazine=Rail |issue=498 |date=13 October 2004 |page=65}}</ref> Due to poor availability of the 57/6s, ] (DRS) Class 57/3s have been hired from ].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.pressreader.com/uk/rail-uk/20180228/281994672984001|title=Great Western Railway to replace 57/6s on sleepers....but not yet|work=Rail Magazine|date=28 February 2018|access-date=7 June 2023}}</ref> in 2023, former DRS 57312 was placed on permanent lease with GWR.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=DRS reshuffles ahead of Class 37 and 57 departures |magazine=] |issue=326 |date=July 2013 |page=16}}</ref>


=== Thames Valley and Bristol services ===
In August 2010 First Great Western was shown to have operated all of the top ten most overcrowded trains in England and Wales, mostly between {{rws|Reading}} and {{rws|London Paddington}}.<ref name=Sedghi>{{cite web |url= http://theguardian.com/news/datablog/2011/aug/12/train-services-overcrowding-data |title=Overcrowded trains: which are the most cramped journeys? |work=] datablog |author= Sedghi, Ami |location= London |date=12 August 2011|accessdate=6 December 2012}}</ref> By December 2011, this had reduced to two.<ref name=BBCtopten>{{cite news |title=Most overcrowded train services: Figures reveal top 10 |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-20783986 |publisher=BBC News |date=19 December 2012 |accessdate=27 December 2012}}</ref>
====Class 165/1 Networker Turbo====
]
The {{BRC|165}} "Networker Turbo" is a two- or three-coach ] used on shorter-distance services in the Thames Valley area, with the majority based at ]. They are mainly used on branches such as the ], ], ] and ]. They are also used on services between Reading and Basingstoke, Didcot Parkway and Oxford or Banbury and sometimes services between London and Oxford. Some are (and eventually all will be) based at ] in Bristol, where they work on most of the lines in the area including the ], ], ] and ]. From summer 2018, they are due to run on Cardiff Central to Portsmouth Harbour services too.
In response to its Remedial Plan Notice, First Great Western undertook a more thorough refurbishment of the Thames Turbo fleet than originally planned:<ref name="COO statement"/> the trains were to be fitted with improved lighting, carpets, toilets, and a revised seating layout.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Content.aspx?id=1984 |title=London & Thames Valley Refresh |publisher=First Great Western |year=2008 |access-date=24 July 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081114192850/http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Content.aspx?id=1984 |archive-date=14 November 2008 }}</ref> This refurbishment started in September 2016.


====Class 166 Networker Turbo====
In 2011 First Great Western was revealed to be the train company with the highest levels of overcrowding: an average of 16.6% of passengers were shown to standing during the morning and evening peak times.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-14491488 | publisher=BBC News | title=Rail overcrowding 'worsening' in London and South East | date=11 August 2011}}</ref> In 2012 it held the record for the most overcrowded train, carrying nearly twice its capacity, the 07:44 Henley-on-Thames to London Paddington.<ref name=BBCtopten/> Paddington, the London terminus for many FGW services, was identified as the most overcrowded station.<ref name=Sedghi/> The company was also listed as the operator with the most passengers in excess of capacity in the south east region in 2012.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.rail.co/2012/07/05/london-and-south-east-overcrowding-worsens/ |title=London and south east overcrowding worsens |date=5 July 2012 |work=rail.co |accessdate=6 December 2012}}</ref>
]
The {{BRC|166}} "Networker Turbo" is a three-coach DMU, similar to the Class 165 units but with an internal layout more suitable for longer-distance services. They are now mostly based at ] in Bristol, where they currently work on most of the lines in the area including the ], ], ], ] and ].


====Class 387/1 Electrostar====
==Rolling stock==
Great Western Railway inherited a fleet of ] sets (] power cars and ]) and {{brc|57}} locomotives and Mark 3 sleeper coaches from BR. In 2006, it inherited a fleet of {{brc|165}} and {{brc|166}} units from First Great Western Link, and a fleet of {{brc|143}}, {{brc|150}}, {{brc|153}} and {{brc|158}} units from Wessex Trains. Great Western services are operated using diesel trains only, as none of its routes are fully electrified at present.


]
===High-speed services===
The {{BRC|387}} "Electrostar" is a four-coach EMU built by Bombardier, with a 2+2 seating layout, tables, power sockets and free Wi-Fi. It can be operated in four, eight- and twelve-coach formations. The class began to enter service in September 2016 on weekday peak services between London Paddington and Hayes & Harlington, using the overhead electrical equipment used by ]. Services using the class were extended to Maidenhead in May 2017<ref name="Maidenhead">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-39997138|title=Great Western electrification: London and Maidenhead link completed|date=22 May 2017|access-date=22 May 2017|work=BBC News}}</ref> and later to Didcot Parkway,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gwr.com/about-us/modernising-gwr/electrostar|title=New Electrostar Commuter Trains|website=Great Western Railway|language=en|access-date=4 January 2018}}</ref> and from Reading to Newbury.


Bombardier Transportation at ] had modified twelve of these trains by December 2020, installing new first-class seating, Wi-Fi, luggage racks and on-board entertainment, to be used on Heathrow Express services. Rebranded as "]", and refurbished with Heathrow Express moquette, they replaced the existing {{BRC|332}},<ref name="Express">{{cite news|url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/gwr-to-manage-heathrow-express-service.html|title=GWR to manage Heathrow Express service|date=28 March 2018|work=Railway Gazette|access-date=4 April 2018|archive-date=1 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180401105313/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/gwr-to-manage-heathrow-express-service.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> entering service on 29 December 2020.
====High Speed Train====
]
GWR operate most long-distance services between London and destinations such as {{stnlink|Swindon}}, {{stnlnk|Chippenham}}, {{stnlnk|Bath Spa}}, {{stnlnk|Bristol Temple Meads}}, {{stnlnk|Cardiff Central}}, Swansea, {{stnlnk|Carmarthen}}, {{stnlnk|Pembroke Dock}} (summer), {{stnlnk|Paignton}}, {{stnlnk|Newquay}} (summer), {{stnlnk|Cheltenham Spa}}, {{stnlnk|Oxford}}, {{stnlnk|Worcester Shrub Hill}}, {{stnlnk|Hereford}}, Plymouth and Penzance, using its large fleet of 58 HST "InterCity 125" sets.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Content.aspx?id=56|title= High Speed Trains |accessdate= 18 July 2006 |publisher= First Great Western}}</ref> These sets consist of seven or eight Mark 3 coaches between two Class 43 locomotives); GWR operate the largest InterCity 125 fleet and own five sets outright, the rest are leased. From 2009 to 2012 all FGW's intercity services were worked by HSTs except the Night Riviera sleeper service between London Paddington and Penzance, until Class 180s replaced these services on the Cotswolds line.<ref name="adelante">{{cite news|url=http://www.railnews.co.uk/news/2012/07/24-adelantes-return-to-great-western.html|title=Adelantes return to Great Western|date=24 July 2012|accessdate=24 July 2012|work=Railnews}}</ref>


In 2023 3 units were cascaded to ].<ref name="TRUK256" />
]
GWR's High Speed Train fleet were re-engined and refurbished by ] in ] and ] between 2006 and 2008,<ref>{{cite news |title=Bombardier awarded £138 million |url=http://www.theengineer.co.uk/news/bombardier-awarded-138-million/294760.article |newspaper=The Engineer |date=7 June 2006 |accessdate=18 September 2012}}</ref> with leather seats introduced in First Class, redesigned toilets, a redesigned buffet, and at-seat ]. FGW opted for mainly ], giving more seats per train.


===West of England services===
After a successful trial by ] and FGW in 2004, two power cars received new ] engines while two received new ]/] VP185s, fitted by ] of ]. The MTU engine proved the better option, both for reliability and for emissions, resulting in FGW, Brush and Angel Trains starting the HST Modernisation programme. The last power cars to be re-engineered were released in April 2008, while several other companies' HSTs have now all undergone a similar programme.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.wnxx.com/focus/mtu.htm| title=MTU / HST Power Car Re-engineering Program| work=wnxx| accessdate=24 July 2008}}</ref>


====Class 43 + Mark 3 HST / Class 255 Castle====
The youngest Class 43 locomotive is now over 29 years old, and the class is due to be replaced on some routes as part of the ] by the ] and ] from 2017. These will be electric and electric/diesel hybrids, introduced following the completion of electrification of the ] from {{stnlink|Hayes & Harlington}} to the west of England in 2016 and Wales in 2017.<ref>{{cite web|title=Modernising the Great Western route|url=http://www.networkrail.co.uk/great-western-route-modernisation/|publisher=Network Rail|accessdate=14 November 2015}}</ref> Some HSTs will remain on services on the Bristol to Exeter, Reading to Taunton, Exeter to Plymouth, and West Wales lines, and the Cornish Main Line, all of which will remain unelectrified. To do so they will be required to be DDA (Disability Discrimination Act) compliant, so 14 to 16 sets will undergo major refurblishment (alongside the Night Riviera Sleeper set) including plug doors, new electronics, PIS (passenger information system) and retention tanks. The South Wales Main Line will be the first railway line in Wales to be electrified.
] powercars at {{rws|Stapleton Road}}]]
Great Western Railway retained 24 power cars and 48 carriages from its former High Speed Train fleet to form 12 'Castle' 2+4 sets. They are branded as ''Class 255'' sets and are for use on multiple services between Plymouth and Penzance.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.therailwayhub.co.uk/7260/gwr-gives-castle-names-to-its-hst-power-cars-and-revives-class-255-designation/|title=GWR gives 'Castle' names to its HST power cars... and revives Class 255 designation| last1 = Hub| first1 = The Railway|date=3 September 2019|website=The Railway Hub|language=en-GB|access-date=19 November 2019}}</ref> There is a consensus that the sets shall be withdrawn at the end of 2024, ending their services with GWR in Devon and Cornwall and replaced with ].<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=4 September 2024 |title=Ex-Transport for Wales Class 175s heading to Great Western Railway? |magazine=RAIL |issue=1017 |pages=18}}</ref> All power cars being retained will have new nameplates, named after castles from across the area that GWR serve. The sets are progressively being fitted with automatic doors and controlled emission toilets, to allow their operation beyond 2020, at ].<ref name="todaysrailways">{{cite magazine |title=GWR to retain 11 HSTs for local services |magazine=] |issue=181 |date=January 2017 |page=67}}</ref> Due to a delay in refurbishing the Castle sets, slam door 2+4 sets known as 'Classic' sets were used until the end of 2019.


Until 2017, GWR operated the vast majority of its long-distance services with a fleet of 58 ] High Speed Train sets,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Davy-Osborne |first1=Stephen |title=GWR celebrates 40 years of HST |url= http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/14781160.GWR_celebrates_40_years_of_Inter_City_125/ |access-date=6 August 2017 |work=Swindon Advertiser |date=4 October 2016}}</ref> each consisting of eight ] sandwiched between two ] locomotives. GWR operated the largest InterCity 125 fleet, owning five sets outright; the rest were leased from ] and ]. From 2009 to 2012 (when Class 180s were reintroduced on the Cotswold line)<ref name="adelante">{{cite news |url= http://www.railnews.co.uk/news/2012/07/24-adelantes-return-to-great-western.html |title= Adelantes return to Great Western |date=24 July 2012 |work=Railnews |access-date=24 July 2012}}</ref> all the company's intercity services were worked by HSTs except the Night Riviera sleeper service between London Paddington and Penzance. From late 2017, following the completion of ] from {{stnlink|Hayes & Harlington}} to the west of England,<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.networkrail.co.uk/great-western-route-modernisation/ |title= Modernising the Great Western route |publisher= Network Rail |access-date= 14 November 2015 |archive-date= 9 January 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160109153332/http://www.networkrail.co.uk/great-western-route-modernisation/ |url-status= dead }}</ref> intercity services gradually became operated by Class 800 IETs, although a few peak services remained operated by HSTs until early 2019. GWR continued to use HSTs on services to Exeter, Plymouth and Penzance until May 2019, when they were all withdrawn in favour of Class 802 units.<ref>{{Cite news |url= https://www.railmagazine.com/news/fleet/great-western-railway-calls-time-on-long-distance-hsts |title=Great Western Railway calls time on long-distance HSTs |date=20 March 2019 |work=Rail |location=Peterborough |access-date=19 May 2019}}</ref>
Following the ] and ]es, GWR requires its HSTs to have ] and ] safety systems switched on. If either is faulty, the train is not used.


The youngest Class 43 locomotive dated from 1982. After a successful trial by ] and FGW in 2004, two power cars received new ] engines while two received new ]s, fitted by ] of ]. The MTU engine proved the better option, both for reliability and for emissions, resulting in FGW, Brush and Angel Trains starting the HST Modernisation programme. The last power cars to be re-engineered were released in April 2008, while several other companies' HSTs have now all undergone a similar programme.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.wnxx.com/focus/mtu.htm| title=MTU / HST Power Car Re-engineering Program| work=wnxx| access-date=24 July 2008}}</ref>
====Class 57/6====
Four {{brc|57}}/6 locomotives are used to operate the Night Riviera Sleeper services and to provide emergency haulage for failed HST sets. 57603 and 57605 is in the green Great Western Railway livery. 57604 was put into GWR green in 2010 for the 175 years celebration at Didcot railway centre. 57602 is still in the First Great Western blue livery. Occasionally, GWR hires 57/3 ] or Virgin trains locomotives to operate the Night Riviera, if their own ones are stopped for maintenance and unavailable for traffic.


GWR's High Speed Train fleet were refurbished by ] in ] and ] between 2006 and 2008,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theengineer.co.uk/news/bombardier-awarded-138-million/294760.article|title=Bombardier awarded £138 million|date=7 June 2006|newspaper=The Engineer|access-date=18 September 2012|archive-date=29 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141229052148/http://www.theengineer.co.uk/news/bombardier-awarded-138-million/294760.article|url-status=dead}}</ref> with leather seats introduced in first class, redesigned toilets, a redesigned buffet, and at-seat ]. The company opted for mainly ], giving more seats per train.
====Class 180 ''Adelante''====
]
First Great Western previously leased 14 {{brc|180}} ''Adelante'' units, operating on the Great Western Main Line, but following technical issues they were transferred elsewhere. In 2012, five units were returned to First Great Western to operate weekday services on the ], allowing class 165 and 166 units to be reallocated to increase capacity on Thames Valley services.<ref name="adelante"/>


Following the ] and ]es, GWR requires its HSTs to have ] and ] safety systems in operation. If either is faulty, the train is not used.
===Thames Valley===


====Class 150/0 Sprinter==== ====Class 150/2 Sprinter====
]
In late 2011 the two original three-car prototype {{brc|150}} ''Sprinter'' units (Nos. 150001 and 150002) were transferred from ] to work services on the ], allowing the release of Class 165 and 166 units to reinforce other Thames Valley services.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://railnews.co.uk/news/general/2011/11/23-return-of-adelantes-to-first.html |title= Return of Adelantes to First Great Western confirmed |work=RailNews |location =Stevenage |accessdate=23 November 2011 |date=23 November 2011}}</ref>
The fleet of 17 two-coach {{BRC|150}} Sprinter units was inherited from Wessex Trains as part of the Greater Western franchise shuffle. The fleet had been refurbished by Wessex Trains in 2003, with 2+2 seating arranged in a mixture of 'airline' (face to back) and table seating. The fleet is widespread throughout the former Wessex area, and carried a maroon livery with advertising vinyls for South West Tourism. Each unit was sponsored by a district, town or attraction and carried a unique livery. Most received names of attractions, places and branch lines. Two units were repainted into the new First 'Local' livery, but all units are now due to receive the new green GWR livery. As part of a national fleet shuffle, eight units went to ] on 10 December 2006, and were replaced with 8 Class 158 units.


First Great Western received five extra Class 150/2 units in May 2007 as part of its Remedial Plan Notice, to enable three-car Class 158 trains to operate on the Portsmouth-Cardiff services.<ref name="COO statement"/> Five Class 150 sets were hired from Arriva Trains Wales from March 2008 until they were returned in November 2010.
====Class 165 Thames Turbo====
The {{brc|165}} "Thames Turbo" is a two- or three-coach ] used on shorter-distance services in the Thames Valley area, such as those from London to Greenford, and stopping services to Reading and Oxford. They are also used on the ] and ] branches, and on services between Reading and Redhill or Gatwick Airport, and between Newbury and Reading. They are based at ].


====Class 158 Express Sprinter====
As part of its Remedial Plan Notice, First Great Western is undertaking a much more thorough refurbishment of the Thames Turbo fleet than originally planned.<ref name="COO statement" /> The trains are being fitted with improved lighting, carpets, toilets, and a revised seating layout.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Content.aspx?id=1984| title=London & Thames Valley Refresh |publisher=First Great Western |year=2008 |accessdate=24 July 2008}}</ref> The trains operate in the Dynamic Lines livery.
]
The {{BRC|158}} is a two- or three-coach DMU used on regional express services in the former Wessex Trains area. In February 2008, as part of its Remedial Plan Notice, First Great Western announced that it would form some hybrid three-car Class 158 units in March 2008, made possible by the transfer of five Class 150/2 units from Arriva Trains Wales.<ref name="COO statement">{{cite web |url= http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Content.aspx?id=95|title=Chief Operating Officer Statement |date=26 February 2008 |access-date= 26 March 2008 |publisher=First Great Western |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080301132805/http://firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Content.aspx?id=95 |archive-date=1 March 2008}}</ref> This allowed for ten hybrid units in operation and, combined with one non-hybrid three-car unit, provided eleven three-car units to operate services between Portsmouth and Cardiff and Great Malvern and Weymouth alongside the two-car units. After the introduction of Class 150/1 trains from ] and London Midland, three of the remaining five two-coach Class 158s were reformed to provide two further three-coach Class 158s.<ref name="Class 158 Reformations">{{cite web |url= http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Documents/Custom/Customer%20panel/2010/West%20Customer%20Panel%2019%20May%202010%20MINUTES%20for%20website.doc |title= Class 158 Reformations, Customer Panel Meeting Minutes |date= 19 May 2010 |access-date= 9 November 2010 |publisher= First Great Western |archive-date= 17 November 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101117101940/http://firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Documents/Custom/Customer%20panel/2010/West%20Customer%20Panel%2019%20May%202010%20MINUTES%20for%20website.doc |url-status= dead }}</ref> However, following their operations largely being taken over by ] and {{brc|166}} units in the Bristol area, most of these units were reformed to restore them to 2 coach formation.{{citation needed|date=June 2024}}


The fleet was refurbished in a programme begun in 2007,<ref>{{cite web |url= http://firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Content.aspx?id=1692 |title=West Fleet Refurbishment |publisher=First Great Western |year=2007 |access-date=14 February 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071017234910/http://firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Content.aspx?id=1692 |archive-date=17 October 2007 }}</ref> which included fitting of reupholstered seats, new lighting and floor coverings, CCTV within the passenger saloons, and refurbished toilets. At the same time, the exteriors of the vehicles were repainted in the updated FGW livery, including artwork depicting various local places of interest. The refurbishment work took place at the ] plant in Doncaster.<ref name="158refurb">{{cite web |url= http://www.therailwaycentre.com/UK%20News%20Sept%202007/260907_FGW.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071016191028/http://therailwaycentre.com/UK%20News%20Sept%202007/260907_FGW.html |url-status= usurped |archive-date= 16 October 2007 |title=Preview of the first refurbished Class 158 |date=26 September 2007 |access-date=6 October 2007 |publisher= TheRailwayCentre.com}}</ref>
====Class 166 Thames Express Turbo====
The {{brc|166}} "Thames Express Turbo" is a three-coach DMU, similar to the Class 165 units but with an internal layout more suitable for longer-distance services. They are used on services from London to Bedwyn and Oxford, Reading to Basingstoke, the ], and other routes. They sometimes operate on the Cotswold Line if an HST or Class 180 is unavailable. Like the 165s, they are also based at Reading Traction Maintenance Depot.


In 2018, the 158s began running alongside the first completed ] ''Castle'' set on services between {{rws|Bristol|Temple Meads}}, {{rws|Exeter|St Davids}}, {{rws|Plymouth}} and {{rws|Penzance}}. Since then, more of the 158 fleet have gradually started to move more west with more 158 sets working services between {{rws|Exmouth}} and {{rws|Paignton}} / {{rws|Barnstaple}}. The timetable change in December 2019 saw the start of the 158s taking over from the 143s primarily on the ] to Barnstaple, with some of the units also working on the {{rws|Cardiff|Central}} / Bristol to Penzance route alongside the ''Castle'' sets.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.northdevongazette.co.uk/news/tarka-line-new-trains-and-timetable-1-6427274 |title=New trains start work on the Barnstaple to Exeter Tarka Line |last1=Gussin |first1=Tony |work=North Devon Gazette |location=Barnstaple |date=16 December 2019 |access-date=3 January 2020 |archive-date=3 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103042800/https://www.northdevongazette.co.uk/news/tarka-line-new-trains-and-timetable-1-6427274 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
===West of England===


====Class 143 Pacer==== ===Current fleet===
]
First Great Western inherited the small fleet of twelve two-coach {{brc|143}} Pacer ]es from ] following the franchise merger in April 2006 (an eighth unit was scrapped after catching fire near {{rws|Nailsea and Backwell}} in October 2004).<ref name="cars200412">{{cite web |url= http://www.cardiffandavonside.org.uk/Magazines/2004/0412mag.htm |title=December 2004 magazine |publisher=Cardiff & Avonside Railway Society |date=December 2004 |accessdate=6 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.cardiffandavonside.org.uk/Magazines/2006/0609mag.htm |title=September 2006 |publisher=Cardiff & Avonside Railway Society|date=September 2006|accessdate=6 November 2013}}</ref> They are currently used on suburban services in and around Exeter. The Class 143 fleet was fully refurbished during 2008 and 2009, and painted in the same livery as the rest of the West of England fleet.<ref>{{cite news |title=Wabtec Rail delivers '143' |url=http://www.railmagazine.com/archive/#/2008/90/26 |newspaper=Rail Magazine |date=31 December 2008 |accessdate=18 September 2012}}</ref> Since they are unable to meet an accessibility requirement, they will be withdrawn at the end of 2019 unless they receive an extensive refurbishment proposed by Porterbrook (who own the class 143s and class 144s).<ref>http://www.porterbrook.com/downloads/brochures/14x%20Brochure.pdf</ref> The 'Long Term Passenger Rolling Stock Strategy for the Rail Industry' indicates no new diesel trains will be ordered in the next 10 years.<ref>http://www.porterbrook.com/downloads/Rolling%20Stock%20Strategy%20February%202014.pdf</ref>


{| class="wikitable"
====Class 150/1 Sprinter====
|-
In 2010/11, First Great Western received a cascade of 15 {{brc|150}}/1 DMUs from ] and ], following the delivery of {{brc|172}} ''Turbostar'' units to those franchises. These allowed the Class 142 units to be returned to the ] franchise, and for the Class 143 units to move south to work the Devon and Cornwall branch lines rather than Bristol area commuter services.<ref>{{cite news |title=LOROL Class 150s all with FGW |author=Miles, Tony |work=] |location =London |date= December 2010 |page=90}}</ref>
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Family
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Class
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Image
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Type
! scope="col" colspan="2" | Top speed
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Qty.
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Carriages
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Routes
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Year Built
|-
! scope="col" | mph
! scope="col" | km/h
|-
! scope="col" colspan="10" |Commuter, regional and branch line
|-
| rowspan="5" | ]
| rowspan="2" | ]
| rowspan="2" | ]
| rowspan="10" | ]
| rowspan="2" | 75
| rowspan="2" | 120
| 20<ref name="RailExpress337"/>
| 2
| {{plainlist|* Exmouth – Paignton
* Exeter Central – Okehampton
* Plymouth – Gunnislake
* Liskeard – Looe
* Par – Newquay
* Truro – Falmouth Docks
* St Erth – St Ives}}
| rowspan="1" | 1986{{ndash}}1987
|-
| colspan="4" |{{scalable image|frame=no|5=left|2=300px|GWR Class 150-2.png}}
|-
| rowspan="3" | ]
| rowspan="3" | ]
| rowspan="8" | 90
| rowspan="8" | 145
| 13<ref name="TRUK259">{{cite magazine |title= How GWR operates its varied fleet|magazine=] |issue=259|date= September 2023 |pages=24–31}}</ref>
| 2
| rowspan="2" | {{plainlist|
* Exmouth – Paignton
* Cardiff Central – Portsmouth Harbour
* Cardiff Central – Penzance
* Exeter Central - Barnstaple
* Bristol Temple Meads – Weymouth
}}
| rowspan="2" | 1989{{ndash}}1992
|-
| 5<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Formations |magazine=The Railway Magazine |issue=1467 |date=June 2023 |page=93}}</ref>
| 3
|-
| colspan="4" |{{scalable image|frame=no|5=left|2=300px|Class158-0 GWR.png}}{{scalable image|frame=no|5=left|2=450px|GWR Class 158 livery.png}}
|-
| rowspan="5" | ]
| rowspan="3" | ]
| rowspan="3" | ]
| 20<ref name="RailExpress337"/>
| 2
| rowspan="2" | {{plainlist|* Reading – Redhill or Gatwick Airport
* Reading – Basingstoke
* Reading or Didcot Parkway – Oxford or Banbury
* Twyford – Henley-on-Thames
* Maidenhead – Marlow
* Slough – Windsor & Eton Central
* West Ealing – Greenford
* Bristol Temple Meads – Avonmouth or Severn Beach
* Great Malvern – Bristol Temple Meads – Salisbury or Weymouth
* Swindon – Gloucester or Weymouth
* Cardiff Central – Portsmouth Harbour<ref name="globalrailwayreview.com">{{Cite news |url= https://www.globalrailwayreview.com/news/34608/modern-trains-new-technology-bristol-rail-passengers/ |title= Modern trains and new technology for Bristol rail passengers |work=Global Railway Review |date=11 July 2017}}</ref>
* Exmouth - Paignton
* Newbury - Bedwyn
}}
| rowspan="2" | 1992
|-
| 16<ref name="RailExpress337"/>
| 3
|-
| colspan="4" |{{scalable image|frame=no|5=left|2=300px|GWR Class 165 1 2 Car.png}}{{scalable image|frame=no|5=left|2=450px|GWR Class 165 1 3 Car.png}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | ]
| rowspan="2" | ]
| 21<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Ford|first=Roger|title= New train procurements generates cost challenges |department=Informed sources| magazine= ] |issue=910|volume=81|date= July 2024|pages=36–42}}</ref>
| 3
| {{plainlist|
* Bristol Temple Meads – Avonmouth or Severn Beach<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ashcroft |first1=Esme |title=New 'turbo train' fleet arrives in Bristol |url= http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/new-turbo-train-fleet-arrives-158195 |access-date=9 August 2017 |work=Bristol Post |date=3 July 2017}}</ref>
* Bristol Parkway – Weston-super-Mare<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://16cbgt3sbwr8204sf92da3xxc5m-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Bristol-Temple-Meads-newsletter-September-2017.pdf |title=Bristol Temple Meads update |publisher= Network Rail |access-date=29 October 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171004135719/https://16cbgt3sbwr8204sf92da3xxc5m-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Bristol-Temple-Meads-newsletter-September-2017.pdf |date=September 2017 |archive-date=4 October 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
* Cardiff Central – Taunton
* Swindon – Westbury
* Great Malvern – Bristol Temple Meads – Southampton Central or Weymouth
* Cardiff Central – Portsmouth Harbour<ref name="globalrailwayreview.com"/>
* Barnstaple – St James Park (Weekends only)
* Exmouth - Paignton
}}
| rowspan="1" | 1992{{ndash}}1993
|-
| colspan="4" |{{scalable image|frame=no|5=left|2=450px|GWR Class 166 0.png}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | ]
| rowspan="2" | ]
| rowspan="2" | ]
| rowspan="2" | ]
| rowspan="2" | 110
| rowspan="2" | 177
| 30<ref name="TRUK256" />
| 4<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Clinnick |first1=Richard |title=GWR shows off the first of its new Class 387 EMUs |url= http://www.railmagazine.com/news/fleet/2016/08/29/gwr-shows-off-the-first-of-its-new-class-387-emus |access-date=22 May 2017 |magazine=Rail |location= Peterborough |date=30 August 2016}}</ref>
| London Paddington or Reading – Didcot Parkway, Newbury, Bristol Parkway or Swindon<br />London Paddington – Cardiff Central
| 2016{{ndash}}2017
|-
| colspan="4" |{{scalable image|frame=no|5=left|2=600px|GWR Class 387-1.png}}
|-
| rowspan="3" | ]<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://www.therailwayhub.co.uk/7260/gwr-gives-castle-names-to-its-hst-power-cars-and-revives-class-255-designation/ |title=GWR gives 'Castle' names to its HST power cars... and revives Class 255 designation |date=3 September 2019 |website=The Railway Hub |access-date=26 March 2020}}</ref>
| ]
| ]
| ]
| rowspan="3" | 125
| rowspan="3" | 201
| 11<ref name="RailExpress337">{{cite magazine|title=What Alternative Awaits GWR|department=Rolling Stock |magazine= ] |issue=337|date=June 2024|page=77}}</ref>
| rowspan="2" | 4
| rowspan="2" | Exeter St Davids – Plymouth – Penzance<ref name="MRI246">{{cite magazine |year=2020 |title=HSTs - The New Era |magazine=Modern Locomotives Illustrated |location=Stamford, Lincs |publisher=Key Publishing |issue=246 |pages=62–68 |author-last=Marsden |author-first=Colin J}}</ref>
| rowspan="2" | 1975{{ndash}}1982
|-
| rowspan="2" | ]
| rowspan="2" | ]
| rowspan="2" | ]
| 22<ref name="RailExpress337"/>
|-
| colspan="4" |{{scalable image|frame=no|5=left|2=1050px|Class 255 Diagram.png}}
|-
!
! scope="col" colspan="8" | Inter-City
!
|-
| rowspan="6" | ]
| rowspan="3" | ]
| rowspan="3" | ]
| rowspan="6" | ]
| rowspan="6" | 125
| rowspan="6" | 201<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Speed limiters for Hitachi fleets |magazine=The Railway Magazine |issue=1457 |date=August 2022 |page=92 |volume=168 |department=Traction & Stock }}</ref>
| 36<ref name="RailExpress337"/>
| 5<ref name="railwaymag">{{cite magazine |title=First Class 800 'Super Express Train' arrives in the UK |magazine=] |location= Horncastle, Lincs |date=1 April 2015 |pages=6–7|volume=161 |issue=1369 |issn=0033-8923}}</ref><ref name="rail20160629">{{cite magazine |url= http://www.railmagazine.com/news/network/2016/06/29/gwr-runs-first-bi-mode-iep-class-800-to-paddington |title=GWR runs first bi-mode IEP Class 800 to Paddington |magazine=Rail |location= Peterborough |date=29 June 2016}}</ref>
| rowspan="2" | London Paddington{{Unbulleted list| – Oxford, Bedwyn, Worcester Shrub Hill, Great Malvern, Hereford| – Cardiff Central, Swansea, Carmarthen| – Bristol Temple Meads, Weston-super-Mare| – Cheltenham Spa, Taunton, Paignton}}<ref name="rail20160629" />
| rowspan="2" | 2014{{ndash}}2018
|-
| 21<ref name="RailExpress337"/>
| 9
|-
| colspan="4" |{{scalable image|frame=no|5=left|2=750px|GWR Class 800-0.png}}{{scalable image|frame=no|5=left|2=1350px|GWR Class 800 3.png}}
|-
| rowspan="3" | ]
| rowspan="3" | ]
| 22<ref name="RailExpress337"/>
| 5
| rowspan="2" | London Paddington{{Unbulleted list| – Exeter St Davids, Paignton, Plymouth, Penzance| – Oxford, Bedwyn, Worcester Shrub Hill, Great Malvern, Hereford||}}<ref>{{cite press release |url= https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-fleet-of-trains-to-bring-better-journeys-to-the-south-west |title=New fleet of trains to bring better journeys to the south west |publisher =Department for Transport |date=30 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.hitachirail-eu.com/at300-for-the-west-of-england_156.html |title= AT300 for the West of England |publisher= Hitachi Rail Europe |year= 2015 |access-date= 1 December 2015 |archive-date= 3 February 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170203114836/http://www.hitachirail-eu.com/at300-for-the-west-of-england_156.html |url-status= dead }}</ref>
| rowspan="2" |2017{{ndash}}2018
|-
| 14<ref name="RailExpress337"/>
| 9
|-
| colspan="4" |{{scalable image|frame=no|5=left|2=750px|GWR Class 802 0.png}}{{scalable image|frame=no|5=left|2=1350px|GWR Class 802 1.png}}
|-
! scope="col" colspan="9" | Sleeper
!
|-
| rowspan="2" | ]
|]
|]
|]
| 95
| 152
| 5<ref name="RailExpress337"/>
| rowspan="2" | Varies{{efn|Locomotive-hauled Mark 3 coaches are generally formed of 7–9 coaches for the Night Riviera. They are hauled by a single Class 57.}}
| rowspan="2" | {{plainlist|* 2 ] sets for London Paddington – Penzance sleeper service
}}
| 1964–1967 (Rebuild: 1998{{ndash}}2004)
|-
| ]
| ]
| ]
| 110
| 177
| 20<ref name="RailExpress337"/>
| 1975{{ndash}}1988
|-
! scope="col" colspan="9" | Shunting locomotives
!
|-
| <ref>{{cite book| editor-last = Marsden| editor-first = Colin J| title = Rolling Stock Review| publisher = Key Publishing| year = 2019| location = Stamford| isbn = 978-1-912205-98-1| pages=62–68}}</ref>
| ]
| ]
| Shunting locomotive
| 15
| 24
| 8
| n/a
| Stock movements in depots
| 1952{{ndash}}1962
|-
|}
{{notelist}}


====Class 150/2 Sprinter==== === Past fleet ===
{| class="wikitable"
]
The fleet of 17 two-coach {{brc|150}} Sprinter units was inherited from Wessex Trains as part of the Greater Western franchise shuffle. The fleet had been refurbished by Wessex Trains in 2003, with 2+2 seating arranged in a mixture of 'airline' (face to back) and table seating. The fleet is widespread throughout the former Wessex area, and carried a maroon livery with advertising vinyls for South West Tourism. Each unit was sponsored by a district, town or attraction and carries a unique livery. Most received names of attractions, places and branch lines. Two units were repainted into the new First 'Local' livery, but all others are receiving the new livery when they are refreshed, consisting of a blue body with pink doors and 3 lines of place names in FirstGroup corporate colours. As part of a national fleet shuffle, eight units went to ] on 10 December 2006, and were replaced with 8 Class 158 units.

First Great Western received five extra Class 150/2 units in May 2007 as part of its Remedial Plan Notice, to enable three-car Class 158 trains to operate on the Portsmouth-Cardiff services.<ref name="COO statement"/> From March 2008 to November 2010, five Class 150 sets were hired from Arriva Trains Wales. By November 2010 these had all returned to Arriva Trains Wales.

====Class 153 Super Sprinter====
]
The {{brc|153}} is a diesel railcar converted from a Class 155 two-coach unit in the early 1990s. First Great Western has 12, used to strengthen services and on some of the quieter branch lines, although stock shortages often see them operate on their own on busier routes. The refurbishment of class 153s was carried out by Wabtec in ],<ref name=158refurb>{{cite web |url= http://www.therailwaycentre.com/UK%20News%20Sept%202007/260907_FGW.html |title=Preview of the first refurbished Class 158 |date=26 September 2007 |accessdate=6 October 2007 |publisher= TheRailwayCentre.com}}</ref> and was completed in early June 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.travelwatchsouthwest.org/newslog160608.html |title=FGW rolling stock |date=16 June 2008 |publisher=TravelWatch South West |accessdate=18 September 2012}}</ref>

====Class 158 Express Sprinter====
The {{brc|158}} is a two- or three-coach DMU used on regional express services in the former Wessex Trains area. In February 2008, as part of its Remedial Plan Notice, First Great Western announced that it would form some hybrid 3-car Class 158 units in March 2008, made possible by the transfer of five Class 150/2 units from Arriva Trains Wales.<ref name="COO statement">{{cite web |url= http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Content.aspx?id=95| title=Chief Operating Officer Statement| date=26 February 2008 |accessdate= 26 March 2008 |publisher= First Great Western}} Report on First Great Western's Remedial Plan Notice</ref> There are now ten hybrid units in operation and, combined with the non-hybrid 3-car unit, this provides eleven 3-car units to operate services between Portsmouth and Cardiff, Great Malvern and Brighton, and Great Malvern and Weymouth. After the introduction of Class 150/1 trains from London Overground and London Midland, three of the remaining five 2-coach Class 158s will be reformed to provide two further 3-coach Class 158s.<ref name="Class 158 Reformations">{{cite web |url= http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Documents/Custom/Customer%20panel/2010/West%20Customer%20Panel%2019%20May%202010%20MINUTES%20for%20website.doc |title= Class 158 Reformations, Customer Panel Meeting Minutes |date=19 May 2010 |accessdate= 9 November 2010 |publisher= First Great Western}}</ref>

The fleet was refurbished in a programme begun in 2007,<ref>{{cite web |url= http://web.archive.org/web/20071017234910/http://firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Content.aspx?id=1692 |title=West Fleet Refurbishment |publisher=First Great Western |year=2007 |accessdate=14 February 2012}}</ref> which included fitting of reupholstered seats, new lighting and floor coverings, CCTV within the passenger saloons, and facelifted toilets. At the same time, the exteriors of the vehicles were repainted in the updated FGW livery, including artwork depicting various local places of interest. FGW's Class 158 vehicles were refurbished at ] in Doncaster and fitted with a third additional carriage to supplement passenger capacity.<ref name=158refurb/>

===Fleet table===
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|- style="background:#f9f9f9;" |- style="background:#f9f9f9;"
! rowspan="2" |Family
! rowspan="2" |Class ! rowspan="2" |Class
! rowspan="2" |Image ! rowspan="2" |Image
! rowspan="2" |Type ! rowspan="2" |Type
! colspan="2" |Top speed ! colspan="2" |Top speed
! rowspan="2" |Number ! rowspan="2" |Total
! rowspan="2" |Cars per set ! rowspan="2" |Withdrawn
! rowspan="2" |Routes ! rowspan="2" |Notes
|- style="background:#f9f9f;" |- style="background:#f9f9f;"
!mph !mph
!km/h !km/h
|- |-
! colspan="10" |Commuter, regional and branch line
|]
|]
|]
|125
|200
|119
|N/A
|Daytime intercity services to Cardiff, Swansea, Carmarthen, Pembroke (summer only), Cheltenham Spa, Bristol, Weston-super-Mare, Taunton, Exeter, Paignton, Plymouth, Penzance, Worcester and Hereford.
|- |-
|rowspan="2"|] | rowspan="2" | ]
|]
|rowspan="2"|]
| ]
|]
| rowspan="5" | ]
|125
| rowspan="5" | 75
|200
| rowspan="5" | 120
|464
|N/A | 12
| 2011
|Used on all daytime intercity services except some services to Oxford, Great Malvern and Hereford - operate as part of InterCity 125. Also used with the Night Riviera sleeper train.
| rowspan="2" | Replaced by ] and ]
|- |-
|]
|colspan="6"|]
|]
|-
|{{brc|57}}/6
|]
|]
|95
|152
|4
|N/A
|] (London - Penzance)
|-
|]
|]
|]
|125
|200
|50
|N/A
|Night Riviera (London - Penzance)
|-
|{{brc|143}} ''Pacer''
|]
|]
|75
|120
|8 |8
| rowspan="2" |2020
|2
|West of England Services
|- |-
|{{brc|150}}/0 ''Sprinter'' | rowspan="3" |]
|]
|]
|]
|]
|75
|120
|2 |2
| rowspan="2" | {{plainlist|
|3
* Replaced by ] and ]
|Reading - Basingstoke<ref name="dft.gov.uk">{{cite press release |url= http://www.dft.gov.uk/news/press-releases/dft-press-20111122 |publisher=Department for Transport |title= Thames Valley and West Country Rail passengers in line for extra seat boost |date= 22 November 2011}}</ref>
* Transferred to ] and ]
}}
|- |-
|]
|{{brc|150}}/1 ''Sprinter''
|] | ]
| 17
|]
| 2018
|75
|120
|15
|2
|West of England Services
|- |-
|{{brc|150}}/2 ''Sprinter'' | ]
|] | ]
| 14
|]
| 2018{{ndash}}2019
|75
| {{plainlist|
|120
* Replaced by ] and ]
|26
* Transferred to ] and ]
|2
}}
|West of England Services
|- |-
| rowspan="3" |]
|{{brc|150}}/9 ''Sprinter''
|] |]
|]
|]
| rowspan="3" |]
|75
| rowspan="3" |110
|120
| rowspan="3" |177
|2
|15
|3<ref group=lower-alpha name=Hybrid>Hybrid units, where centre car is a driving car from another unit</ref>
|2019{{ndash}}2020, 2023
|West of England Services
| {{plainlist|
* 12 units transferred to ] between 2019–2020
* 3 units transferred to ] in 2023<ref name="TRUK256">{{cite magazine |title=Three ex-GWR 387s to GN |magazine=Today's Railways UK |issue=256 |date=June 2023 |page=60}}</ref>
}}
|- |-
|]
|{{brc|153}} ''Super Sprinter''
|] |]
|6
|]
| rowspan="2" |2021–22
|75
|{{plainlist|
|120
* These trains were subleased from ] in 2021, to provide cover for ] and ] InterCity Express Train (IET) units, following cracks being found on the IETs
|14
* After the issues surrounding the IET trains were resolved, these units were returned to Great Northern at the end of 2021
|1
}}
|West of England Services
|- |-
|]
|{{brc|158}}/0 ''Express Sprinter''
|]
|]
|3
|]
|{{plainlist|
|90
* These trains were transferred from ] to provide cover for ] and ] InterCity Express Train (IET) units, following cracks being found on the IETs
|145
* In June 2022 the units were withdrawn and transferred to ] in July 2022<ref>{{cite magazine|title=More '387s' for GTR|magazine=Modern Railways|issue=August 2022|page=101}}</ref>
|2
}}
|2 and 3
|West of England Services
|- |-
! colspan="10" | Inter-City
|{{brc|158}}/9 ''Express Sprinter''
|]
|]
|90
|145
|12
|3<ref group=lower-alpha name=Hybrid />
|West of England Services
|- |-
|rowspan="2"|{{brc|165}}/1 ''Network Turbo'' | rowspan="2" | ]
| ]
|rowspan="2"|]
| ]
|]
| ]
|90
| rowspan="2" | 125
|145
| rowspan="2" | 200
|36
|2/3 | 91
| rowspan="2" | 2019
|Thames Valley & West London Services
| rowspan="2" |{{plainlist|
* Replaced by ] and ]
* Transfer of some power cars and coaches to ]
}}
|- |-
| ]
|colspan="6"|]
| ]
| ]
| 408
|- |-
| ]
|{{brc|166}} ''Network Express Turbo''
| ]
|]
| ]
|]
| ]
|90
| 125
|145
| 200
|21
|3 | 14
| 2017
|Thames Valley & West London Services
|{{plainlist|
|-
* Replaced by ] and ]
|{{brc|180}} '' Adelante''
* Transferred to ]
|]
}}
|]
|125
|200
|5
|5
|London Paddington - Worcester/Great Malvern/Hereford/Oxford (weekdays only)<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.railnews.co.uk/news/2012/07/24-adelantes-return-to-great-western.html# |title=Adelantes return to Great Western |date=24 July 2012 |accessdate=18 September 2012}}</ref>
|} |}

{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}} {{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
]
Locomotive-hauled trains were in use on services between Cardiff, Bristol, Taunton and Paignton from December 2008 until November 2010 using ] {{BRC|57}} locomotives with ] coaching stock. A second set hauled by ] {{BRC|67}}s was used between December 2009 and October 2010. These were withdrawn when sufficient DMUs were available following the transfer of six Class 150/1 sets from London Overground.<ref>{{cite web|title= Taunton Trains Loco-Hauled Info|url= http://www.tauntontrains.co.uk/LOCOHAULED.htm|date= 27 April 2011|publisher= Taunton Trains|access-date= 19 October 2012|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121012074406/http://www.tauntontrains.co.uk/LOCOHAULED.htm|archive-date= 12 October 2012|url-status= dead|df= dmy-all}}</ref> First Great Western issued a tender in May 2013 so that locomotive-hauled trains, or other train formations, could be operated on the Taunton-Cardiff route again, proposed to start in December 2013, to cover for DMUs out of service for refurbishment on Monday-to-Friday diagrams.<ref>{{cite news |title=FGW offers £7 million loco-hauled contract |url=http://www.railwaymagazine.co.uk/news/fgw-offers-7million-loco-hauled-contract |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130617213814/http://www.railwaymagazine.co.uk/news/fgw-offers-7million-loco-hauled-contract |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 June 2013 |date=28 May 2013 |access-date=12 August 2013 |work=The Railway Magazine }}</ref> GWR also runs loco-hauled sets composed of seating coaches and a Class 57 locomotive from the ] service between Penzance and Exeter St Davids as part of the summer timetable to release a DMU for other services.

Twelve {{BRC|142}} ''Pacer'' DMUs were received by First Great Western in 2007, starting operations that December. These were sub-leased from ] (where they had been stored), in part to cover for refurbishment of FGW's Sprinter fleets but also to allow the Class 158s to be re-formed as three-coach sets. They were based at ], working alongside the similar {{BRC|143|cs}} on services in ] and ], including the ], ] and ]. Five 142s were returned to Northern Rail in late 2008, following the completion of the refresh of Class 150 Sprinter units. The remaining seven units were returned to Northern Rail by November 2011 as they had been replaced by Class 150 units cascaded from London Overground and London Midland following the arrival of new {{BRC|172}} ''Turbostar'' units.

GWR's Night Riviera service also included the UK's last ] service, until that aspect was withdrawn at the end of the 2005 summer season due to low usage.

First Great Western previously leased 14 {{BRC|180}} ''Adelante'' units, operating on the Great Western Main Line, but following technical issues they were transferred elsewhere.<ref>{{cite news|title=Adelantes return to Great Western|url=http://www.railnews.co.uk/news/2012/07/24-adelantes-return-to-great-western.html|access-date=12 April 2016|work=Railnews|date=24 July 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Wales loses new trains - again|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/wales-loses-new-trains---2453827?pageNumber=3|access-date=12 April 2016|work=Wales Online|date=31 March 2013}}</ref> In 2012, five units were returned to First Great Western to operate weekday services on the ], allowing class 165 and 166 units to be reallocated to increase capacity on Thames Valley services.<ref name="adelante"/> The Class 180s left GWR in stages between June and December 2017 to join ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Grand Central 180 Fleet Update|url=http://www.necoastliners.co.uk/grand-central-180-fleet-update/|access-date=24 August 2017|publisher=North East Coastliners|date=10 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title = Grand Central to replace HSTs with cascaded Class 180s |magazine = Rail |issue = 842 |date = 20 December 2017 |page = 29}}</ref>

The 150/1s in the GWR fleet transferred to ] in stages, beginning with the first three in August 2017 when their leases expired,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/486668/red-fgw-franchise-agreement.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=14 March 2016 |archive-date=30 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160130022422/https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/486668/red-fgw-franchise-agreement.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> and ending in April 2018.<ref>{{cite web |title=GWR Class 150/1's transfer to Northern Trains |url= http://www.tauntontrains.co.uk/news |website=Taunton Trains |access-date=17 January 2018 |date=12 January 2018 |quote=Great Western Railway Class 150/1s (which were originally inherited from Central Trains and Silverlink Trains) are now in the process of being transferred to Northern Trains.}}</ref> The 153s also transferred elsewhere in stages too, with the first four units going to ] and the next five units going to Arriva Rail North. This left just five 153 units with GWR, which eventually transferred to ] in April 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/very-old-trains-coming-back-16425765|title=The very old trains coming back to the Valleys Lines| last1 = Mosalski| first1 = Ruth|date=14 June 2019|website=walesonline|access-date=1 January 2020}}</ref>


===Future fleet=== ===Future fleet===
In March 2015 it was confirmed that the future arrivals at First Great Western would be:<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/policy/single-view/view/first-great-western-plans-at300s-to-cornwall.html |title=First Great Western plans AT300s to Cornwall |date=23 March 2015 |work=Railway Gazette |location= London}}</ref>
* 21 x 4-car {{brc|365}}s for Thames Valley services
* 29 x 4-car {{brc|387}}/1s for Thames Valley/Paddington to Swindon services
* 8 x 4-car {{brc|387}}/3s for Thames Valley/Paddington to Swindon services
* 36 x 5/9-car {{brc|800}}s for Intercity services
* 21 x 9-car {{brc|801}}s for Intercity services


In February 2023, GWR purchased a number of assets from the ] of battery train manufacturer ], including 67 former ] carriages and intellectual property rights to the {{BRC|230}}.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Preston |first1=Robert |date=17 February 2023 |title=Great Western Railway purchases Vivarail assets |url=https://www.railjournal.com/fleet/great-western-railway-purchases-vivarail-assets/ |access-date=18 February 2023 |work=International Railway Journal |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=GWR takes ownership of former Vivarail D78 stock |magazine=The Railway Magazine |issue=1467 |date=June 2023 |page=90}}</ref> GWR have also employed nine Vivarail staff. It intends to trial the Class 230 units on the ] between West Ealing and Greenford.
In July 2015 it was confirmed that an additional new fleet of 29 bi-mode trains would be provided to replace HSTs on long-distance West of England services:
* 22 x 5-car and 7 x 9 car ] bi-mode trains for services between Paddington, Devon and Cornwall<ref>{{cite press release |url= https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-fleet-of-trains-to-bring-better-journeys-to-the-south-west |title=New fleet of trains to bring better journeys to the south west |publisher =Department for Transport |date=30 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.hitachirail-eu.com/at300-for-the-west-of-england_156.html |title=AT300 for the West of England |publisher= Hitachi Rail Europe |year=2015 |accessdate=1 December 2015}}</ref>


In August 2024, ] reported that GWR were planning to lease the ] fleet.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Clinnick|first=Richard|title=Class 175s set for Great Western Railway|department=Headline News| magazine= ] |issue=340|date=September 2024|page=14}}</ref> In November 2024, it was announced that GWR had signed a lease for the Class 175 fleet; the fleet is planned to enter service in 2025.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.railmagazine.com/news/2024/10/30/great-western-railway-s-acquisition-of-175s-confirmed-with-2025-introduction-planned|title= Great Western Railway's acquisition of '175s' confirmed with 2025 introduction planned|department=News|magazine=]|date=4 November 2024|url-access= registration}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
{| class="wikitable"
|- style="background:#f9f9f9;"
|+
! rowspan="2" |Family
! rowspan="2" |Class ! rowspan="2" |Class
! rowspan="2" |Image ! rowspan="2" |Image
! rowspan="2" |Type ! rowspan="2" |Type
! colspan="2" |Top speed ! colspan="2" |Top speed
! rowspan="2" |Number ! rowspan="2" |Quantity of units
! rowspan="2" |Cars per set ! rowspan="2" |Carriages per unit
! rowspan="2" |Routes ! rowspan="2" |Routes
! rowspan="2" |Year built
|- style="background:#f9f9f;"
|-
!mph !mph
!km/h !km/h
|- |-
| rowspan="2" |]
|{{brc|365}}
|] | ]
| ]
|]
| rowspan="2" |]
|100
| rowspan="2" |100
|160
| rowspan="2" |160
|21
|4 |11
|2
|Commuter and Local services in Thames Valley
| rowspan="2" |TBA
| rowspan="2" |1999-2001
|- |-
| ]
|{{brc|387}}
|] | ]
|16
|]
|110 |3
|177
|37
|4
|Commuter and Local services in Thames Valley
|- |-
| rowspan="2" |]
|{{brc|800}}
| rowspan="2" |]
|]
| rowspan="2" |]
|]
| rowspan="2" |]<br />]
|140
| rowspan="2" |60
|225
| rowspan="2" |97
|17
|1
19
|5 |3
| rowspan="2" |West Ealing–Greenford
9
| rowspan="2" |1978-1981 (])
|Intercity Routes
2015-2019 (])
|- |-
|3
|{{brc|801}}
|2
|]
|]
|140
|225
|21
|9
|Electric Intercity Routes (London-Bristol/Swansea)
|-
|Hitachi AT300
|]
|]
|140
|225
|22
7
|5
9
|Intercity services to Devon and Cornwall
|} |}
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}


===Rejected fleet===
The above will allow some Class 165s and 166s to be cascaded west and 27 sets (in 2+4 and 2+5 formation) of the HSTs to be cascaded to ].<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.railmagazine.com/news/2015/08/25/scotrail-hst-fleet-plans |title=ScotRail HST fleet plans |work=Rail |location= Peterborough |date=1 September 2015|accessdate=12 November 2015}}</ref>
]
It was planned for Great Western Railway to operate nineteen Class 769/9 units once they were fully rolled out. The operator intended to run the first services in spring 2019,<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Pritchard |first1=Robert |date=January 2019 |title=Porterbrook "FLEX" Class 769 launched |magazine=Today's Railways UK |location= Sheffield |issue=205 |pages=24–25 }}</ref> but this was delayed by issues faced by ] in converting the units. However, the first vehicle has been delivered and all were expected to be delivered by the end of 2021.


Although initially planned for use in London and the ], while 12 {{brc|387}} units were modified for ] services, the future plan for these units was to be operating on services between {{stnlink|Oxford}}, {{stnlink|Reading}} and {{stnlink|Gatwick Airport}}, which would have meant operating on non-electrified lines, {{nowrap|25 kV AC}} OHLE and {{nowrap|750 V DC}} third-rail routes. To enable this, GWR's allocation of ] units retained their dual-voltage capability in addition to being fitted with diesel power units. The units also received an internal refurbishment and be fitted with air cooling.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/traction-rolling-stock/single-view/view/gwr-to-lease-class-769-flex-trimode-trainsets.html |title=GWR to lease Class 769 Flex 'trimode' trainsets |date=20 April 2018 |work=Railway Gazette International |location=London |access-date=20 April 2018 |archive-date=27 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727201324/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/traction-rolling-stock/single-view/view/gwr-to-lease-class-769-flex-trimode-trainsets.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
===Past fleet===
Locomotive-hauled trains were in use on services between Cardiff, Bristol, Taunton and Paignton from December 2008 until November 2010. These were {{brc|67}} and {{brc|57}} locomotives with ] coaching stock. They had one set of carriages initially, but a further set of carriages between December 2009 and October 2010. These services ran in the short term to cover for the unavailability of DMU trains. When sufficient DMUs were available following the transfer of 6 Class 150/1 sets from London Overground, the locomotives and coaching stock were withdrawn.<ref>{{cite web |title=Taunton Trains Loco-Hauled Info |url= http://www.tauntontrains.co.uk/LOCOHAULED.htm| date=27 April 2011 |publisher= Taunton Trains}}</ref> First Great Western issued a tender in May 2013 so that locomotive-hauled trains, or other train formations, can be operated on the Taunton-Cardiff route again, starting in December 2013. This would cover for its DMUs while they are off for refurbishment on Monday-Friday diagrams. If locomotive-hauled trains were to be used again, they would start four years after the final trains from the previous diagrams ran.<ref>{{cite news |title=FGW offers £7 million loco-hauled contract |url= http://www.railwaymagazine.co.uk/news/fgw-offers-7million-loco-hauled-contract |date=28 May 2013 |accessdate=12 August 2013|work=The Railway Magazine}}</ref>


The first Class 769 to be delivered to GWR was unit 769943, which arrived at Reading TMD in August 2020. It was expected to enter service in early 2021.<ref>{{cite press release |url= https://www.gwr.com/about-us/media-centre/news/2020/august/gwr-receives-the-uks-first-tri-mode-train |title=Great Western Railway receives the UK's first tri-mode train |publisher= Great Western Railway |date=26 August 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200922053146/https://www.gwr.com/about-us/media-centre/news/2020/august/gwr-receives-the-uks-first-tri-mode-train |archive-date=22 September 2020 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The Class 769 was expected to enter squadron service with GWR between June and December 2021,<ref>{{cite magazine |title=GWR aims for 2021 'Flex' introduction |magazine=Rail Express |date=May 2021 |page=26 }}</ref> but this was later delayed to 2022.
Twelve {{brc|142}} ''Pacer'' DMUs were received by First Great Western in 2007, starting operations that December. These were loaned from Northern (where they had been stored), in part to cover for refurbishment of FGW's Sprinter fleets but also to allow the Class 158s to be reformed as three coach sets. They were based at ], working alongside the similar {{brc|143|cs}} on services in ] and ], including the ], ] and ]. Five 142s were returned to Northern Rail in the Autumn of 2008, following the completion of the refresh of Class 150 Sprinter units. The remaining seven units were returned to Northern Rail by November 2011 as they have been replaced by Class 150 units cascaded from London Overground and London Midland due to the arrival of new {{brc|172}} ''Turbostar'' units.

In December 2022, GWR announced that the introduction of the Class 769 fleet would be abandoned and the units handed back to Porterbrook in April 2023. This was to comply with DfT mandated cost-cutting and also as a result of dissatisfaction with the reliability of the units on test.<ref name=RG>{{Cite news |title=GWR fleet to shrink further as it abandons Class 769 introduction |url= https://www.railwaygazette.com/uk/gwr-fleet-to-shrink-further-as-it-abandons-class-769-introduction/63230.article |date=23 December 2022 |work=Railway Gazette International |location= London }}</ref>


==Livery== ==Livery==
{{multiple image {{multiple image
| align =
| direction = vertical | direction = vertical
| width = 220 | width =
| image1 = 43005 Reading 2004.png | image1 = 43005 Reading 2004.png
| caption1 = ] in original First Great Western livery at ] | caption1 = ] in modified Great Western Trains livery with First Group logo and fader vinyls at {{rws|Reading}}
| image2 = 150263 and 150 number 216 Cardiff Central to Taunton 2C79 by Train Photos.jpg | image2 = 150263 and 150 number 216 Cardiff Central to Taunton 2C79 by Train Photos.jpg
| caption2 = A First Great Western Class 150 in the 'Local Lines' livery, worn by former Wessex Trains services | caption2 = A First Great Western Class 150 in the 'Local Lines' livery, worn by former Wessex Trains services
}} }}
Great Western Trains adopted an ivory and green livery. Following the rebranding as First Great Western, fader vinyls were added to the ivory and a gold bar containing the stylised FirstGroup ''F'' and Great Western logos.<ref>"First Great Western rebrands its HSTs". ''Rail'' (Peterborough). Issue 360. 30 June 1999. p. 14.</ref> Great Western Trains adopted a livery of dark-green upper body and ivory lower body, with a stylised 'Merlin' bird logo.<ref name="tauntontrains.co.uk">{{Cite web|url=https://www.tauntontrains.co.uk/oldsite/HST.htm|title= HST| website=Taunton Trains|access-date=3 June 2019}}</ref> Following the rebranding as First Great Western, fader vinyls were added to the lower body, with a gold bar containing the stylised FirstGroup ''F'' logo and separate Great Western logotype.<ref>{{cite magazine |title= First Great Western rebrands its HSTs |magazine= ] |issue=360 |date= 30 June 1999 |page=14 |location= Peterborough}}</ref> This livery was sometimes known as the 'fag packet' livery.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.125group.org.uk/current-operators/first-great-western/|title=Great Western Railway|website=125 group|access-date=26 August 2018|archive-date=26 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826150204/http://www.125group.org.uk/current-operators/first-great-western/|url-status=dead}}</ref>


When the Class 180 ''Adelante'' units were delivered, they were painted in the intercity version of FirstGroup's corporate bus livery. This consisted of a purple-blue base, with pink and gold bars and large pink ''F''s on the carriage sides and white highlights along the roof and around the driver's cab. The doors were painted white to comply with the ]. The HST fleet was repainted to match as they went through overhaul; however, the livery on the power cars was progressively altered to a plain blue base with pink and gold stripes, following problems with dirt build-up on the large white areas.<ref name="tauntontrains.co.uk"/>
The rolling stock used on the ] sleeper service retained the original green and gold First Great Western livery until the stock forming these services was refurbished in 2007, when they were painted into 'dynamic lines' livery with vinyls advertising that the coaches operated the 'Night Riviera Sleeper'.


The new Greater Western franchise involved repainting the HST fleet into FirstGroup's 'Dynamic Lines' livery for intercity and commuter services in the former First Great Western and First Great Western Link areas. The livery was initially applied to the HST fleet as they went through refurbishment, although the Class 180 units did not receive the new livery due to the termination of their lease. The commuter units also received the new livery while receiving standard maintenance, as a refurbishment was not originally planned.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tony4170.fotopic.net/p34792487.html|title=The first unit to be reliveried 166220|date=4 October 2006|access-date=10 October 2006}}{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
When the Class 180 ''Adelante'' units were delivered, they were painted in the intercity version of FirstGroup's corporate livery. This consisted of a blue base, with purple and gold bars and large pink ''F''s. The doors were painted white to comply with the ]. The HST fleet was repainted to match as they went through overhaul; however, the livery on the power cars has been altered, following problems with dirt build-up on the large white areas.{{citation needed|date=December 2015}}
The rebranding of the company as Great Western Railway introduced a new GWR logo and a dark green livery with white stripes and grey doors in September 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-34292550|title=First Great Western unveils rebranded Great Western Railway trains|date=21 September 2015|access-date=3 June 2019|website=BBC News}}</ref>

The new Greater Western franchise involved repainting the HST fleet into FirstGroup's 'Dynamic Lines' livery for intercity and commuter services in the former First Great Western and First Great Western Link areas. The livery was initially applied to the HST fleet as they went through refurbishment, although the Class 180 units did not receive the new livery due to the termination of their lease. The commuter units also received the new livery while receiving standard maintenance, as a refurbishment was not originally planned.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://tony4170.fotopic.net/p34792487.html |title=The first unit to be reliveried 166220|date=4 October 2006|accessdate=10 October 2006}}</ref> A second livery known as 'Local Lines' was applied to the DMU fleet, replacing the 'Dynamic Lines' with the names of local attractions forming a similar outline.<ref>{{cite web|author=Jonathon|title=First Great Western 150249|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/jongraham890/16896929532|website=Flickr|accessdate=6 December 2015}}</ref>

The rebranding of the company as Great Western Railway introduced a new, dark green livery in September 2015, and will be rolled out across the fleet by 2018.<ref name=BBC/>


==Depots== ==Depots==
Great Western Railway trains are based at eight depots. Other depots at ] (Swansea) and ] (London) closed in 2018.
]
{| class="wikitable"
First Great Western has four major depots:
|-
*], {{convert|2|mi}} from ]
!Depot || Nearest station || Allocation || Picture || Notes
*] in ]
|-
*], near ]
|]
*] near the end of line in Swansea
|{{Stn|London Paddington}}
There are two smaller depots, Penzance and Exeter. Penzance primarily looks after the sleeper coaches and Exeter maintains West Fleet stock.
|{{cslist|]|]}}
| ]
| Operated by Agility Trains
|-
|]
|{{stnlnk|Reading}}
|{{cslist|{{Brc|165|n}}|{{Brc|166|n}}|{{Brc|230|n}}|{{Brc|387|n}}
|]|]}}
| ]
| Rebuilt to the North of its original location for the new flyover.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-23354169 |title = Reading station train maintenance depot opens - BBC News| work=BBC News | date=18 July 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theconstructionindex.co.uk/news/view/costain-chosen-for-reading-station-rebuild |title = Costain/Hochtief chosen for Reading station rebuild}}</ref>
|-
| ]
| {{stnlnk|Bristol Parkway}}
| ], ]
| ]
| Operated by Agility Trains
|-
| ]
| {{nowrap|{{stnlnk|Bristol Temple Meads}}}}
| {{cslist|]|]|]|]|]|]}}
| ]
|
|-
| ]
| {{stnlnk|Exeter St Davids}}
| {{cslist|]|]}}
| ]
|
|-
| ]
| {{stnlnk|Plymouth}}
| {{cslist|]|]|]|]}}
| ]
|
|-
| ]
| {{Stnlnk|Penzance}}
| {{cslist|]|]|]|]|]}}
| ]
|
|-
| ]
| {{stnlnk|Swansea}}
| ]
| ]
| Operated by Agility Trains
|-
|}


==Electrification== ===Past Depots===

First Great Western has a wide network, but it is mostly not electrified. Diesel trains are operated along the ] electrified ] between {{rws|Redbridge}}, {{rws|Southampton}}, {{rws|Portsmouth Harbour}} and {{rws|Brighton}}, and along the partly third-rail electrified ] (electrified between {{rws|Reading}} and {{rws|Wokingham}}, and between {{rws|Ash}} and ]). They also operate a short stretch of the third rail electrified ] from {{rws|Redhill}} to {{rws|Gatwick Airport}}. The only ] electrified section on FGW territory is the ] between ] and Airport Junction (used by ] and ]).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://assets.dft.gov.uk/consultations/dft-2011-36/great-western-franchise-replacement.pdf |title=Great Western Franchise Replacement Consultation |quote=Electrification of the Great Western Main Line (GWML) currently extends from London Paddington to Heathrow Airport Junction, which is 25 KV AC overhead line (OHL). |date=December 2011 |page=15 |publisher=Department for Transport |accessdate=18 September 2012}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Depot || Nearest station || Allocation || Picture|| Notes
|-
|]
|]
|{{cslist|]|]|]}}
| ]
| Closed 8 December 2018<ref>{{cite web |last1=Holden |first1=Michael |title=Farewell Old Oak Common TMD (1906–2018) |url=https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2018/12/farewell-old-oak-common-tmd-1906-2018.html |website=RailAdvent |access-date=4 February 2019 |date=9 December 2018}}</ref>
|-
|]
|{{stnlnk|Swansea}}
|{{cslist|]|]}}
|]
|Closed for GWR in 2018
|}


==TV documentary==
As part of the ], large parts of the FGW network are to be electrified using overhead lines, including the GWML from Airport Junction to {{rws|Bristol Temple Meads}} via {{rws|Bath Spa}}; the ] from the junction with the Great Western at ] to {{rws|Swansea}}; the ] from {{rws|Didcot Parkway}} to {{rws|Oxford}}; a very short stretch of the ] between Bristol Parkway and Temple Meads; and the ] from {{rws|Reading}} as far as {{rws|Newbury}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cardiffnews.coolcardiff.com/great-western-electrification-and-iep-to-go-ahead/ |title=Great Western electrification and IEP to go ahead |work=Cardiff News |deadurl=no |date=7 May 2011 |accessdate=1 April 2012}}</ref><ref name="swansea"/><ref name="swansea2">{{cite news |url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-18828866 |title=Rail electrification to Swansea and south Wales valleys|date=16 July 2012|accessdate=16 July 2012 |publisher=BBC News}}</ref> The branches to {{rws|Marlow}}, ], and ], and the ] will also be electrified.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/About-Us/greater-west/bagw/LTV| title=Building a Greater West - London and Thames Valley|publisher=First Great Western |accessdate=19 November 2014}}</ref>
] broadcast two television series looking into day-to-day challenges of the Great Western mainline, including events at Dawlish (as well as the sea wall destruction), Cheltenham race day and rugby at Cardiff. It was broadcast as ''The Railway: First Great Western'' and the last series aired in 2015. A similar series based on London Paddington started in September 2017 and covered events such as the reaction to the ] and ] attacks, and several days of severe disruption.{{citation needed|date=April 2023}}


==Future of the franchise==
While the project covers the major intercity routes to Bristol and Wales, many long-distance services run beyond the planned electrification zone to stations such as {{rws|Cheltenham Spa}}, ], {{stnlink|Hereford}}, {{rws|Pembroke Dock}}, {{rws|Weston-super-Mare}}, {{rws|Taunton}} and {{rws|Penzance}}. These services would have to either retain diesel traction, or employ "bi-mode" trains capable of taking power either from overhead lines or from onboard diesel generators. Some transport groups in the Bristol area are worried that this would mean the end of direct services from London to Weston-super-Mare,<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Bristol-London-line-electrified/story-11312089-detail/story.html |title=Bristol to London line to be electrified |work=Bristol Post |date=23 July 2009 |accessdate=5 April 2012}}</ref> forcing commuters on to already crowded local services, currently worked by diesel multiple units approaching the end of their useful lives. These groups and local politicians are campaigning for the extension of electrification to Weston-super-Mare, as well as the complete electrification of the ].<ref name="Penrose">{{cite press release |url= http://www.johnpenrose.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=258:westons-rail-commuter-services-could-be-cut-warns-towns-mp&catid=48:communities-not-dormitories&Itemid=108 |title=Weston's rail commuter services could be cut, warns town's MP |date=17 July 2009 |accessdate=5 April 2012 |publisher=] MP}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/MP-takes-drive-better-rail-services/story-13697379-detail/story.html |title=MP takes drive for better rail services to top |date=29 October 2011 |accessdate=5 April 2012 |work=This Is Bristol}}</ref><ref name="FoSBR11">{{cite news |url= http://fosbr.org.uk/files/newsletter/11autumn.pdf |title=FoSBR Newsletter |issue=78 |publisher= ] |date=Autumn 2011 |accessdate=9 April 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Rail-benefits-just-mainline/story-11304651-detail/story.html |title=Benefits of Bristol to London high-speed rail link 'must go beyond just mainline' |date=3 March 2011 |accessdate=5 April 2012 |work=Bristol Post}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/great%20western/consultation%20responses/f/friends%20of%20suburban%20bristol%20railways.pdf |title=Friends of Suburban Bristol Railways' response to Network Rail's Great Western Route Utilisation Strategy |author=] |publisher=] |accessdate=15 April 2012}}</ref> A similar situation developed in Wales, as the electrification was not due to extend to Swansea.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/Swansea-electrification-campaign-continues |newspaper=Rail Technology Magazine |title=Swansea electrification campaign continues |date=21 March 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-17321214 |publisher=BBC News |title= Sewta says south Wales rail electrification will boost jobs |date=11 March 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-18025335 |publisher=BBC News |title=Swansea rail electrification: New push by campaigners |date=11 May 2012}}</ref> However, it was announced in July 2012 that the line to Swansea would in fact be electrified, although there is no proposal to electrify the line west of Swansea to Carmarthen or Pembroke Dock.<ref name="swansea">{{cite news |url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18851907 |title=£9bn railway investment announced by coalition |date=16 July 2012 |accessdate=16 July 2012 |publisher=BBC News}}</ref><ref name="swansea2"/>
The franchise was due to end on 31 March 2020. In November 2017, the DfT announced its intention to negotiate a further extension for the franchise until April 2022 with an option to extend for a further two years.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/the-future-of-the-great-western-franchise |title=The future of the Great Western franchise |publisher=Department for Transport |date=29 November 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.gwr.com/about-us/media-centre/news/2017/november/gwr-responds-to-dft-announcement-to-extend-gwr-franchise |title=GWR responds to DfT announcement to extend GWR franchise |publisher=Great Western Railway |date=29 November 2017}}</ref> A new contract was agreed on 30 March 2020, running for three years, extendable to four.<ref>{{cite web |title=Critical rail services protected in new deals for GWR and Southeastern |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/critical-rail-services-protected-in-new-deals-for-gwr-and-southeastern |website=gov.uk |access-date=30 March 2020 |language=en}}</ref>


==See also== ==See also==
*], a railway company that existed from 1833 to 1948
{{Portal|UK Railways}}
*] The nationalised division of British Rail from 1948 to 1992
*]


==References== ==References==
Line 548: Line 1,332:


==External links== ==External links==
{{commons}}
{{commons category-inline|Great Western Railway (First Group)}}
*{{official website|http://www.gwr.com/}} *{{Official website}}


{{s-start}} {{s-start}}
{{s-bef|before=]<br><small>As part of ]</small>}} {{s-bef|before=]<br />As part of ]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Operator of Great Western franchise|years=1996–2006}} {{s-ttl|title=Operator of Great Western franchise|years=1996{{ndash}}2006}}
{{s-aft|after=First Great Western'''<br /><small>Greater Western franchise</small>}} {{s-aft|after=First Great Western<br />'''Greater Western franchise'''}}
{{s-bef|before=First Great Western'''<br /><small>Great Western franchise</small>}} {{s-bef|before=]<br />'''Great Western franchise'''}}
{{s-ttl|rows=3|title=Operator of ] franchise {{s-ttl|rows=3|title=Operator of ]
|years=2006&nbsp;– present}} |years=2006{{ndash}}2028}}
{{s-inc|rows=3}} {{s-inc|rows=3}}
|- |-
{{s-bef|before=]'''<br /><small>Thames franchise</small>}} {{s-bef|before=]<br />'''Thames franchise'''}}
|- |-
{{s-bef|before=]'''<br /><small>Wessex franchise</small>}} {{s-bef|before=]<br />'''Wessex franchise'''}}
{{end}} {{s-end}}
{{Current UK TOCs}} {{UK TOCs|current|state=collapsed}}
{{Transport in London}} {{Transport in London}}
{{Transport in Cardiff}} {{Transport in Cardiff}}
{{FirstGroup}} {{FirstGroup}}


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Latest revision as of 18:19, 26 December 2024

Train operating company in Great Britain This article is about the 1996 company. For the 1833–1947 company, see Great Western Railway. For other uses, see Great Western Railway (disambiguation).

Great Western Railway
Class 802 IET and Class 43 Castle at Penzance
Overview
Franchise(s)
  • InterCity Great Western 4 February 1996 – 31 March 2006
  • Greater Western 1 April 2006 – 25 June 2028
Main region(s)
Other region(s)
Fleet
Stations called atover 270
Stations operated199
Parent companyFirstGroup
Reporting markGW
Predecessor
Technical
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Electrification
Length1,323.0 mi (2,129.2 km)
Other
Websitewww.gwr.com Edit this at Wikidata
System map

First Greater Western, trading as Great Western Railway (GWR), is a British train operating company owned by FirstGroup that provides services in the Greater Western franchise area. It manages 197 stations and its trains call at over 270. GWR operates long-distance inter-city services along the Great Western Main Line to and from the West of England and South Wales, inter-city services from London to the West Country via the Reading–Taunton line, and the Night Riviera sleeper service between London and Penzance. It provides outer-suburban services in West London; commuter services from its London terminus at London Paddington to the Thames Valley region, including parts of Berkshire and Buckinghamshire, and Oxfordshire; and regional services throughout the West of England and South Wales to the South coast of England. Great Western Railway also operates the Heathrow Express service.

The company began operating in February 1996 as Great Western Trains, as part of the privatisation of British Rail. In December 1998, it became First Great Western after FirstGroup bought out its partners' shares in Great Western Holdings. In April 2006, First Great Western, First Great Western Link and Wessex Trains were combined into the new Greater Western franchise and brought under the First Great Western brand. The company adopted its current name and a new livery in September 2015 to coincide with the start of a newly extended contract that was subsequently extended to run until June 2028.

History

An InterCity 125 as operated by the original Great Western Trains franchise in 1996-1998

As part of the privatisation of British Rail, the Great Western InterCity franchise was awarded by the Director of Passenger Rail Franchising to Great Western Holdings in December 1995, and it began operations on 4 February 1996. Great Western Holdings was owned by some former British Rail managers (51%), FirstBus (24.5%) and 3i (24.5%).

In March 1998, FirstGroup bought out its partners' stakes to give it 100% ownership. In December 1998, the franchise was rebranded First Great Western.

On 1 April 2004, First Great Western Link began operating the Thames Trains franchise. It ran local services from Paddington to Slough, Henley-on-Thames, Reading, Didcot Parkway, Oxford, Newbury, Bedwyn, Worcester Shrub Hill, Hereford, Banbury and Stratford-upon-Avon. It also operated services from Reading to Gatwick Airport (via Guildford and Dorking), and from Reading to Basingstoke.

First Great Western Link operated the Thames Trains franchise from April 2004 until it was absorbed into the Greater Western franchise in 2006.

On 1 April 2006, the Great Western, Great Western Link and Wessex Trains franchises were combined into a new Greater Western franchise. FirstGroup, National Express and Stagecoach were shortlisted to bid for it. On 13 December 2005, it was announced that FirstGroup had won the franchise. Originally, First planned to subdivide its services into three categories based on routes. Following feedback from staff and stakeholders, the decision was taken to re-brand and re-livery all services as 'First Great Western'.

In May 2011, FirstGroup announced that it had decided not to take up the option to extend its franchise beyond the end of March 2013. It stated that, in the light of the £1 billion plan to electrify the Great Western route from London via Bristol to Cardiff, it wished to try to negotiate a longer-term deal. CEO Tim O'Toole said: "We believe we are best placed to manage these projects and capture the benefits through a longer-term franchise."

By not taking up the option to extend its original franchise contract for a further three years, FirstGroup avoided having to pay £826.6 million to the government; it received extra subsidies totalling £133 million from the government in 2010.

In March 2012, Arriva, FirstGroup, National Express and Stagecoach were shortlisted to bid for the new franchise. The winner was expected to be announced in December 2012, with the new franchisee taking over in April 2013. But it was announced in July 2012 that the franchise would be extended, due to the late issue of the invitation to tender (ITT). The ITT ran from the end of July until October 2012. The winner would have been announced in March 2013, and taken on the franchise from 21 July 2013 until the end of July 2028. The new franchise would include the introduction of new Intercity Express Trains, capacity enhancements and smart ticketing. The award of the franchise was again delayed in October 2012, while the Department for Transport (DfT) reviewed the way rail franchises were awarded.

In January 2013, the government announced that the current competition for the franchise had been aborted, and that FirstGroup's contract had been extended until October 2013. A two-year franchise extension until September 2015 was agreed in October 2013, and subsequently extended until March 2019. A further extension to April 2019 was granted in March 2015.

The refurbishment of first-class carriages in 2014 included interiors that featured a new GWR logo, with no First branding. The whole company was rebranded Great Western Railway (GWR) on 20 September 2015, with the introduction of a green livery in recognition of the former Great Western Railway which existed between 1835 and 1947. The new livery was introduced when HST interiors were refurbished, and on sleeper carriages and Class 57/6 locomotives.

In May 2018, TfL Rail – which later became the Elizabeth line – took over services from Paddington to Hayes & Harlington, and then some stopping services to Reading in December 2019. becoming part of the Elizabeth line service.

In March 2020, the DfT awarded a further extension to 31 March 2023.

In June 2022, the DfT replaced the franchise agreement with a direct award contract that expires on 25 June 2028, with an option to extend for a further three years.

GWR is one of several train operators impacted by the 2022–2024 United Kingdom railway strikes, which are the first national rail strikes in the UK for three decades. Its workers are amongst those who are participating in industrial action due to a dispute over pay and working conditions.

Routes

Great Western Railway operates routes west of London including those towards south west England such as Wiltshire, Bristol, Cornwall, Gloucestershire, as well as Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Hereford and South Wales.

The following is a simplified list of regular off-peak weekday service from the June 2024 timetables.

Intercity

London to South Wales
Route tph Calling at
London Paddington to Cardiff Central 1
London Paddington to Swansea 1

7 trains per day continue to Carmarthen mainly calling at Llanelli and Pembrey & Burry Port.

London to Bristol and Somerset
Route tph Calling at
London Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads 2

1 train every 2 hours continues towards Weston-super-Mare, calling at Nailsea and Backwell, Yatton and Worle.

London to Devon and Cornwall
Route tph Calling at
London Paddington to Exeter St Davids 1tp2h

Some trains continue to Paignton or Plymouth, calling at various intermediate stations.

London Paddington to Plymouth 1tp2h

Alternates with services between London Paddington and Penzance to provide an hourly service on this route

London Paddington to Penzance 1tp2h

Alternates with services between London Paddington and Plymouth to provide an hourly service between those stations

London to Oxford and The Cotswolds
Route tph Calling at
London Paddington to Oxford 1
London Paddington to Great Malvern 1

Certain trains terminate at Worcester while others continue to Hereford calling at Colwall and Ledbury.

London Paddington to Cheltenham Spa 1

One train per day continues to Worcester Shrub Hill calling at Ashchurch for Tewkesbury.

Thames Valley

Great Western Mainline
Route tph Calling at
London Paddington to Didcot Parkway 2
Reading–Taunton Line
Route tph Calling at
London Paddington to Newbury 1
Reading to Newbury 1
Newbury to Bedwyn 1
  • One train runs non-stop from Newbury to Bedwyn.
Greenford Branch
Route tph Calling at
West Ealing to Greenford 2
Windsor Branch
Route tph Calling at
Slough to Windsor & Eton Central 3 Shuttle service
Marlow Branch
Route tph Calling at
Maidenhead to Marlow 1
Regatta Line
Route tph Calling at
Twyford to Henley-on-Thames 2
North Downs Line
Route tph Calling at
Reading to Gatwick Airport 2
  • Trains either serve Chilworth and Gomshall, or Dorking West and Betchworth.
    • All remaining trains serve Crowthorne, Sandhurst, Farnborough North, and Ash.
Reading–Basingstoke Line
Route tph Calling at
Reading to Basingstoke 2
Oxford Canal Line
Route tph Calling at
Didcot Parkway to Oxford 1tp2h
Didcot Parkway to Banbury 1tp2h

Bristol

Wessex Mainline
Route tph Calling at
Cardiff Central to Portsmouth Harbour 1
South Wales to Devon and Cornwall
Route tph Calling at
Cardiff Central to Penzance 1tp2h
  • Alternates with services between Cardiff Central and Taunton and services between Plymouth and Penzance to provide an hourly service between those stations
Bristol and Somerset
Route tph Calling at
Cardiff Central to Taunton 1tp2h
  • Alternates with services between Cardiff Central and Penzance to provide an hourly service on this route
Weston-super-Mare to Severn Beach 1
Bristol Temple Meads to Avonmouth 1
  • Lawrence Hill
  • Stapleton Road
  • Montpelier
  • Redland
  • Clifton Down
  • Sea Mills
  • Shirehampton
  • Portway Park & Ride
Bristol Temple Meads to Filton Abbey Wood 1
Gloucester and the Heart of Wessex Line
Route tph Calling at
Gloucester to Weymouth 1tp2h
  • Alternates with services from Gloucester to Westbury to provide an hourly service between those stations
Gloucester to Westbury 1tp2h
  • 2 trains per day continue to Frome
  • Alternates with services from Gloucester to Weymouth to provide an hourly service on this route
Worcester Foregate Street to Bristol Temple Meads 1
Bristol Temple Meads to Salisbury 1
Trans-Wilts Line
Route tph Calling at
Swindon to Westbury 1tp2h

West of England

Cornish Mainline
Route tph Calling at
Plymouth to Penzance 1tp2h
  • Alternates with services from Cardiff Central to Penzance to provide an hourly service on this route
Avocet and Riviera Lines
Route tph Calling at
Exmouth to Paignton 2
  • Trains either serve Lympstone Commando, Exton, Polsloe Bridge, and St James Park, or Exeter St Thomas, Marsh Barton, Starcross, and Dawlish Warren.
Dartmoor and Tarka Lines
Route tph Calling at
Exeter Central to Okehampton 1
Exeter Central to Barnstaple 1
Tamar Valley Line
Route tph Calling at
Plymouth to Gunnislake 1tp2h
Looe Valley Line
Route tph Calling at
Liskeard to Looe 1
  • One train every 2 hours runs non-stop between Liskeard and Looe.
Atlantic Coast Line
Route tph Calling at
Par to Newquay 1tp2h
Maritime Line
Route tph Calling at
Truro to Falmouth Docks 2
St Ives Bay Line
Route tph Calling at
St Erth to St Ives 2
  1. ^ Trains reverse
  2. ^ Request stop

Named trains

Further information: List of named passenger trains of the United Kingdom

Great Western Railway's named passenger trains include:

Name Origin Destination
The Armada Plymouth London Paddington
The Atlantic Coast Express London Paddington Newquay
The Bristolian London Paddington Bristol Temple Meads
The Capitals United Swansea London Paddington
The Cathedrals Express Hereford London Paddington
The Cheltenham Spa Express London Paddington Cheltenham Spa
The Cornishman Penzance London Paddington
The Cornish Riviera London Paddington Penzance
Cotswolds and Malvern Express London Paddington Hereford
The Devon Express London Paddington Paignton
The Flying Carolean London Paddington Swansea
The Golden Hind Penzance London Paddington
The Mayflower London Paddington Plymouth
The Merchant Venturer London Paddington Bristol Temple Meads or Weston-super-Mare
The Night Riviera London Paddington Penzance
The Pembroke Coast Express London Paddington Pembroke Dock
The Red Dragon London Paddington Carmarthen
The Royal Duchy London Paddington Penzance
The Saint David London Paddington Swansea
The Torbay Express London Paddington Paignton
Y Cymro – The Welshman Swansea London Paddington

Onboard services

Pullman Dining

GWR operates restaurant cars on certain West Country and Wales trains to or from London Paddington. They are available to first-class and standard-class passengers, though only first-class passengers may make advance reservations, and they have priority over seats in the restaurant. Meals in the restaurant car are not included in the price of rail tickets.

First class

First class interior on a GWR Intercity Express Train

GWR has first class on all its long-distance high-speed services. First class on the IETs includes fabric reclining seating with tables at every seat, as well as an at-seat service provided by a customer host on most journeys. Unlike the previous HSTs, the IETs do not have leather first-class seating due to fire regulations. Like the HSTs, there are power sockets and USB charging points at every seat. There is Wi-Fi throughout the first class-carriages, which GWR describes as 'upgraded'.

Standard class

Standard-class interior on a GWR Intercity Express Train

Standard class is provided on all services. Many services on long-distance and regional routes have specific seat reservations.

Trolley service

An at-seat trolley service is scheduled to operate on most IET services, with a trolley in each portion of a ten-coach train. This is different from the HSTs, which had buffet counters branded as 'Express Cafes'.

Performance

Disabled passengers

In July 2018, a disabled woman was threatened by Great Western Railway staff with police action and removal from the train she was travelling in, for using a disabled space for her mobility scooter. Canadian-born comedian Tanyalee Davis, who has a form of dwarfism, said she was humiliated when a Great Western Railway conductor made an announcement that she was "causing problems" which had delayed the train. The incident occurred after a woman travelling with a young child demanded that Davis make way for her pram. GWR said the incident should not have happened and "No one travelling with us should be left feeling like this".

Strike action

In 2015, the imminent arrival of the new Class 800 trains provoked a series of strikes by the RMT union over who has the right to control the doors. First Great Western wanted to replace conductors with driver-only operation (DOO); however, following several discussions it was agreed to keep conductors on all IET services. Another strike took place in early December 2016 amidst a background of ongoing rail strikes on a national level. The RMT ballotted Servest UK workers employed on an outsourcing contract to GWR as cleaners; the ballot passed in favour of strike action by 98%. A disruptive transfer period in the outsourcing contract, from Mitie to Servest UK, had resulted in what the RMT referred to as the creation of a "two-tier workforce" amongst cleaners at GWR, with an inequality in pay and working conditions between cleaners employed directly by GWR and those outsourced to Servest UK. Two 24-hour strikes were held from 06:00 on 16 and 23 December, followed by a 48-hour strike from 06:00 on 19 January 2017. Further industrial action was suspended by the RMT following the January strike as a result of an improvement in ongoing negotiations between the RMT, GWR and Servest UK. The dispute was formally resolved in July 2017, as RMT members voted in favour of accepting a new pay deal.

IET issues

A Class 800 bogie. The white casting at the top is attached to the body and has the triangular yaw damper bracket on the left and the lifting pad is at the top of the square fixture to the right.

In April 2021, cracks were discovered in the yaw damper brackets (part of the suspension system) of Class 800 and 802 InterCity Express Trains (IET). Eight trains were withdrawn from service and an investigation started into the cause. On 8 May, all these trains and similar ones operated by other companies were taken out of service. Cracks had now been found in the lifting pads (a component fixed near the bogie) and it was feared that if these were to fall off they may cause injury or derailment.

The only IET units that were permitted to operate were those which had been carefully inspected and found to have no significant cracks. This meant that most of GWR's 93 units were unavailable which led to significant disruption to long-distance services. Class 387 units operated additional services from London Paddington to Didcot Parkway which were later extended to Swindon and Bristol Parkway after approval was given for them to operate in service on this route. Three additional 387 units were loaned from c2c and were modified to work with GWR's fleet, mostly on services to Newbury. CrossCountry operated a service on behalf of GWR from Swindon to Bristol Temple Meads and the few available 800 and 802, were concentrated on services west of Swindon and to Plymouth. Plans were agreed on 13 May to increase inspections of the lifting pads and yaw dampers so that more trains could be returned to service. A further six Class 387 units were loaned from Govia Thameslink Railway in July 2021 and used in a common pool with GWR's existing 387/1 fleet, being surplus to requirements while the Gatwick Express service was suspended.

Rolling stock

Great Western Railway inherited a fleet of InterCity 125 sets (Class 43 power cars and Mark 3 Coaches) and Class 57 locomotives and Mark 3 sleeper coaches from BR. In 2006, it inherited a fleet of Class 165 and Class 166 units from First Great Western Link, and a fleet of Class 150, Class 153 and Class 158 units from Wessex Trains.

Inter-City services

Class 800 Intercity Express Train

Class 800 at Oxford

The fleet of 57 Class 800 trains from the Hitachi A-train family is used to operate most of GWR's long-distance services between London and destinations such as Swindon, Chippenham, Bath Spa, Bristol Temple Meads, Newport, Cardiff Central, Swansea, Carmarthen, Cheltenham Spa, Oxford, Worcester Shrub Hill and Hereford. Introduced between autumn 2017 and spring 2019, these gradually replaced the older InterCity 125 sets.

On 28 April 2021, six Class 800s were withdrawn from service due to cracks being found during maintenance and were sent to Hitachi for inspection.

Class 802 Intercity Express Train

Class 802 at Tiverton Parkway

Long-distance services between London and destinations in the west of the GWR network (such as Paignton, Newquay, Plymouth and Penzance) are mostly operated using the fleet of 36 Class 802 trains, the first of which was introduced on 20 August 2018.

These trains are almost identical to the Class 800 trains, except they have a higher engine operating power—700 kW (940 hp) per engine as opposed to 560 kW (750 hp)—and are fitted with larger fuel tanks to cope with the gradients and extended running in diesel mode on the long unelectrified stretches in Devon and Cornwall.

Hitachi planned to test a tri-mode Class 802 in 2022 fitted with batteries in an attempt to reduce emissions when entering and leaving stations.

Sleeper services

Class 57 + Mark 3

Class 57 locomotive at St Philip's Marsh depot

Four Class 57/6 locomotives have hauled the Night Riviera sleeper services since 2004 when they replaced Class 47s. Due to poor availability of the 57/6s, Direct Rail Services (DRS) Class 57/3s have been hired from Direct Rail Services. in 2023, former DRS 57312 was placed on permanent lease with GWR.

Thames Valley and Bristol services

Class 165/1 Networker Turbo

Class 165 on Basingstoke service

The Class 165 "Networker Turbo" is a two- or three-coach DMU used on shorter-distance services in the Thames Valley area, with the majority based at Reading Traction Maintenance Depot. They are mainly used on branches such as the Greenford branch line, Slough–Windsor & Eton line, Marlow branch line and Henley branch line. They are also used on services between Reading and Basingstoke, Didcot Parkway and Oxford or Banbury and sometimes services between London and Oxford. Some are (and eventually all will be) based at St Philip's Marsh depot in Bristol, where they work on most of the lines in the area including the Severn Beach line, Heart of Wessex Line, Golden Valley line and Bristol to Exeter line. From summer 2018, they are due to run on Cardiff Central to Portsmouth Harbour services too. In response to its Remedial Plan Notice, First Great Western undertook a more thorough refurbishment of the Thames Turbo fleet than originally planned: the trains were to be fitted with improved lighting, carpets, toilets, and a revised seating layout. This refurbishment started in September 2016.

Class 166 Networker Turbo

Class 166 at Bristol Temple Meads

The Class 166 "Networker Turbo" is a three-coach DMU, similar to the Class 165 units but with an internal layout more suitable for longer-distance services. They are now mostly based at St Philip's Marsh depot in Bristol, where they currently work on most of the lines in the area including the Wessex Main Line, Severn Beach line, Heart of Wessex Line, Golden Valley line and Bristol to Taunton line.

Class 387/1 Electrostar

Class 387 at Reading

The Class 387 "Electrostar" is a four-coach EMU built by Bombardier, with a 2+2 seating layout, tables, power sockets and free Wi-Fi. It can be operated in four, eight- and twelve-coach formations. The class began to enter service in September 2016 on weekday peak services between London Paddington and Hayes & Harlington, using the overhead electrical equipment used by Heathrow Express. Services using the class were extended to Maidenhead in May 2017 and later to Didcot Parkway, and from Reading to Newbury.

Bombardier Transportation at Ilford Depot had modified twelve of these trains by December 2020, installing new first-class seating, Wi-Fi, luggage racks and on-board entertainment, to be used on Heathrow Express services. Rebranded as "Heathrow Express", and refurbished with Heathrow Express moquette, they replaced the existing Class 332, entering service on 29 December 2020.

In 2023 3 units were cascaded to Great Northern.

West of England services

Class 43 + Mark 3 HST / Class 255 Castle

Class 255 Castle set hauled by HST Class 43 powercars at Stapleton Road

Great Western Railway retained 24 power cars and 48 carriages from its former High Speed Train fleet to form 12 'Castle' 2+4 sets. They are branded as Class 255 sets and are for use on multiple services between Plymouth and Penzance. There is a consensus that the sets shall be withdrawn at the end of 2024, ending their services with GWR in Devon and Cornwall and replaced with Class 175s. All power cars being retained will have new nameplates, named after castles from across the area that GWR serve. The sets are progressively being fitted with automatic doors and controlled emission toilets, to allow their operation beyond 2020, at Doncaster Works. Due to a delay in refurbishing the Castle sets, slam door 2+4 sets known as 'Classic' sets were used until the end of 2019.

Until 2017, GWR operated the vast majority of its long-distance services with a fleet of 58 InterCity 125 High Speed Train sets, each consisting of eight Mark 3 coaches sandwiched between two Class 43 locomotives. GWR operated the largest InterCity 125 fleet, owning five sets outright; the rest were leased from Angel Trains and Porterbrook. From 2009 to 2012 (when Class 180s were reintroduced on the Cotswold line) all the company's intercity services were worked by HSTs except the Night Riviera sleeper service between London Paddington and Penzance. From late 2017, following the completion of electrification from Hayes & Harlington to the west of England, intercity services gradually became operated by Class 800 IETs, although a few peak services remained operated by HSTs until early 2019. GWR continued to use HSTs on services to Exeter, Plymouth and Penzance until May 2019, when they were all withdrawn in favour of Class 802 units.

The youngest Class 43 locomotive dated from 1982. After a successful trial by Angel Trains and FGW in 2004, two power cars received new MTU engines while two received new Paxman VP185s, fitted by Brush Traction of Loughborough. The MTU engine proved the better option, both for reliability and for emissions, resulting in FGW, Brush and Angel Trains starting the HST Modernisation programme. The last power cars to be re-engineered were released in April 2008, while several other companies' HSTs have now all undergone a similar programme.

GWR's High Speed Train fleet were refurbished by Bombardier in Derby and Ilford between 2006 and 2008, with leather seats introduced in first class, redesigned toilets, a redesigned buffet, and at-seat power points. The company opted for mainly airline seats, giving more seats per train.

Following the Southall and Ladbroke Grove rail crashes, GWR requires its HSTs to have automatic train protection and Automatic Warning System safety systems in operation. If either is faulty, the train is not used.

Class 150/2 Sprinter

Class 150/2 skirting the Exe estuary

The fleet of 17 two-coach Class 150 Sprinter units was inherited from Wessex Trains as part of the Greater Western franchise shuffle. The fleet had been refurbished by Wessex Trains in 2003, with 2+2 seating arranged in a mixture of 'airline' (face to back) and table seating. The fleet is widespread throughout the former Wessex area, and carried a maroon livery with advertising vinyls for South West Tourism. Each unit was sponsored by a district, town or attraction and carried a unique livery. Most received names of attractions, places and branch lines. Two units were repainted into the new First 'Local' livery, but all units are now due to receive the new green GWR livery. As part of a national fleet shuffle, eight units went to Arriva Trains Wales on 10 December 2006, and were replaced with 8 Class 158 units.

First Great Western received five extra Class 150/2 units in May 2007 as part of its Remedial Plan Notice, to enable three-car Class 158 trains to operate on the Portsmouth-Cardiff services. Five Class 150 sets were hired from Arriva Trains Wales from March 2008 until they were returned in November 2010.

Class 158 Express Sprinter

Class 158 at Bristol Temple Meads

The Class 158 is a two- or three-coach DMU used on regional express services in the former Wessex Trains area. In February 2008, as part of its Remedial Plan Notice, First Great Western announced that it would form some hybrid three-car Class 158 units in March 2008, made possible by the transfer of five Class 150/2 units from Arriva Trains Wales. This allowed for ten hybrid units in operation and, combined with one non-hybrid three-car unit, provided eleven three-car units to operate services between Portsmouth and Cardiff and Great Malvern and Weymouth alongside the two-car units. After the introduction of Class 150/1 trains from London Overground and London Midland, three of the remaining five two-coach Class 158s were reformed to provide two further three-coach Class 158s. However, following their operations largely being taken over by Class 165 and Class 166 units in the Bristol area, most of these units were reformed to restore them to 2 coach formation.

The fleet was refurbished in a programme begun in 2007, which included fitting of reupholstered seats, new lighting and floor coverings, CCTV within the passenger saloons, and refurbished toilets. At the same time, the exteriors of the vehicles were repainted in the updated FGW livery, including artwork depicting various local places of interest. The refurbishment work took place at the Wabtec plant in Doncaster.

In 2018, the 158s began running alongside the first completed Class 255 Castle set on services between Bristol, Exeter, Plymouth and Penzance. Since then, more of the 158 fleet have gradually started to move more west with more 158 sets working services between Exmouth and Paignton / Barnstaple. The timetable change in December 2019 saw the start of the 158s taking over from the 143s primarily on the Tarka Line to Barnstaple, with some of the units also working on the Cardiff / Bristol to Penzance route alongside the Castle sets.

Current fleet

Family Class Image Type Top speed Qty. Carriages Routes Year Built
mph km/h
Commuter, regional and branch line
Sprinter 150/2 DMU 75 120 20 2
  • Exmouth – Paignton
  • Exeter Central – Okehampton
  • Plymouth – Gunnislake
  • Liskeard – Looe
  • Par – Newquay
  • Truro – Falmouth Docks
  • St Erth – St Ives
 1986–1987
158 Express Sprinter 90 145 13 2
  • Exmouth – Paignton
  • Cardiff Central – Portsmouth Harbour
  • Cardiff Central – Penzance
  • Exeter Central - Barnstaple
  • Bristol Temple Meads – Weymouth
 1989–1992
5 3
Networker 165 Networker Turbo 20 2
  • Reading – Redhill or Gatwick Airport
  • Reading – Basingstoke
  • Reading or Didcot Parkway – Oxford or Banbury
  • Twyford – Henley-on-Thames
  • Maidenhead – Marlow
  • Slough – Windsor & Eton Central
  • West Ealing – Greenford
  • Bristol Temple Meads – Avonmouth or Severn Beach
  • Great Malvern – Bristol Temple Meads – Salisbury or Weymouth
  • Swindon – Gloucester or Weymouth
  • Cardiff Central – Portsmouth Harbour
  • Exmouth - Paignton
  • Newbury - Bedwyn
 1992
16 3
166 Networker Turbo 21 3
  • Bristol Temple Meads – Avonmouth or Severn Beach
  • Bristol Parkway – Weston-super-Mare
  • Cardiff Central – Taunton
  • Swindon – Westbury
  • Great Malvern – Bristol Temple Meads – Southampton Central or Weymouth
  • Cardiff Central – Portsmouth Harbour
  • Barnstaple – St James Park (Weekends only)
  • Exmouth - Paignton
 1992–1993
Bombardier Electrostar 387 EMU 110 177 30 4 London Paddington or Reading – Didcot Parkway, Newbury, Bristol Parkway or Swindon
London Paddington – Cardiff Central 		2016–2017
Class 255 Castle 43 HST Diesel locomotive 125 201 11 4 Exeter St Davids – Plymouth – Penzance 1975–1982
Mark 3 Passenger coach 22
Inter-City
Hitachi AT300 800 IET BMU 125 201 36 5 London Paddington
  • – Oxford, Bedwyn, Worcester Shrub Hill, Great Malvern, Hereford
  • – Cardiff Central, Swansea, Carmarthen
  • – Bristol Temple Meads, Weston-super-Mare
  • – Cheltenham Spa, Taunton, Paignton
 2014–2018
21 9
802 IET 22 5 London Paddington
  • – Exeter St Davids, Paignton, Plymouth, Penzance
  • – Oxford, Bedwyn, Worcester Shrub Hill, Great Malvern, Hereford
 2017–2018
14 9
Sleeper
Night Riviera 57 Diesel locomotive 95 152 5 Varies
  • 2 Night Riviera sets for London Paddington – Penzance sleeper service
 1964–1967 (Rebuild: 1998–2004)
Mark 3 Passenger coach 110 177 20 1975–1988
Shunting locomotives
08 Shunting locomotive 15 24 8 n/a Stock movements in depots 1952–1962
  1. Locomotive-hauled Mark 3 coaches are generally formed of 7–9 coaches for the Night Riviera. They are hauled by a single Class 57.

Past fleet

Family Class Image Type Top speed Total Withdrawn Notes
mph km/h
Commuter, regional and branch line
Pacer 142 DMU 75 120 12 2011 Replaced by Class 165 Networker Turbo and Class 166 Networker Turbo
143 8 2020
Sprinter 150/0 2
150/1 17 2018
153 Super Sprinter 14 2018–2019
Bombardier Electrostar 387/1 EMU 110 177 15 2019–2020, 2023
387/2 6 2021–22
  • These trains were subleased from Great Northern in 2021, to provide cover for Class 800 and Class 802 InterCity Express Train (IET) units, following cracks being found on the IETs
  • After the issues surrounding the IET trains were resolved, these units were returned to Great Northern at the end of 2021
387/3 3
  • These trains were transferred from c2c to provide cover for Class 800 and Class 802 InterCity Express Train (IET) units, following cracks being found on the IETs
  • In June 2022 the units were withdrawn and transferred to Great Northern in July 2022
Inter-City
InterCity 125 43 (HST) Diesel locomotive 125 200 91 2019
Mark 3 Passenger coach 408
Alstom Coradia 180 Adelante DMU 125 200 14 2017
A former FGW motorail carriage, seen at Penzance

Locomotive-hauled trains were in use on services between Cardiff, Bristol, Taunton and Paignton from December 2008 until November 2010 using Virgin Trains Class 57 locomotives with Mark 2 coaching stock. A second set hauled by EWS Class 67s was used between December 2009 and October 2010. These were withdrawn when sufficient DMUs were available following the transfer of six Class 150/1 sets from London Overground. First Great Western issued a tender in May 2013 so that locomotive-hauled trains, or other train formations, could be operated on the Taunton-Cardiff route again, proposed to start in December 2013, to cover for DMUs out of service for refurbishment on Monday-to-Friday diagrams. GWR also runs loco-hauled sets composed of seating coaches and a Class 57 locomotive from the Night Riviera service between Penzance and Exeter St Davids as part of the summer timetable to release a DMU for other services.

Twelve Class 142 Pacer DMUs were received by First Great Western in 2007, starting operations that December. These were sub-leased from Northern Rail (where they had been stored), in part to cover for refurbishment of FGW's Sprinter fleets but also to allow the Class 158s to be re-formed as three-coach sets. They were based at Exeter TMD, working alongside the similar Class 143s on services in Devon and Cornwall, including the Avocet Line, Riviera Line and Tarka Line. Five 142s were returned to Northern Rail in late 2008, following the completion of the refresh of Class 150 Sprinter units. The remaining seven units were returned to Northern Rail by November 2011 as they had been replaced by Class 150 units cascaded from London Overground and London Midland following the arrival of new Class 172 Turbostar units.

GWR's Night Riviera service also included the UK's last Motorail service, until that aspect was withdrawn at the end of the 2005 summer season due to low usage.

First Great Western previously leased 14 Class 180 Adelante units, operating on the Great Western Main Line, but following technical issues they were transferred elsewhere. In 2012, five units were returned to First Great Western to operate weekday services on the Cotswold Line, allowing class 165 and 166 units to be reallocated to increase capacity on Thames Valley services. The Class 180s left GWR in stages between June and December 2017 to join Grand Central.

The 150/1s in the GWR fleet transferred to Arriva Rail North in stages, beginning with the first three in August 2017 when their leases expired, and ending in April 2018. The 153s also transferred elsewhere in stages too, with the first four units going to East Midlands Trains and the next five units going to Arriva Rail North. This left just five 153 units with GWR, which eventually transferred to Transport for Wales in April 2019.

Future fleet

In February 2023, GWR purchased a number of assets from the administrators of battery train manufacturer Vivarail, including 67 former London Underground D78 Stock carriages and intellectual property rights to the Class 230. GWR have also employed nine Vivarail staff. It intends to trial the Class 230 units on the Greenford branch line between West Ealing and Greenford.

In August 2024, Rail Express reported that GWR were planning to lease the Class 175 fleet. In November 2024, it was announced that GWR had signed a lease for the Class 175 fleet; the fleet is planned to enter service in 2025.

Family Class Image Type Top speed Quantity of units Carriages per unit Routes Year built
mph km/h
Alstom Coradia 175/0 DMU 100 160 11 2 TBA 1999-2001
175/1 16 3
Vivarail D-Train 230 BEMU
DEMU 		60 97 1 3 West Ealing–Greenford 1978-1981 (LU)

2015-2019 (Vivarail)

3 2

Rejected fleet

Class 769 on a trial run at Guildford

It was planned for Great Western Railway to operate nineteen Class 769/9 units once they were fully rolled out. The operator intended to run the first services in spring 2019, but this was delayed by issues faced by Porterbrook in converting the units. However, the first vehicle has been delivered and all were expected to be delivered by the end of 2021.

Although initially planned for use in London and the Thames Valley, while 12 Class 387 units were modified for Heathrow Express services, the future plan for these units was to be operating on services between Oxford, Reading and Gatwick Airport, which would have meant operating on non-electrified lines, 25 kV AC OHLE and 750 V DC third-rail routes. To enable this, GWR's allocation of Class 769 units retained their dual-voltage capability in addition to being fitted with diesel power units. The units also received an internal refurbishment and be fitted with air cooling.

The first Class 769 to be delivered to GWR was unit 769943, which arrived at Reading TMD in August 2020. It was expected to enter service in early 2021. The Class 769 was expected to enter squadron service with GWR between June and December 2021, but this was later delayed to 2022.

In December 2022, GWR announced that the introduction of the Class 769 fleet would be abandoned and the units handed back to Porterbrook in April 2023. This was to comply with DfT mandated cost-cutting and also as a result of dissatisfaction with the reliability of the units on test.

Livery

HST in modified Great Western Trains livery with First Group logo and fader vinyls at ReadingA First Great Western Class 150 in the 'Local Lines' livery, worn by former Wessex Trains services

Great Western Trains adopted a livery of dark-green upper body and ivory lower body, with a stylised 'Merlin' bird logo. Following the rebranding as First Great Western, fader vinyls were added to the lower body, with a gold bar containing the stylised FirstGroup F logo and separate Great Western logotype. This livery was sometimes known as the 'fag packet' livery.

When the Class 180 Adelante units were delivered, they were painted in the intercity version of FirstGroup's corporate bus livery. This consisted of a purple-blue base, with pink and gold bars and large pink Fs on the carriage sides and white highlights along the roof and around the driver's cab. The doors were painted white to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. The HST fleet was repainted to match as they went through overhaul; however, the livery on the power cars was progressively altered to a plain blue base with pink and gold stripes, following problems with dirt build-up on the large white areas.

The new Greater Western franchise involved repainting the HST fleet into FirstGroup's 'Dynamic Lines' livery for intercity and commuter services in the former First Great Western and First Great Western Link areas. The livery was initially applied to the HST fleet as they went through refurbishment, although the Class 180 units did not receive the new livery due to the termination of their lease. The commuter units also received the new livery while receiving standard maintenance, as a refurbishment was not originally planned. The rebranding of the company as Great Western Railway introduced a new GWR logo and a dark green livery with white stripes and grey doors in September 2015.

Depots

Great Western Railway trains are based at eight depots. Other depots at Landore (Swansea) and Old Oak Common (London) closed in 2018.

Depot Nearest station Allocation Picture Notes
North Pole London Paddington Operated by Agility Trains
Reading Reading Rebuilt to the North of its original location for the new flyover.
Stoke Gifford Bristol Parkway 800, 802 Operated by Agility Trains
St Phillip's Marsh Bristol Temple Meads
Exeter TMD Exeter St Davids
Laira Plymouth
Long Rock Penzance
Swansea Maliphant Swansea 800 Operated by Agility Trains

Past Depots

Depot Nearest station Allocation Picture Notes
Old Oak Common London Paddington Closed 8 December 2018
Landore Swansea Closed for GWR in 2018

TV documentary

Channel 5 broadcast two television series looking into day-to-day challenges of the Great Western mainline, including events at Dawlish (as well as the sea wall destruction), Cheltenham race day and rugby at Cardiff. It was broadcast as The Railway: First Great Western and the last series aired in 2015. A similar series based on London Paddington started in September 2017 and covered events such as the reaction to the Manchester Arena and London Bridge attacks, and several days of severe disruption.

Future of the franchise

The franchise was due to end on 31 March 2020. In November 2017, the DfT announced its intention to negotiate a further extension for the franchise until April 2022 with an option to extend for a further two years. A new contract was agreed on 30 March 2020, running for three years, extendable to four.

See also

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