Great Western Railway (train operating company)#Commuter routes

File:09 014 Bf London Paddington, 43 186 Great Western.jpg 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%).{{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}}{{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}}

In March 1998, FirstGroup bought out its partners' stakes to give it 100% ownership.{{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}}{{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}}{{cite report |url=http://www.firstgroup.com/assets/pdfs/investors/annual_reports/1999_annual_report.pdf |title=Annual Report 31 March 1999 |publisher=FirstGroup plc }}{{dead link|date=January 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} In December 1998, the franchise was rebranded First Great Western.{{cite magazine |title= It's First Great Western |magazine= Rail Magazine |issue=346 |date= 16 December 1998 |page=7}}{{cite web |url=http://data.companieshouse.gov.uk/doc/company/05113733 |title=Companies House extract company no 5113733 |publisher=First Greater Western Limited}}

On 1 April 2004, First Great Western Link began operating the Thames Trains 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}}.{{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}}

File:166217 at Reading.JPG

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.{{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}} Originally, First planned to subdivide its services into three categories based on routes.{{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}} Following feedback from staff and stakeholders, the decision was taken to re-brand and re-livery all services as 'First Great Western'.{{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}}

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 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."{{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}}

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.{{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}}

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.{{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}} But it was announced in July 2012 that the franchise would be extended, due to the late issue of the invitation to tender (ITT).{{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}} 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.{{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= Department for Transport |date=27 July 2012 |access-date=29 July 2012}} The new franchise would include the introduction of new Intercity Express Trains, capacity enhancements and smart ticketing.{{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}} 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.{{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}} A two-year franchise extension until September 2015 was agreed in October 2013,{{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}}{{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}} and subsequently extended until March 2019.{{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}}{{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}}{{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}} A further extension to April 2019 was granted in March 2015.{{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}}

The refurbishment of first-class carriages in 2014 included interiors that featured a new GWR logo,{{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}} with no First branding. The whole company was rebranded Great Western Railway (GWR) on 20 September 2015,{{cite web |title=First Greater Western Limited |url= https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/05113733 |publisher=Companies House |access-date=29 December 2017}} with the introduction of a green livery in recognition of the former Great Western Railway which existed between 1835 and 1947.{{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}}{{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}} The new livery was introduced when HST interiors were refurbished, and on sleeper carriages and Class 57/6 locomotives.{{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}}

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

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

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.{{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}}

GWR was one of several train operators impacted by the 2022–2024 United Kingdom railway strikes, which were the first national rail strikes in the UK for three decades.{{Cite news |url = https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-61573206 |title = Rail strike: RMT union votes for national action |work = BBC News |date = 24 May 2022 |access-date = 24 May 2022}}

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.{{cite web|url=https://www.gwr.com/travel-information/train-times|title=Train Times|location=Swindon|publisher=Great Western Railway|access-date=30 September 2024}}

{{notelist}}

{{further|List of named passenger trains of the United Kingdom}}

Great Western Railway's named passenger trains include:{{cite web|url=https://www.gwr.com/explore-the-west/named-services|title=Named services|publisher=Great Western Railway|access-date=6 December 2015}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.gwr.com/about-us/meet-our-trains|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180629155312/https://www.gwr.com/about-us/meet-our-trains|url-status=dead|archive-date=2018-06-29|title=Named trains|website=gwr.com|date=18 November 2024|access-date=18 November 2024}}

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.{{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}} Meals in the restaurant car are not included in the price of rail tickets.

File:Class 800 First Class.jpg

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.{{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 }} Unlike the previous HSTs, the IETs do not have leather first-class seating due to fire regulations.{{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}} 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'.

File:Class 802 Interior.jpg

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

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'.

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.{{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}} 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.{{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}} GWR said the incident should not have happened and "No one travelling with us should be left feeling like this".{{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}}

In 2015, the imminent arrival of the new {{BRC|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.{{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}}

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.{{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}} Two 24-hour strikes were held from 06:00 on 16 and 23 December,{{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}} followed by a 48-hour strike from 06:00 on 19 January 2017.{{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}} 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.{{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}} The dispute was formally resolved in July 2017, as RMT members voted in favour of accepting a new pay deal.{{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}}

File:GWR 800004 (811004) leading bogie.JPG

In April 2021, cracks were discovered in the yaw damper 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.{{cite magazine|last1=Ford |first1=Roger |title=Yaw damper problems hit CAF and Hitachi |magazine=Modern Railways |date=June 2021 |pages=28–32}} 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.{{cite magazine|last1=Ford |first1=Roger |title=Jacking point cracking hits Hitachi fleets |magazine=Modern Railways |date=June 2021 |pages=26–27}}{{cite magazine|last1=Ford |first1=Roger |title=Rolling stock cracks crisis update |magazine=Modern Railways |date=July 2021 |pages=34–35}}

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 London Paddington 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 c2c and were modified to work with GWR's fleet, mostly on services to {{stnlnk|Newbury}}. CrossCountry 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}}.{{cite magazine |title=Cracks crisis |magazine=Modern Railways |date=June 2021 |pages=6–9}} 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.{{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}}{{cite magazine|last1=Abbott|first1=James|title=Great Western prepares for the rebound|magazine=Modern Railways |date=July 2021 |pages=52–58}} 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.{{cite magazine |title=GTR to GWR |magazine=The Railway Magazine |issue=1445 |date=August 2021 |page=94}}

Great Western Railway inherited a fleet of InterCity 125 sets (Class 43 power cars and Mark 3 Coaches) 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.

File:Oxford - GWR 800301 London service.JPG

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 {{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 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.{{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}}

File:Tiverton Parkway - GWR 802110 Plymouth service.JPG

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 Class 802 trains, the first of which was introduced on 20 August 2018.{{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}}

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.

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.{{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}}

File:St Philip's Marsh - GWR 57603.JPG]]

Four Class 57/6 locomotives have hauled the Night Riviera sleeper services since 2004 when they replaced Class 47s.{{cite magazine |title=First FGW Class 57s named |magazine=Rail |issue=498 |date=13 October 2004 |page=65}} Due to poor availability of the 57/6s, Direct Rail Services (DRS) Class 57/3s have been hired from Direct Rail Services.{{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}} in 2023, former DRS 57312 was placed on permanent lease with GWR.{{cite magazine |title=DRS reshuffles ahead of Class 37 and 57 departures |magazine=Rail Express |issue=326 |date=July 2013 |page=16}}

File:General Railway Pictures 2017 496.jpg

The {{BRC|165}} "Networker Turbo" is a two- or three-coach DMU originally used on shorter-distance services in the Thames Valley area, with many still based at Reading Traction Maintenance Depot. In this area, 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. Many are 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 began operating services between Cardiff Central and Portsmouth Harbour too, in tandem with the Class 166 fleet.

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.{{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 }} This refurbishment started in September 2016.

File:166205 at Bristol Temple Meads.jpg

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 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.

File:Reading - GWR 387132+387143 Didcot service.JPG

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 Heathrow Express. Services using the class were extended to Maidenhead in May 2017{{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}} and later to Didcot Parkway,{{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}} 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 {{BRC|332}},{{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}} entering service on 29 December 2020.

In 2023 3 units were cascaded to Great Northern.

File:Stapleton Road - GWR 43094-43194 Castle Class to Cardiff Central.JPG 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.{{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}} 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.{{Cite magazine |date=4 September 2024 |title=Ex-Transport for Wales Class 175s heading to Great Western Railway? |magazine=RAIL |issue=1017 |pages=18}} 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.{{cite magazine |title=GWR to retain 11 HSTs for local services |magazine=Today's Railways UK |issue=181 |date=January 2017 |page=67}} 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,{{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}} 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){{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}} 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 {{stnlink|Hayes & Harlington}} to the west of England,{{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 }} 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.{{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}}

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.{{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}}

GWR's High Speed Train fleet were refurbished by Bombardier in Derby and Ilford between 2006 and 2008,{{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}} 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.

File:Powederham - GWR 150202 Paignton train.JPG

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 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.

File:GWR 158956 02.jpg

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.{{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}} 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.{{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 }} However, following their operations largely being taken over by Class 165 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,{{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 }} 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.{{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}}

In 2018, the 158s began running alongside the first completed Class 255 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 Tarka Line to Barnstaple, with some of the units also working on the {{rws|Cardiff|Central}} / Bristol to Penzance route alongside the Castle sets.{{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 }}

In October 2020, Arriva TrainCare completed a refurbishment of the Class 158 fleet in line with the C6 exam at their Bristol Barton Hill depot. This included: full interior and exterior repaint, and rebrand to new GWR corporate colours, installation of new air conditioning system and heaters and overhauling the seating and flooring. In addition, a new passenger information system was installed as well as new toilet systems.{{cite web|title=Class 158 Refurbishment – Arriva TrainCare|url=https://www.arrivatc.com/portfolio/class-158-refurbishment/|date=3 October 2020|publisher=Arriva TrainCare|accessdate=11 March 2025}}

| rowspan="2" |2017{{ndash}}2018

|-

| 14

| 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" | Night Riviera

|57

|File:St Philip's Marsh - GWR 57603.JPG

|Diesel locomotive

| 95

| 152

| 5

| 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 Night Riviera sets for London Paddington – Penzance sleeper service

}}

| 1964–1967 (Rebuild: 1998{{ndash}}2004)

|-

| Mark 3

| File:Exeter St Davids - GWR Mk3 BFO 17173.JPG

| Passenger coach

| 110

| 177

| 20

| 1975{{ndash}}1988

|-

! scope="col" colspan="9" | Shunting locomotives

!

|-

| {{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}}

| 08

| File:Old Oak Common - GWR 08836 running up through the yard.JPG

| Shunting locomotive

| 15

| 24

| 8

| n/a

| Stock movements in depots

| 1952{{ndash}}1962

|-

|}

{{notelist}}

{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

File:NVA 96603 at Penzance.jpg

Locomotive-hauled trains were in use on services between Cardiff, Bristol, Taunton and Paignton from December 2008 until November 2010 using Virgin Trains {{BRC|57}} locomotives with Mark 2 coaching stock. A second set hauled by EWS {{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.{{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}} 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.{{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 }} 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 {{BRC|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 {{BRC|143|cs}} 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 {{BRC|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 {{BRC|180}} Adelante units, operating on the Great Western Main Line, but following technical issues they were transferred elsewhere.{{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}}{{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}} 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.{{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}}{{cite magazine |title = Grand Central to replace HSTs with cascaded Class 180s |magazine = Rail |issue = 842 |date = 20 December 2017 |page = 29}}

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,{{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 }} and ending in April 2018.{{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.}} 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.{{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}}

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 {{BRC|230}}.{{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}}{{cite magazine |title=GWR takes ownership of former Vivarail D78 stock |magazine=The Railway Magazine |issue=1467 |date=June 2023 |page=90}} 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.{{cite magazine |last=Clinnick|first=Richard|title=Class 175s set for Great Western Railway|department=Headline News| magazine= Rail Express |issue=340|date=September 2024|page=14}} 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.{{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=Rail Magazine|date=4 November 2024|url-access= registration}} On 27 November 2024, 175002 was the first Class 175 unit to transfer to GWR.{{cite magazine|last=Russell|first=David|title=GWR takes delivery of its first Class 175|department=Units|magazine=Rail Express|issue=344|date= January 2025|page=24}}

File:GWr 769959.jpg

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,{{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 }} 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 {{brc|387}} units were modified for Heathrow Express 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 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.{{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 }}

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.{{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}} The Class 769 was expected to enter squadron service with GWR between June and December 2021,{{cite magazine |title=GWR aims for 2021 'Flex' introduction |magazine=Rail Express |date=May 2021 |page=26 }} 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.{{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 }}

{{multiple image

| align =

| direction = vertical

| width =

| image1 = 43005 Reading 2004.png

| caption1 = HST 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

| caption2 = A 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.tauntontrains.co.uk/oldsite/HST.htm|title= HST| website=Taunton Trains|access-date=3 June 2019}} 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.{{cite magazine |title= First Great Western rebrands its HSTs |magazine= Rail Magazine |issue=360 |date= 30 June 1999 |page=14 |location= Peterborough}} This livery was sometimes known as the 'fag packet' livery.{{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}}

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.{{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 }}

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.{{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}}

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

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.{{citation needed|date=April 2023}}

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.{{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}}{{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}} A new contract was agreed on 30 March 2020, running for three years, extendable to four.{{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}}

• Great Western Railway, a railway company that existed from 1833 to 1948
• Western Region of British Railways The nationalised division of British Rail from 1948 to 1992

{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

{{commons}}

• {{Official website}}

{{s-start}}

{{s-bef|before=InterCity
As part of British Rail}}

{{s-ttl|title=Operator of Great Western franchise|years=1996{{ndash}}2006}}

{{s-aft|after=First Great Western
Greater Western franchise}}

{{s-bef|before=First Great Western
Great Western franchise}}

{{s-ttl|rows=3|title=Operator of Greater Western franchise

|years=2006{{ndash}}2028}}

{{s-inc|rows=3}}

|-

{{s-bef|before=First Great Western Link
Thames franchise}}

|-

{{s-bef|before=Wessex Trains
Wessex franchise}}

{{s-end}}

{{UK TOCs|current|state=collapsed}}

{{Transport in London}}

{{Transport in Cardiff}}

{{FirstGroup}}

Category:FirstGroup railway companies

Category:Great Western Main Line

Category:Railway companies established in 1996

Category:Train operating companies in the United Kingdom

Category:1996 establishments in England