GWR (current TOC) named trains

[Western Sunset]

Was at Westbury yesterday and the 0938 Padd - Paignton was announced over the PA as "The Torbay Express".

Has GW revived some named trains now?

 

[Fidelis]

Yes they have on the Oxford -Hereford they have reinstated "The Cathedrals Express" dropped in June 1965, ex HFD 05.23 return ex PAD 17.34and the "Cotswolds and "Malvern Express" ex PAD 09.52 and return ex HFD 17.34

 

[Envoy]

But are the names actually appearing on the electronic screens at stations & on the trains?

 

[paulwestwood]

But are the names actually appearing on the electronic screens at stations & on the trains?

Not down in the Southwest there not, just announced by the Station Announcements only.

 

[TPO]

We still have the Red Dragon (to/from Carmarthen).

Not sure whether the Bristolian, Mayflower and Capitals United names are used any more, certainly they were in use just prior to COVID.

TPO.

 

[hexagon789]

Not sure whether the Bristolian, Mayflower and Capitals United names are used any more

All still appear in GWR's own timetables along with several other names.

 

[Parallel]

We still have the Red Dragon (to/from Carmarthen).

Not sure whether the Bristolian, Mayflower and Capitals United names are used any more, certainly they were in use just prior to COVID.

TPO.

I heard "The Capitals United" being announced at Swindon on Friday, so would estimate GWR have returned to using the compliment they previously did in the 2010s.

 

[aar0]

Yes, Capitals United (0559 (ish)) from Swansea to London is named - but not at Welsh stations

 

[Doctor Fegg]

Yes they have on the Oxford -Hereford they have reinstated "The Cathedrals Express" dropped in June 1965, ex HFD 05.23 return ex PAD 17.34and the "Cotswolds and "Malvern Express" ex PAD 09.52 and return ex HFD 17.34

The Cathedrals Express was still used for a pair of HST services on the Cotswold Line until a few years ago. The Cotswold & Malvern Express hasn’t been used since (I think) the early 00s - it was once a BR, then GWT, daytime HST working, but GWT eventually subbed it out to Thames Trains to be worked by a Turbo.

 

[Condor7]

Was at Westbury yesterday and the 0938 Padd - Paignton was announced over the PA as "The Torbay Express".

Has GW revived some named trains now?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 3 Feb 2025 ==

Named Trains In The UK 2024

Back in 2020 I published on this forum an up to date list on the then current named (or titled) trains that ran in the UK. Providing a complete and accurate list is very time consuming. There is of course a list on Wikipedia and it makes a valiant attempt to list all named trains ever in the...

www.railforums.co.uk

As you will see from the link above, I posted last June and the trains you mentioned are included. The GWR along with several other train companies dropped the Named/Titled trains during the Covid pandemic but reinstated them last year.

 

[Seagull2006]

I've heard 'Cheltenham Spa express' mentioned on the announcements at Gloucester back in January

 

[The exile]

We still have the Red Dragon (to/from Carmarthen).

Not sure whether the Bristolian, Mayflower and Capitals United names are used any more, certainly they were in use just prior to COVID.

TPO.

The up Bristolian is certainly announced as such.

 

[Jimini]

I've heard the 'Merchant Venturer' announced at Swindon before, maybe back in 2020/2021.

 

[Wilts Wanderer]

I've head the 'Merchant Venturer' announced at Swindon before, maybe back in 2020/2021.

Funnily enough that one isn’t coming back, due to its slavery trade connotations.

 

[Jimini]

Funnily enough that one isn’t coming back, due to its slavery trade connotations.

Cheers for the reply. It has at least drawn my attention to my typo (head vs. heard) and given me the opportunity to correct it in my original post

 

[Envoy]

Yes, Capitals United (0559 (ish)) from Swansea to London is named - but not at Welsh stations

That’s appalling - names such as The Red Dragon, The Welshman and Capitals United not being used at Welsh stations because Transport for Wales think GWR is nothing to do with them. Hopefully they will be replaces by Great British Railways to manage stations in Wales.

 

[Ashley Hill]

Do named trains mean anything to the general public these days? It’s not like they carry headboards or even decorative window labels anymore and are no more comfortable than any other IET. Only a handful have dining and many with their calling patterns can hardly be described as express trains. When I started on the railway the Golden Hind was one of the untouchable trains,delay the Hind at your peril! Now it’s just another London service that’s delayed like every other train.

 

[westernpunk]

Do named trains mean anything to the general public these days? It’s not like they carry headboards or even decorative window labels anymore and are no more comfortable than any other IET. Only a handful have dining and many with their calling patterns can hardly be described as express trains. When I started on the railway the Golden Hind was one of the untouchable trains,delay the Hind at your peril! Now it’s just another London service that’s delayed like every other train.

yes it was the train the westcountry mps used, during the mid 70s it went through s spell with class 50s failing, questions were asked in parliament, wr responded by using pairs of 50s to improve reliability.
seem to remember a lot was made of it being timed for 1 mon under 3 hours ply -padd or vice versa

 

[aar0]

Do named trains mean anything to the general public these days? It’s not like they carry headboards or even decorative window labels anymore and are no more comfortable than any other IET. Only a handful have dining and many with their calling patterns can hardly be described as express trains. When I started on the railway the Golden Hind was one of the untouchable trains,delay the Hind at your peril! Now it’s just another London service that’s delayed like every other train.

As a regular on Capitals United I certainly mutter “don’t let the stopper in front, this is Capitals United dammit!” as required. But I don’t think it makes much difference