GWR Uniform Launch

[BestWestern]

Morning all

Not the most important event to shake the industry this year admittedly, but for those travelling from Paddington and around the west today is the launch date for GWR's new corporate clothing. All staff should be duly dressed in it as of now; the long serving blue and pink of FGW takes a further step back (now it survives 'only' on almost every train in the fleet! ).

It's a very classic look, matching the general idea behind the GWR identity so far. How the paying passengers perceive it will be interesting to see.

 

[Monty]

Any links to see what it looks like mate? We have new uniform due to be issued shortly but as far as I am aware the changes are much more conservative than the FGW/GWR rebrand.

 

[ScouserGirl]

The uniform is so smart I like the suits on the men

 

[BestWestern]

Any links to see what it looks like mate? We have new uniform due to be issued shortly but as far as I am aware the changes are much more conservative than the FGW/GWR rebrand.

Have a look on the website, bound to be some stock pics. Green jackets and waistcoats, dark grey trousers, teal or green/white check shirts. Branded brass buttons & belts, pockets and collars on the waistcoats, quite a smart look.
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The uniform is so smart I like the suits on the men

I'll get some of the good looking ones to PM you selfies!

Seriously though it does look smart. The dresses also make the ladies look very sophisticated too!

 

[ComUtoR]

You can google it.

http://www.railpro.co.uk/news/new-gwr-uniform-unveiled

Which one is the Drivers uniform ?

 

[Sprinter153]

It's pretty but not the most practical.
Try wearing one of the dresses with safety boots, or for that matter climbing out of an HST down to track level! One almost has to powder another set of cheeks

 

[ScouserGirl]

You can google it.

http://www.railpro.co.uk/news/new-gwr-uniform-unveiled

Which one is the Drivers uniform ?

The drivers don't stand out now like they did with the blue shirts they are in the same uniform or they have the option off polo shirts and cargo pants

 

[LowLevel]

Any links to see what it looks like mate? We have new uniform due to be issued shortly but as far as I am aware the changes are much more conservative than the FGW/GWR rebrand.

From what I understand as yours is the same as ours to the point where we get issued with SWT or Island Line branded stuff when ours is running low, it's basically a new coat and one or two other small changes!

 

[Blindtraveler]

I hope to goodness they have got a few basics like cut and sizing right, particularly for the women as one of the most regularly overheard complaints from traincrewe by me is how unsuitable and unfit for purpose their uniforms are

 

[northwichcat]

The woman in the photo is probably less slim than either of the two men she is with. I don't think they should have got her to wear bright red lipstick though.

 

[driver_m]

The woman in the photo is probably less slim than either of the two men she is with. I don't think they should have got her to wear bright red lipstick though.

What's her size got to do with anything? If a bloke said that there'd be uproar.

 

[ComUtoR]

What's her size got to do with anything? If a bloke said that there'd be uproar.

Then let me say it.

Uniform isn't designed for people who don't conform to the normal shape. I doubt that there will be many Drivers who will be wearing the waistcoats.

Us chubbies will have difficulty with a waistcoat. A shame really as I used to rock a 3 piece pretty well.

*edit* cheers scousegirl o/

 

[northwichcat]

What's her size got to do with anything? If a bloke said that there'd be uproar.

Blindtraveller seemed to be referencing uniforms not being cut right for female employees, presumably because they are cut for the slim Virgin style models.

 

[BestWestern]

From what I understand as yours is the same as ours to the point where we get issued with SWT or Island Line branded stuff when ours is running low, it's basically a new coat and one or two other small changes!

It's a whole new uniform, total rebrand from GWR. Drivers can indeed have the casual option of cargo trousers and polo shirt, or the smart option as per the Guards and everybody else.

 

[Domh245]

ISTR 455driver moaning talking about how he was soon going to be forbidden from wearing his favourite style of jacket with the introduction of (what I am presuming was) this uniform.

 

[timbo58]

Reminds me of the old GWT uniform from years back.
I hope they haven't got the bloody ridiculous long overcoat -most operational staff swapped back to the blue BR waterproof within weeks.

We thought that was poor quality until FGW took over with their 5 shirts max ('what if you're rostered work 6 or 7 days?' we asked fruitlessly) buttons that fell off frequently, stitched up pockets (to make them look nice) and itchy trousers.

The intercity uniform was far superior IMHO.

Fashion world? good god, don't the powers that be know these are people that have to work for a living?

 

[driver_m]

Blindtraveller seemed to be referencing uniforms not being cut right for female employees, presumably because they are cut for the slim Virgin style models.

I read that. The uniforms have typically caused both sexes bother at some point. Looking at some of the previous disasters worn in early and current privatisation, it's not just train fleets that should have standardised appearances but us too. FNW's technicolor disaster, our early pink effort for all non drivers, and that shiny green mess that midland mainline had. Grim...

 

[Blindtraveler]

Blindtraveller seemed to be referencing uniforms not being cut right for female employees, presumably because they are cut for the slim Virgin style models.

correct, esp if its a dress! That being said however blokes can and do habe problems too - I spent 4 years in a job where the blokes uniform trousers were consistantly too tight around the crotch no matter how many sizes one went up.

I remember talking to a trolley stuardesse on Scotrail just after first brought catering in house and she had the opposit problem, all the uniform was huuuuge on her

 

[backontrack]

I read that. The uniforms have typically caused both sexes bother at some point. Looking at some of the previous disasters worn in early and current privatisation, it's not just train fleets that should have standardised appearances but us too. FNW's technicolor disaster, our early pink effort for all non drivers, and that shiny green mess that midland mainline had. Grim...

I wonder what that looked like...

 

[D1009]

I read that. The uniforms have typically caused both sexes bother at some point. Looking at some of the previous disasters worn in early and current privatisation, it's not just train fleets that should have standardised appearances but us too. FNW's technicolor disaster, our early pink effort for all non drivers, and that shiny green mess that midland mainline had. Grim...

The one I always remember was the Connex canary yellow.

 

[cf111]

I think it's very smart.

The new ScotRail uniform is nice too, very pleasing shade of blue.

 

[HowardGWR]

Right, here are a few personal views. The new GWR uniforms are OK. It was a good idea to model them with what were clearly real people. Only two of the 10 were very good looking, IIRC, so a reasonable proportion. Including multi racial was an obvious but well-chosen plan. A well thought-out presentation.

I think that sober, smart, imposing suits are best for drivers and train staff . They should exude authority and trustworthiness. Notice I didn't mention sex. Women should be able to choose between 'Merkel' jacket and trousers or skirts and shorter jacket and blouse.

I do think staff should be encouraged not to be obese, but that is for their own good, as well as for those two qualities I mentioned. Staff who lean over to serve food should not have clothing that shews their rears. The old BR pullman-type bum freezer jackets were particularly off-putting.

 

[380101]

The new ScotRail uniform is nice too, very pleasing shade of blue.

It might look "nice" but it is terrible. Quality is poor and the company, despite them asking us what we would like, ignored our suggestions on the whole and brought in the cheapest and nastiest they could find. The drivers jackets are terrible with poor quality zips and Velcro.

I could go on, but I don't have enough time in the world to list the failures with the new uniforms.

 

[455driver]

ISTR 455driver moaning talking about how he was soon going to be forbidden from wearing his favourite style of jacket with the introduction of (what I am presuming was) this uniform.

Yep, I have been wearing smart trousers, shirt, tie and Harrington jacket since I passed out as a driver <cough> years ago, GWR have now decided that the Harrington must only be worn with the 'casual' look of polo shirt and combat trousers,if I want to wear a shirt and tie then I have to wear the suit jacket.

They have decided that it is two distinct uniforms which cannot be mixed and matched and if you dont comply you will be given lines, if you still fail to comply then you will be given detention!

Oh and because they have decided to stitch a pen area into the shirt pocket you cant fit your schedule card in there any more.
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It might look "nice" but it is terrible. Quality is poor and the company, despite them asking us what we would like, ignored our suggestions on the whole and brought in the cheapest and nastiest they could find. The drivers jackets are terrible with poor quality zips and Velcro.

I could go on, but I don't have enough time in the world to list the failures with the new uniforms.

Dont mention the 'brass' buttons on the blazers which are actually plastic backed and held on with the flimsiest thread possible, I know three staff who have lost buttons, not bad on the first day!

 

[Rich McLean]

Yep, I have been wearing smart trousers, shirt, tie and Harrington jacket since I passed out as a driver <cough> years ago, GWR have now decided that the Harrington must only be worn with the 'casual' look of polo shirt and combat trousers,if I want to wear a shirt and tie then I have to wear the suit jacket.

They have decided that it is two distinct uniforms which cannot be mixed and matched or you will be given lines, if you still fail to comply then you will be given detention!

Oh and because they have decided to stitch a pen area into the shirt pocket you cant fit your schedule card in there any more.
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Dont mention the 'brass' buttons on the blazers which are actually plastic backed and held on with the flimsiest thread possible, I know three staff who have lost buttons, not bad on the first day!

It sounds like drivers like yourself have been "Stitched up" in that respect, when it comes down to uniform choices.

I am glad I moved when I did

 

[VP185]

I wore the shirt and tie with the Harrington jacket today as did others, not a word was mentioned to us by an managers. It's all due to be reviewed shortly anyway.

 

[HowardGWR]

I wore the shirt and tie with the Harrington jacket today as did others, not a word was mentioned to us by an managers. It's all due to be reviewed shortly anyway.

OK (had to look up what a Harrington is) perhaps for a freightliner or ballast train from some obscure yard, but not good enough for a 125. IMO.

 

[cf111]

It might look "nice" but it is terrible. Quality is poor and the company, despite them asking us what we would like, ignored our suggestions on the whole and brought in the cheapest and nastiest they could find. The drivers jackets are terrible with poor quality zips and Velcro.

I could go on, but I don't have enough time in the world to list the failures with the new uniforms.

A shame, you should be getting good clothes to go to work in if your employer is providing them.

 

[Mojo]

I must say how smart I think the new GWR uniform looks. I saw a man across the platform at Bristol Parkway the other week with a nice green suit jacket complete with what looked like brass buttons. It was only when I recognised his bag did I realise he was the train driver; he looked like a businessman on his way to a very important meeting!

 

[tsr]

I must say how smart I think the new GWR uniform looks. I saw a man across the platform at Bristol Parkway the other week with a nice green suit jacket complete with what looked like brass buttons. It was only when I recognised his bag did I realise he was the train driver; he looked like a businessman on his way to a very important meeting!

Seeing as you've put this thread back in our collective consciousness, I wanted to ask a quick question about the uniform, now it's summer (or "summer", depending on location!). This is for any GWR uniform wearers out there. I don't think I've asked it before!

The appearance of the GWR uniform made me think it looked very warm, especially with the intermediate waistcoat layer for suit wearers. I work at another company, and tend to do a lot of running around trains and stations - and so, with regards myself and a number of colleagues, we reduce our TOC uniform down to a bare minimum of shirt/tie or blouse and trousers/skirt from Spring through to mid-Autumn - just adding HV clothing on top as needed, or maybe a jacket if it's raining. So is it bearable to wear the full jacket/waistcoat on top at GWR, is it something that's strongly recommended, and how is the material coping with summertime weather? It's a little bit of a bugbear of mine that I look rather less smart between the months of March and October because my suit jackets and suchlike are way too warm, but have GWR got something more breathable?