This is the story of First Great Western, the train operating company whose performance rose from being the worst for a long distance operator in the UK to one of the best in a few years. Its passengers felt so disgruntled they even organized a fares strike. The Department for Transport became so disillusioned that it issued a remedial notice plan, the first step to a holder losing its franchise, before a new management team kick-started the franchise back into life. In First Great Western: Gateway to the West, author and renowned railway specialist John Balmforth discovers how this iconic and award-winning train operator survived after coming so close to losing its franchise. See photographs of the only Pullman Dining service and the Paddington, the Penzance sleeper train. Learn what goes on at one of its main traction maintenance depots and how new life was breathed into rolling stock old enough to be considered railway heritage. Also, find out how electrification of the Great Western Main Line will improve passenger services and cut journey times.

About the Author

John Balmforth is a retired professional railway man who has continued a lifelong interest in the railways as the author of five successful books published by Ian Allan Publishing: Virgin Trains - A Decade of Progress (2007), GNER - The Route of the Flying Scotsman (2008), Virgin Atlantic (2009), South West Trains (2011) and Virgin Trains - From HST to Pendolino (2012). Previously, Balmforth was Deputy Chair of the Statutory Rail Passengers Committee for the Midlands where he was the author of a number of reports published by the RPC on railways.

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