X-Nico

4 unusual facts about First Great Western


11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment

On 19 November 2010, in a ceremony at Didcot Parkway railway station, a High Speed Train locomotive, no. 43087 operated by First Great Western (FGW), was named 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment Royal Logistic Corps.

First Great Western

The Armada (London-Plymouth (and Penzance - Westbound on Fridays only))

The company also operate on the local routes and branch lines in Devon and Cornwall, such as the Looe, Newquay, Falmouth and St Ives branch lines in Cornwall; the Exmouth, Paignton and Barnstaple branch lines in Devon; the Gunnislake branch line, which borders both Devon and Cornwall.

Old Oak Common railway station

According to the proposals issued in 2010 by the Department for Transport (DfT), Old Oak Common would provide direct interchange between HS2 and Crossrail and Great Western Main Line services, including those operated by Heathrow Express and First Great Western.


Cholsey and Wallingford Railway

The original branch platform at Cholsey station is still available to the preserved railway, and trains connect here with First Great Western stopping services on the Great Western Main Line between Reading and Didcot stations.

Liskeard and Looe Railway

The line remains open for passenger traffic, which is (2013) operated by First Great Western under the brand name "The Looe Valley Line".

Newquay railway station

On summer Saturdays local services are replaced by First Great Western trains from London Paddington and CrossCountry trains from the North of England and the Scottish Lowlands, which do not stop at intermediate stations between Bodmin Parkway/Par and Newquay.

Paxman Valenta

The powercar will also receive installation of production Paxman Valenta RP200L engine Number S508 (installed new into 43153 in 2001 under Virgin CrossCountry, before re-installation to 43143 of First Great Western after a spell in storage), donated to the NRM from the MTU re-power programme.

Phil Sayer

His voice is currently used at many British railway stations; most notably Birmingham New Street, as well as almost the entire South West Trains and Southern networks, a number of stations on the First Great Western and Northern Rail networks, for the provision of announcements regarding train arrivals, departures and cancellations or delays, as well as general information for the travelling public.

Rosslare Europort

The Rosslare Harbour/Europort ferry connection using Stena Line to Fishguard Harbour and then by train operated by Arriva Trains Wales to Carmarthen, Swansea and Cardiff linking into First Great Western to Bristol Parkway, Reading and London Paddington.

St Philip's Marsh

Owned by Network Rail under depot code PM, it is leased to train operator First Great Western, and has been used since their introduction for the maintenance of InterCity 125 trains operating between London Paddington, Bristol and South Wales.

Torbay and Brixham Railway

This would be an extension of the First Great Western service over the Riviera Line from Exeter as far as Churston station on the Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway, which would then act as a railhead for Brixham.


see also

Rail services in Greater Bristol

It is served by local First Great Western services, and used by Cross-Country and Intercity trains headed towards Plymouth.

Thames Turbo

British Rail Class 166, a faster air conditioned variant of the 165 in service with First Great Western

British Rail Class 165, in service with both Chiltern Railways and First Great Western