Wales and West
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Franchise(s): | Wales & West 13 October 1996 - 13 October 2001 |
| Main region(s): | Wales, South West |
| Other region(s): | West Midlands, North West |
| National Rail abbreviation: | WW |
| Parent company: | Prism Rail |
Wales & West[1] was a train operating company in the United Kingdom owned by Prism Rail that operated the South Wales & West franchise from October 1996 until October 2001.
In July 2000 Prism Rail was purchased by National Express.[2][3]
Services
Originally privatized under the name South Wales and West Railway, the company operated the majority of its services in South Wales and the south west of England, providing a mixture of local and middle-distance services. Longer-distance services operated under the Alphaline brand provided regular links to North Wales and the north west of England, as well as to the South Coast and London Waterloo.[4]
Rolling stock
Wales & West inherited a fleet of Class 143, Class 150, Class 153 and Class 158s from British Rail. Wales & West also operated some 'different' trains on shorter services. Using four hired in Class 37/4s from EWS and Mark 2 carriages from West Coast Railway Company.[5]
| Class | Image | Type | Top speed | Built | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| mph | km/h | ||||
| Class 143 Pacer | 100px | Diesel multiple unit | 75 | 120 | 1985–1986 |
| Class 150 Sprinter | 100px | Diesel multiple unit | 75 | 120 | 1984–1987 |
| Class 153 Super Sprinter | 100px | Diesel multiple unit | 75 | 120 | 1987–1988 |
| Class 158 Express Sprinter | 100px | Diesel multiple unit | 90 | 145 | 1989–1992 |
Depot
Wales & West's fleet was maintained at Cardiff Canton and Exeter depots.
Enhancements
Wales & West carried out various enhancements to their Class 158 fleet including new carpets, revised seating layout and better air conditioning equipment.
Demise
In 2001 the Strategic Rail Authority decided to re-organise the South Wales & West and Valley Lines franchises, both being operated by National Express. Wales & West split into Wessex Trains and Wales & Borders. Wessex Trains has since become part of First Great Western and Wales & Borders Trains has become Arriva Trains Wales.
References
- ↑ Companies House extract company 3011029 Wales & West Passenger Trains Limited
- ↑ National Express buys Prism for £166m The Telegraph 19 July 2000
- ↑ National Express buys Prism for £166m The Guardian 19 July 2000
- ↑ Wales & West route map
- ↑ TeleRail
| Preceded by | Operator of Wales & West franchise 1996 - 2001 |
Succeeded by Wales & Borders Wales & Borders franchise |
| Succeeded by Wessex Trains Wessex Trains franchise |
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