Local news announced the five bidders for this franchise: Stagecoach, First, National Express, Deutsche bahn and Renfe.

Rumor has it that first wanted to negotiate a better deal and thats why they decided to pull out, now they've resubmitted a bid that favours them. My money says that first will get back the work because there will be less red tape and less disruption to the commuters....

Although if DB got it I would love to see the HST's repainted all over bright red! 

I wouldn't wish National Express on anyone.  NXEA have been a shambles.  Abelio haven't exactly made a good start this week, lots of 4 coach trains where there should have been 12, but seems to be improving as the snow melts...

Can't see DB getting it, that would raise a bit of a stink as it would mean they owned both the local and mainline train services in South Wales *and* the main bus routes. I have a feeling the others would threaten to lob it into the competition commission and derail the whole thing if they did.


Alan

So would Stagecoach be ruled out on the same basis e.g. SWT, bus routes etc? However if they got it, it might force Dapol/Farish to make SWT liveried items. As DB own XC, Chiltern etc it would be interesting to see what liveries they came up with. As has been said, there aren't many all red liveries now (not including the SWT suburban route)

Hope the criteria include the most important reason - that it has to be FGW as I am running FGW HSTs on my layout!!

Thinking purely of vinyl sales, I'm really hoping it goes to *anyone* except First! 

Having SWT (stand while travelling ) take over would be interesting in the south west. A southern based operator already running third rail services taking over the GWR route. They could downgrade it and run more services Waterloo-Exeter..

Revenge is supposed to be a dish best served cold

Alan