21 YEARS OF 19962017 A STAGECOACH GROUP PUBLICATION IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MODERN RAILWAYS MODERN RAILWAYS EDITION 001_SWT Supplement_cover_MR edition.indd 1 03/08/2017 16:01 CREATING DESIRE Understanding and respecting train architecture - its rhythms, resonances, form and function - is the first step to creating a stunning livery. For over 30 years Our designs accentuate the personality that lies within the architecture of Best Impressions has been ahead of any vehicle. Livery and form then have the curve when it comes to redefining how natural sympathy and, brought together public transport is presented, perceived and sold. through good design, communicate far more effectively. We have created commanding brands, produced Add in our unbridled passion, clear vision, award-winning advertising and marketing campaigns, effervescent enthusism and in-depth powerful corporate identities, stylish interiors and understanding of the South West Trains designed so many drop-dead-gorgeous liveries brand, and you can see how our use of full-on, bold, primary colours balanced . as progressive operators keep discovering. with outrageous, sexy curves has given these commuter trains - and other rolling stock types in the South West Trains’ fleet - a vibrant, contemporary, stylish tilt. 15 STARFIELD ROAD LONDON W12 9SN 020 8740 6443 [email protected] BRANDING LIVERY INTERIOR MARKETING DIGITAL BestImpressions_FP.inddBI-SWT.ad.indd 1 1 03/08/2017 09:3305:52 21 YEARS OF 5 STEAM, SOUTHERN ELECTRIC AND NETWORK SOUTHEAST 21 YEARS OF The history of the South Western prior to SWT 19962017 7 21YEAR TIME TEAM A STAGECOACH GROUP PUBLICATION IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MODERN RAILWAYS The story of Stagecoach’s tenure at South West Trains 10 MORE AND LONGER TRAINS Focus on the South Western capacity expansion programme 13 WHAT HAS CHANGED IN 21 YEARS? Improvements to stations and trains have been a key feature of Stagecoach’s operation 16 THE VIEW FROM THE TOP Current and former SWT managing directors reflect on the past 21 years Cover images: SWT photo library and PaulBigland. 20 SOUTH WEST TRAINS BY DESIGN Published by Key Publishing Ltd. Registered Office: A look at the SWT identity as displayed on trains and at stations Units 1-4 Gwash Way Industrial Estate, Ryhall Road, Stamford, Lincolnshire PE9 1XP 22 SWT MASTERS OF THE EVERYDAY RAILWAY Editor: Ken Cordner Modern Railways Industry and Technology Editor Roger Ford recalls what made SWT so successful Design: Matt Chapman Contributors: Ken Cordner and Tony Miles Business Development Manager: David Lane 26 THE STAKEHOLDER VIEW Many thanks to all those at South West Trains who Key stakeholders and suppliers reflect on the SWT story so generously provided help andmaterial. Photos from South West Trains photo library or ascredited. 29 INVESTING IN COMMUNITIES © Key Publishing Ltd 2017. All rights reserved. No part of Stagecoach and South West Trains have together made an important contribution to the local community this magazine may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage 32 RINGING THE CHANGES and retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the copyright owner. Multiple copying of the contents of the SWT staff reflect on Stagecoach’s 21-year tenure magazine without prior written approval is not permitted. A STAGECOACH GROUP PUBLICATION IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MODERN RAILWAYS 3 003_SWT Supplement_contents.indd 3 03/08/2017 15:36 21 YEARS OF A whole new fleet of trains was rolled out in the early days of the franchise. PAUL BIGLAND THANK YOU TO ALL OUR STAFF, CUSTOMERS, STAKEHOLDERS AND PARTNERS t’s impossible to have a relationship investment in new ticketing systems. improvement works at Waterloo, which passed on their kind wishes and good of more than 20 years in any walk We’ve also delivered some real industry will really transform this railway. memories of the last 21 years. This is of life and not want to look back and innovations on our South West Trains There’s no question we’ve also real testament to our 5,000-strong I team of employees who work hard reflect on what has been achieved. In the network, being the first train operator had our challenges, particularly as case of Stagecoach South West Trains, to roll out smart ticketing and more the infrastructure on the network has day in, day out, to deliver a great the list of achievements over more than recently the innovative virtual ticket struggled to cope with the increasing service. They have transformed our two decades is incredible. That’s why I machines and dedicated contact centre. demand for rail travel. But our focus railway for our customers - and I know wanted to pay tribute to our fantastic staff, South West Trains has become one has remained on improving services that this dedication and commitment customers, stakeholders and the partners of the largest and busiest franchises in for our passengers and I’m confident will continue into the new franchise. who have worked with us to make South the whole of Europe, contributing more we’re leaving the franchise in a very And so comes the time for us to sign West Trains such a great company. to the taxpayer than any other and good place to hand over to the new off from South West Trains and to move I am very proud of what we have playing a critical role in the economy. owners. We wish First and MTR onto new ventures. It’s truly been a achieved at South West Trains over the We’ve successfully run services through all the very best for the future. pleasure and we will look back fondly past two decades as the UK’s longest periods of great change, becoming I joined Stagecoach in 1997, just on our time in this franchise. Thank running train operator. The franchise the first London operator to phase out a year after we took responsibility for you to everybody who has supported today has more trains than ever before, Mark 1 slam door trains and roll out South West Trains. So having been us, and to our team I would like to double the number of passengers a whole new fleet of trains in the early involved directly with the business for the wish you every success in the future. travelling, and one of the most reliable days of the franchise. We created the vast majority of the franchise, the 20th fleets of trains in the country. We have first integrated control centre at Waterloo August will be an emotional day for made significant investment in improving and set up the UK’s first deep joint me personally. I have been heartened the service for customers and spent Alliance with Network Rail to bring by the numerous letters we’ve had MARTIN GRIFFITHS millions on transforming stations with together train and track. More recently, from regular customers, stakeholders Chief Executive extra car parks, cycle spaces and we’ve helped drive forward the major and others in the industry who have Stagecoach Group 4 A STAGECOACH GROUP PUBLICATION IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MODERN RAILWAYS 004_SWT Supplement_intros.indd 4 03/08/2017 15:37 21 YEARS OF STEAM, SOUTHERN ELECTRIC AND NETWORK SOUTHEAST A LOOK BACK AT THE HISTORY OF THE SOUTH WESTERN RAIL NETWORK OVER 180 YEARS he backbone of the South route through Bournemouth was from the all-steam railway of a few By 1938, 100 years after its first Western rail network was completed more than 20 years later. decades before. Electric trains had trains ran, passenger business was the built almost 180 years their motors in the passenger carriages most important for the South Western, T but the railways were still the biggest ago – its big aim at first was to WATERLOO and picked up electricity from a third carry cargo between London In 1848 a new terminus at Waterloo rail. The ‘Southern Electrics’ brand movers of all kinds of goods. The and the port of Southampton. Road was opened, reached by name was built around frequent, railway developed Southampton docks The London and Southampton a line climbing past Nine Elms efficient services, good publicity and over several decades to handle freight Railway’s first stretch, from London to and curving around Vauxhall local landmark stations. Suburbs traffic, as well as transatlantic liner Woking, opened in May 1838. One Gardens and Lambeth Palace. developed around its lines. ships. In this age before the jet plane, of the special trains, cheered on by In an exciting story involving rival Then in 1937 the first main line was Ocean Liner express trains carried thousands of people, reached almost commercial schemes and propaganda, electrified – the ‘Portsmouth Direct’ transatlantic passengers to and from 30mph on the return trip to the London the London & South Western opened line, whose steep hills were difficult for the docks. Other high profile expresses terminus at Nine Elms, Vauxhall. new, more direct routes to Portsmouth steam locomotives. The main line was included the premium ‘Bournemouth The company called itself and Salisbury, and Exeter was modernised in London, with a new Belle’ Pullman train, and the ‘Atlantic the London & South Western reached in 1860. It was ambitious in flyover at Wimbledon to sort out flows Coast Express’ to the West Country. Railway from 1839, and reached expanding into Devon and Cornwall of suburban and main line trains. Named after heroes, the ‘Lord Nelson’ Southampton in 1840. Over the and its main line round Dartmoor and ‘King Arthur’ steam locomotives next 10 years it set to work to justify reached Plymouth in 1890. NEW WATERLOO powered the South Western expresses. its grand title by spreading to serve Closer to London, most of The largest station in Britain, the Gosport (for Portsmouth), Salisbury today’s outer suburban network stylish new Waterloo, opened and Dorchester.