(15 Aug 2019, 12:47 pm)8222 wrote

What's your thoughts?

My views on First are mixed - FCC was a disaster when I used them several times and FGW outside of London seemed to be bad; but the FGW I've used into and out of London has been fine.

They seem to be trying their best to modernise TransPennine which is good.

I'm glad to see the over-hyped, NHS suing Virgin brand disappearing from the network.

They did nothing for me, other than annoyed at their own PR spin - as seen on the ECML too.

I've used FGW quite a bit in and out of Paddington and on local stuff around Hampshire, Berkshire Oxfordshire and the Cotswolds and don't have any major issues with them. Others may say different.

I haven't used C2C since TrenItalia moved in on the Fenchurch St routes, so can't comment on ops there.

My first instinct is that Trenitalia are using the First brand to get a foothold on longer distance stuff within the UK.

However, I wonder if it is actually the other way round and First will be stealing one or two of the Italians ideas.