Wanting to give a brand name to a signature product is fine, even if there's no real logic to the name. Doing so for a service which cannot have direct competition due to the way railways work is a little odd. Doing so on the most bland, soulless iteration of a standardised commuter train is just downright bizarre, especially when it's a brand for a franchise that will no doubt soon cease to exist, and that situation is known before the trains are introduced.
What I have noticed over the last few years (decade ?) is there seems to be an obsession with names starting and ending with "A", "E", "I" ,"O" and/or "U". Usually starting and ending with "A". Not necessarily only the railways do this. It seems to be a fashion. I think it is poncy show off. I switch off as soon as I see these names as I assume there is nothing interesting under the surface. It is only a name after all.
I really hope they don't do that. Nobody cares, there aren't even any other operators at Waterloo. It's just going to declarify audio announcements.
Desiro is only the name of the rolling stock though, not a branded service like Arterio. Otherwise they'd be referred to as Aventras.
There's a whole article about the Arterio as a product. Doesn't mean that they intend to advertise the train services themselves as Arterio to the same extent LNER have done with 'Azuma', but if you're vinylling a stylised version of your chosen name on the side of a fleet, it's definitely to some degree a branded service. You never saw that with the existing fleet.
Indeed, sometimes a name is useful to differentiate them from the rest of the fleet, in this case they can use Aventra.
Pendolino is fine in my opinion, it is a model name and is useful to differentiate from the Voyagers and apart from the announcements it isn't put everywhere. Apart from the announcements its only really used when they do need to differentiate between the two fleets.
The franchise is due to terminate in March, replaced by a two year direct award management contract extendable for up to two years.
Its more "it makes sense, but why?" as the name to me is pointless when it is just a train to most people.
To be fair, Dusty Bin is a reference to a game show, and Plastic Pig is an enthusiast's nickname based on their appearance. Neither were ever official names.
At least they picked a sensible number unlike the rest of the Aventras.
Not so sure SWR as a name will disappear. Are the government likely to go to the bother of creating a new identity if/when First/MTR bow out?
Another potential 'problem' with it might be during times of disruption, with jokes at their expense about clogged arteries.
First/MTR aren't going anywhere. There's no reason for them to now the slate has been wiped clean and they're about to start a new management contract with no revenue risk.
Agreed. The only way I see the name disappearing is if in future years there's a wholesale restructuring the contract areas with two or more being merged and even then the name could still remain for services out of Waterloo.
458/455/450 all sorts on the reading line currently.
707s as well on a fairly frequent basis.
The training of SWR drivers on 701s hasn’t even begun yet.
The latest news says entry into service "early summer assuming no further unexpected delays".
