19 November 2025

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6

expired franchise

replaced
< Regional Railways South Wales & West TOU (British Railways Board)

was replaced by
Wales & Borders >
Wessex Trains

start date
13 October 1996
end date
14 October 2001

owned by
National Express Group plc

legal title
Wales and West Passenger Trains Ltd

description
Originally known as South Wales and West, this franchise was awarded to Prism Rail. Prism was bought by National Express in 2000, but other changes to the franchise pattern resulted in a negotiated termination on 14 October 2001.

The Welsh routes became part of the shadow Wales & Borders franchise, while those in south and south west England formed a separate shadow contract, Wessex Trains.

service area
Regional (‘Alphaline’) services Manchester-South Wales, Birmingham, London Waterloo, Portsmouth Harbour, Exeter, Plymouth, Penzance. Local and branch line services in Bristol, Devon, Cornwall and South Wales.

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