Alphaline
Encyclopedia
Alphaline was a 1990s brand used by British Rail
to differentiate certain provincial express trains with enhanced passenger accommodation from general regional and middle-distance services operated by older rolling stock.
in the Midlands, Wales and the South West. These services linked various provincial towns and cities, complementing and connecting with the more prestigious InterCity
network.
Branding was applied specifically to services scheduled for operation by British Rail's recently-built Express Sprinter
or 'Class 158' trains. The association of a passenger-facing brand with a specific model of train was unusual, but reflected the significantly improved passenger facilities such trains provided when compared with the mainstay of the Regional Railways fleet.
Timetables advertised Alphaline services as providing:
Within the Regional Railways fleet of the early to mid 1990s, the latter two facilities were a rarity and available solely on Class 158 Express Sprinters.
and Wales and West
, the Alphaline brand has, since 2006, effectively died out. However, as recently as December 2008 it continued to appear in the key to symbols in the National Rail Timetable, despite no services in the timetable being branded as such.
brand.
used the Alphaline brand throughout its existence and went as far as applying the brand to the livery of their trains. Originally adding a vinyl
logo to the Express Sprinter colour scheme of their Class 158s, the company later introduced a silver livery that included a full-height Alphaline logo on the side of the carriage.
. As well as retaining Alphaline branding on existing routes, it also re-introduced the brand to the Cambrian Line
services that it took over from Central Trains
. This lasted until 2003, when the new franchise became known as Arriva Trains Wales
and Alphaline branding was quickly removed.
also retained the Alphaline brand. The company also continued to repaint newly-acquired Class 158 units in the silver Alphaline livery - although it changed the colour of doors from navy to maroon or purple in an attempt to distinguish itself from Wales and Borders Trains.
By late 2003, Wessex Trains was the only company continuing to use the Alphaline brand. The brand was finally dropped after the company was absorbed into the enlarged First Great Western
franchise in 2006.
British Rail
British Railways , which from 1965 traded as British Rail, was the operator of most of the rail transport in Great Britain between 1948 and 1997. It was formed from the nationalisation of the "Big Four" British railway companies and lasted until the gradual privatisation of British Rail, in stages...
to differentiate certain provincial express trains with enhanced passenger accommodation from general regional and middle-distance services operated by older rolling stock.
Origins
The Alphaline brand was introduced for express services operated by Regional RailwaysRegional Railways
Regional Railways was one of the three passenger sectors of British Rail created in 1982 that existed until 1996, 3 years after privatisation. The sector was originally called Provincial....
in the Midlands, Wales and the South West. These services linked various provincial towns and cities, complementing and connecting with the more prestigious InterCity
InterCity (British Rail)
InterCity was introduced by British Rail in 1966 as a brand-name for its long-haul express passenger services ....
network.
Branding was applied specifically to services scheduled for operation by British Rail's recently-built Express Sprinter
British Rail Class 158
British Rail Class 158 Express Sprinter is a diesel multiple-unit train, built for British Rail between 1989 and 1992 by BREL at its Derby Works. They were built to replace many locomotive-hauled passenger trains, and allowed cascading of existing Sprinter units to replace elderly 'heritage' DMUs...
or 'Class 158' trains. The association of a passenger-facing brand with a specific model of train was unusual, but reflected the significantly improved passenger facilities such trains provided when compared with the mainstay of the Regional Railways fleet.
Timetables advertised Alphaline services as providing:
- Reserved seats available
- At-seat trolley service of cold snacks, sandwiches and hot and cold drinks available for all or part of the journey
- British Telecom card phone
- Air-conditioning
Within the Regional Railways fleet of the early to mid 1990s, the latter two facilities were a rarity and available solely on Class 158 Express Sprinters.
Post-Privatisation
Although initially retained unchanged by both Central TrainsCentral Trains
Central Trains was one of the original 25 train operating companies to emerge from the break-up of British Rail between 1994 and 1997. The company operated local, urban and secondary express services across central England and Mid Wales.-Overview:...
and Wales and West
Wales and West
Wales & West was a British Train Operating Company that ran services from 1997 to 2001, and was one of the original 25 Train Operating Companies that were set up after the UK Rail Industry was privatised...
, the Alphaline brand has, since 2006, effectively died out. However, as recently as December 2008 it continued to appear in the key to symbols in the National Rail Timetable, despite no services in the timetable being branded as such.
Central Trains
In the early days of the franchise, Central Trains continued to mark express services as Alphaline within its timetables. By 2001 however, the brand had disappeared from timetables and the company went on to develop its own CitylinkCentral Citylink
Central Citylink was the brand name used from 2003 by Central Trains for their long distance services across the Midlands rail network. Citylink services were clearly distinguished in station announcements and timetables...
brand.
Wales and West
Wales and WestWales and West
Wales & West was a British Train Operating Company that ran services from 1997 to 2001, and was one of the original 25 Train Operating Companies that were set up after the UK Rail Industry was privatised...
used the Alphaline brand throughout its existence and went as far as applying the brand to the livery of their trains. Originally adding a vinyl
Vinyl
A vinyl compound is any organic compound that contains a vinyl group ,which are derivatives of ethene, CH2=CH2, with one hydrogen atom replaced with some other group...
logo to the Express Sprinter colour scheme of their Class 158s, the company later introduced a silver livery that included a full-height Alphaline logo on the side of the carriage.
Wales and Borders Trains
In 2001, Wales and West was divided into two as part of the creation of an all-Wales rail franchise; the company that took on services in Wales became known as Wales and Borders TrainsWales and Borders
Wales and Borders is the name of a franchise of train services covering Wales, the Welsh Marches and bordering counties of England.-History:The franchise was initially formed from part of the former Wales and West franchise and the Cardiff Railway Company , together with the lines from Shrewsbury...
. As well as retaining Alphaline branding on existing routes, it also re-introduced the brand to the Cambrian Line
Cambrian Line
The Cambrian Line is a railway from Shrewsbury to Welshpool, Aberystwyth and Pwllheli. The railway runs first through the central part of Wales and then along the coast of Cardigan Bay....
services that it took over from Central Trains
Central Trains
Central Trains was one of the original 25 train operating companies to emerge from the break-up of British Rail between 1994 and 1997. The company operated local, urban and secondary express services across central England and Mid Wales.-Overview:...
. This lasted until 2003, when the new franchise became known as Arriva Trains Wales
Arriva Trains Wales
Arriva Trains Wales is a train operating company, owned by Arriva, that operates urban and inter urban passenger services in Wales and the Welsh Marches...
and Alphaline branding was quickly removed.
Wessex Trains
Upon creation from the South West England services of Wales and West in 2001, Wessex TrainsWessex Trains
Wessex Trains was the primary passenger rail operator in the South West of England. The company operated trains in the region bounded by Penzance, Cardiff, Gloucester, Worcester and Brighton...
also retained the Alphaline brand. The company also continued to repaint newly-acquired Class 158 units in the silver Alphaline livery - although it changed the colour of doors from navy to maroon or purple in an attempt to distinguish itself from Wales and Borders Trains.
By late 2003, Wessex Trains was the only company continuing to use the Alphaline brand. The brand was finally dropped after the company was absorbed into the enlarged First Great Western
First Great Western
First Great Western is the operating name of First Greater Western Ltd, a British train operating company owned by FirstGroup that serves Greater London, the South East, South West and West Midlands regions of England, and South Wales....
franchise in 2006.