Wales and West

Infobox Rail companies
bgcolor=FFFFFF
image_filename=Wales_and_west_logo.gif
widthpx=300px
franchise=Wales and West
1997 – 14 October 2001
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nameforarea=region
regions=Wales
secregions=South West,West Midlands,North West
fleet=
stations=
parent_company=National Express
website=

The company operated routes along Wales and the South West coast as seen in their route map. [http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/9258/wwmap9yl.gif]

Originally known as 'South Wales and West Railway', this privatised UK train operating company was created from the South Wales and West division of Regional Railways. The franchise was awarded to Prism Rail, who were eventually bought out by the National Express Group. The shortened name was adopted during 1997.

On 14 October 2001 both the Wales and West and Valley Lines franchises were reorganised. Wales and West Passenger Trains Ltd. took on the trading name of Wessex Trains and the operation of services in southwest England; Cardiff Railway Company Ltd. changed its trading name from Valley Lines to Wales and Borders Trains and took on the running of most trains in Wales and the adjoining parts of England. Both franchises continued to be owned by the National Express Group until Arriva took over a slightly modified Wales and Borders franchise in 2003.
s-ttl|rows=2|title=Operator of Wales and West franchise
years=1997 - 2001
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