Trains as part of the South Western franchise. On 13 December 2005 the Department for Transport awarded the Greater Western franchise to FirstGroup and the services operated by Wessex Trains transferred to First Great Western on 1 April 2006. References External links Defunct train operating companies National Express companies Railway companies established in 2001 Railway companies disestablished in 2006 Rail transport in Devon Wessex 2001 establishments in England 2006 disestablishments in England