L1/Group
It is a fictional transport and other affairs group. In the novel, the name was devised by Au and developed by one of his Romford friend's parents. By the start of the novel, the bus operation spread to West London.
In real life, L1/Group is technically the group of novels developed from WLTM and anything else from the author of this book.
In real life, L1/Group is technically the group of novels developed from WLTM and anything else from the author of this book.
L1/Group Buses
L1/Group Trains
L1/Thameslink
L1/Thameslink run services along the Thameslink line, its main route being Bedford-Brighton. It won the contract to run the joint Great Northern/Thameslink franchise in 2013. The day after the take over, the first ever non-delayed day on the Thameslink line soon occured, and trains have been reliably run since. The Thameslink fleet consists of Class 377s and Class 345s. Although a small number of Class 319s are still in service, they are being replaced by Class 345s. The livery is the Thames running along the train in light blue, whilst the Thameslink network is shown relative to the Thames in red, all in an orange background.
It is part of the Southern/Thameslink franchise won by L1/Group in 2013.
L1/Great Northern
L1/Great Northern run suburban and stopping services along the ECML, its main routes being King's Cross-Peterborough/Cambridge. It won the Great Northern/Thameslink franchise in 2013. Overcrowding has eased, and new rolling stock is replacing older rolling stock, such as the Classes 313, 317 and 321s. They are being replaced by Class 377s, who run alongside the existing Class 365s. The livery is the old Network SouthEast livery, but with dark blue doors and L1/Great Northern logos on the side (instead of NSE logos). It is part of the Southern/Thameslink franchise won by L1/Group in 2013.
L1/London Crosslink
L1/London Crosslink runs services from Basingstoke to Norwich, via Brentford. It is an open-axcess operator, operating just this route using Class 172s. This was previously run by Anglia Trains, before being withdrawn in 2002. The train service was re-introduced every two hours by L1/Trains in 2013, as it's first service. They are in a generic L1/Trains livery, which is used on all Class 171/172s. Until the win of the Southern franchise, trains were maintained in Strawberry Hill TMD, but now they are maintained in Selhurst TMD.
L1/Southern
L1/Southern run services along the Brighton Main Lines 1 and 2, as well as South London suburban services. Orders for new Class 377s and 376s to replace some Class 442s, and all Class 313/455/456s, as well as increase services. The new trains will be in service before the new franchise starts, but they will have the new Southern Green livery, which is a flashback from the old Southern Railway.
It is part of the Southern/Thameslink franchise won by L1/Group in 2013.
L1/West Coast
L1/West Coast run intercity services along the West Coast Mainline, after First Group failed in running this franchise after just seven months. More Class 390s ('Pendolino') are entering services, as well as slightly longer Class 221s ('Super Voyager') for new services to Blackpool. The new contract was agreed on a mix of the Virgin and First bids. This operation is part owned by Stagecoach and Virgin Groups, however now runs under the L1/West Coast name. Livery hasn't changed from Virgin Trains times, and Virgin Trains shields are still present at the front of trains. However, trains with the Virgin Trains name still on the trains keep that name, and service has slightly improved from Virgin times (and massively improved from the First Group time)