Lost property on GWR trains

• The UK rail network is very complex, with multiple overlapping train companies.
• Items left onboard trains will generally get handed in at a station.
• Lost property is handled by the company who manages the station where the item is found, which might be a different company to the one you travelled with.

• Contact the company who manages the station where you lost the item.
• If it’s a GWR station, register your loss here.
• If you are unsure who manages the station, you can check here

*Bristol Temple Meads and Reading are managed by Network Rail, but GWR handle the lost property. We do not handle lost property at London Paddington – you can register with them here.

• Items are often recovered when the train reaches the final stop, although this is not a guarantee.
• If this station is managed by a different company, the item may be recovered by them instead.
• Some final stop stations are unstaffed — lost items will NOT be recovered at these locations
• Trains typically remain in service all day, so items can make multiple journeys before being found.
• If you lost your item on a GWR service, start by registering your loss here. We’ll advise if you also need to report it elsewhere.

We handle items found at all GWR stations and depots, regardless of the operator of the train. The following companies operate services to our stations:

• CrossCountry Trains
• South Western Railway
• Transport for Wales
• Chiltern Railways
• Elizabeth Line

If you travelled with one of these companies, and their train finished its journey at a GWR station, report to both GWR and the company you travelled with.

• Give detailed information, especially for electronics:
• Phone: IMEI number, wallpaper, network provider
• Laptop/Tablet: Serial number, asset number, identifying features

• If an item was inside another, describe the outermost item (e.g. the bag) and list the contents.
• Provide brands and sizes for clothing

• All items found at GWR stations and depots are sent to the GWR Lost Property Office in Bristol.
• Where possible, identified items may be held locally at the finding station for collection, but they cannot be transferred between stations.
• Items usually reach Bristol within 7 days, but it can take longer.

• Bank cards – In line with PCIDSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) regulations, all bank cards recovered on the railway are destroyed. Please inform your bank of the loss. For cards lost inside other property, such as wallets and purses, we still recommend that you contact your bank immediately to report the loss and arrange a replacement.
• Hazardous or perishable items – We do not keep or take enquiries for lighters, e-cigarettes, perishable foodstuffs, soiled clothing, highly flammable substances or other items that may be hazardous to store.
• Illegal items – Will be handed to the British Transport Police.
• Locked items – Will be opened / locks removed.

• We will contact you if you have registered your loss, or if we find your details in the item.
• Items can be collected in person or sent to you at your expense.

• We do not charge any storage or handling fees.
• We keep items for 3 months after they have been found.
• Unclaimed items are donated to charity or recycled. We always make sure that any personal data is securely wiped or destroyed.
• We do not sell items or hold auctions.