Sea Containers Ltd. has expressed interest in acquiring two train company franchises, according to a release Friday.

The company is seeking Great Western Trains Company Ltd. and South West Trains Ltd. franchises.

Sea Containers has already successfully privatised two pieces of British Rail, a package of five hotels owned by British Transport Hotels and Sealink UK, said Sea Containers president Mr. James Sherwood.

"Railways will always be the quality way to travel provided they are not starved of capital investment while buses will never be more than cramped vehicles snarled in London traffic. If awarded these franchises we will build on this inherent quality,'' he said.

The submissions are highly detailed documents in the form of final tender offers.

The Office of Passenger Rail Franchising will select final tenders from the parties submitting indications of interest.

Sea Containers is the Bermuda-based and London managed lessor of marine container assets and owner /operator of ferries, ports, hotels and tourist trains.

Sea Containers has submitted indications of interest in a seven-year format and in a long period format through wholly-owned UK subsidiary London & South Western Railway Company Ltd.

London & Southwestern has applied on the basis of acquiring Great Western on its own or Great Western and South West together but not South West on its own, the company said.

"South West is burdened with heavy loss-making short haul commuter services and can be effectively managed with another adjacent unit such as Great Western but in the company's opinion, as a separate option, it would be a continuing heavy burden of the taxpayer,'' the company said.

London & South Western's proposals call for the company to make "substantial capital investment'' which will allow the subsidy to be eliminated in the early part of the next century, the company said.

If Sea Containers succeeds, Mr. Christopher Garnett will serve as manager. Mr.

Garnett formerly managed the cross channel routes of Sealing UK when that company was owned by Sea Containers.

The proposals will not result in any reduction of train miles offered to the public.

Friday was the closing date for submissions.