Virgin / Stagecoach win East Coast

[JaJaWa]

Is it? We've already had one parody account - this is another 'unverified' twitter account.

It looks pretty real... although they were surprised about the photos of the new livery (which had come from their marketing guy!)

Edit: just remembered I was linked to it from David Horne who is their MD

 

[Agent_c]

It looks pretty real... although they were surprised about the photos of the new livery (which had come from their marketing guy!)

Edit: just remembered I was linked to it from David Horne who is their MD

If it's real, looks like named trains and routes are a part of the plans.

 

[Geezertronic]

Is it just me that thanks of Honda when they see VTEC?

I think that is probably why everything seems to be advertised & branded as Virgin Trains East Coast and it is enthusiasts that refer to them as VTEC

 

[ainsworth74]

It appears that they're keeping the commemorative liveries as well as at least some of the named locomotives and the named services.

 

[Starmill]

I think that is probably why everything seems to be advertised & branded as Virgin Trains East Coast and it is enthusiasts that refer to them as VTEC

You think the normal punters are going to go around saying 'Virgin Trains East Coast'? Many people on the WC at present shorten 'Virgin Trains' to 'Virgin'. As an aside, I am sure many will continue to do so. There will probably scope for amusing pedantry on here following the changeover too - someone refers quickly to simply 'Virgin' during a discussion of London to Birmingham (for example) and gets pulled up for not specifying which they mean

 

[Rhydgaled]

It appears that they're keeping the commemorative liveries as well as at least some of the named locomotives and the named services.

Specifically 91110 and 91111 were mentioned (the "Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight" and "For The Fallen" locomotives). Rather pleased about 91110, a really good livery that one (and the nameplates done to match the SR Battle Of Britain class locos, great idea that was).

No word on whether the one in 'Flying Scotsman' livery (91101 I think) and the matching DVT will keep their special branding though.

 

[ainsworth74]

Specifically 91110 and 91111 were mentioned (the "Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight" and "For The Fallen" locomotives). Rather pleased about 91110, a really good livery that one (and the nameplates done to match the SR Battle Of Britain class locos, great idea that was).

I like both of the liveries applied to them so I'm glad they'll be kept but...

No word on whether the one in 'Flying Scotsman' livery (91101 I think) and the matching DVT will keep their special branding though.

I can live without that one as it always felt a bit gimmicky and it isn't that impressive.

 

[Minilad]

I bet it's not long before those liveries are lost and a 91 is named Nelly the 91 or some such gimmicky nonsense

 

[gordonthemoron]

Tubular Bells or Never Mind the Bollocks

 

[Bletchleyite]

I bet it's not long before those liveries are lost and a 91 is named Nelly the 91 or some such gimmicky nonsense

The great majority of Pendolinos have quite respectable names (the majority are named after cities - some would say they could be known as the City Class I suppose ), and I did really like the Super Voyager names based on famous explorers.

Neil

 

[Aictos]

Seems there will be launch events thoughout March plus WiFi at some stations as confirmed by VTEC themselves

 

[CockneySparrow]

Seems there will be launch events thoughout March plus WiFi at some stations as confirmed by VTEC themselves

Probably the AGA usual cloud service, a couple of free minutes then gone

 

[Aictos]

Probably the AGA usual cloud service, a couple of free minutes then gone

Unless they go with O2 which is free for the entire time you're connected to it obviously.

 

[fgwrich]

VTEC's Twitter account has launched at https://twitter.com/askVirginEC/.

Also Sam Jessup, Virgin Trains' creative director posted the attached photos of the 91103 rebrand. (https://twitter.com/samthebox)

Uh-oh, I knew it was going to be a vinyl based livery for now, but I can still see 1 if not 2 sets of wording underneath that, just like the NX stickers over the GNER branding. It almost looks like the GNER sized E - I'd have at least thought they could have removed the current EC branding off first!

 

[87019Chris]

Uh-oh, I knew it was going to be a vinyl based livery for now, but I can still see 1 if not 2 sets of wording underneath that, just like the NX stickers over the GNER branding. It almost looks like the GNER sized E - I'd have at least thought they could have removed the current EC branding off first!

Totally agree, what is wrong with an actual paint job nowadays?

and do we have confirmation that the special liveries will be kept or will they be altered? minor changes e.g. replacing East Coast with Virgin or total re-do.

 

[JaJaWa]

Totally agree, what is wrong with an actual paint job nowadays?

and do we have confirmation that the special liveries will be kept or will they be altered? minor changes e.g. replacing East Coast with Virgin or total re-do.

The special liveries are being kept according to the Twitter.

 

[Rhydgaled]

The special liveries are being kept according to the Twitter.

Indeed, but I guess they will want to do away with East Coast's purple stripe in some way.

 

[E-Rail]

Deleted