Construction progress: TPE 350/4

[richardio123]

So do I... It looks modern. It very striking but its good.

 

[WatcherZero]

I dont like it, but I did love the previous TPE livery.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I am most surprised to see how "conservative" some of our more youthful forum members (compared to me) are in terms of livery appreciation where a plain grey livery is thought to be attractive by them.

I cannot imagine the "varnished teak" carriages of the LN ER in their carriage paint shops ever being subject to a dramatic announcement...
"Right lads, time to go "all modern" so get those tins of grey undercoat out and give all these a good going over with three coats of "Gresley Grey"....

 

[Crossforth]

I think (of what I have seen so far) I looks very modern and quite striking. It's something different rather than the same old same old. I like it. Variety is the spice of life (maybe not an excuse to use with your partner if you cheat on them)

 

[Techniquest]

Well from what I've seen there it looks good. What it'll look like in the flesh I don't know, I'll reserve judgement on that for when I finally get up to Manchester this year, whenever that'll be!

As for the grey livery, that looked fine on the 350/1s when they first started working but obviously the current livery is much better.

 

[Bantamzen]

It's hard to tell without seeing it in the full context of a completed unit, but from that little snap I think I like it too.

 

[edwin_m]

I think it's better than the original Barbie livery but not as good as the 185 livery.

I don't recall it being mentioned here (may be wrong!) but do these have any power sockets in Standard? One was stuck at Piccadilly for 10min the other day due to a casualty on the platform and looking through the windows I couldn't see any at table seats or anywhere else. This is a backward step from the 185s and not ideal for journeys of 3hr or so, and the fact there are sockets in First suggests they could have specified them for Standard too if they had wanted to.

 

[Class172]

I would agree that the wraps no not look right; especially where they run right up to the front of the train. A striking livery yes, but not one that's particularly attractive. I would have preferred to have seen something similar to the "dynamic lines" as used on FGW's HSTs and 180s.

 

[sprinterguy]

I cannot imagine the "varnished teak" carriages of the LN ER in their carriage paint shops ever being subject to a dramatic announcement...
"Right lads, time to go "all modern" so get those tins of grey undercoat out and give all these a good going over with three coats of "Gresley Grey"....

What about the "Silver Jubilee"?

Two shades of (silver) grey, a fixed formation carriage rake with a streamlined front: It doesn't sound that far removed from modern values!

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

What about the "Silver Jubilee"?

Two shades of (silver) grey, a fixed formation carriage rake with a streamlined front: It doesn't sound that far removed from modern values!

I just knew that someone would pick me up on that (), but look at the silver grey colour scheme that was applied to the "Silver Jubilee" then compare this to the much deeper and duller shade of grey that was applied to the Class 350/4 units.

Let us now have no rude discussions on "Fifty Shades of Grey"...:roll:

 

[ModernRailways]

In my view, the livery should be wrapped like London Midland, whereby it has a black or dark grey then the actual livery, going right up to the front really puts me off it!

I agree with others though the grey seemed nicer, it was bland but it seems to suit the units well!

 

[user15681]

I quite like it, different to other First liveries. Although I'm not sure I like it going all the way to the front.

 

[87019Chris]

It looks like three tall children have gone down the side of it with paint brushes if it weren't just a vinyl I get the need for progression but only when its positive and looks good. I would say that it means you can tell them apart from the 185's but the panto and the front door and the extra coach do that for you. The grey livery is nice but its a bit dull and boring I'd still have it over this new one though, i might need some sunglasses when i see one :roll:

 

[Solent&Wessex]

From a different angle.

 

[RobShipway]

It is not a bad livery, but as stated it does not look as good as the FGW HST/180 liveries.

 

[ModernRailways]

Larger image with more of the train visible

 

[jonesy3001]

Are they applying this livery to the 185s as well?

 

[Oswyntail]

I.... I would say that it means you can tell them apart from the 185's but the panto and the front door and the extra coach do that for you. ....

Remember the livery is not aimed at people who know about pantos and front gangways and extra coaches - they are aimed at the public.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I agree with others though the grey seemed nicer, it was bland but it seems to suit the units well!

"Bland" is not exactly what First TPE would have had in mind with regard to "an exciting new livery variation"...

 

[387star]

Hmmm must be in agreement with keolis as new branding has been used

 

[61653 HTAFC]

I'm slightly surprised they've gone for something so close to the typical FirstGroup look, considering all the rumours of FGW supposedly getting a 'non-corporate' rebrand and the move by the Somerset division of Firstbus to become 'Buses of Taunton/Somerset'. Since Lockhead left they've generally been less precious about painting everything bl**dy purple!

Then again, I've never been a fan of the FirstGroup corporate look anyway- they should have kept the 'Badgerline' name, the HSTs and 180s would look great if painted to look like a badger (yellow fronts notwithstanding)!

 

[thealexweb]

Looks bloody awful :/

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Looks bloody awful :/

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder...

 

[swt_passenger]

...considering all the rumours of FGW supposedly getting a 'non-corporate' rebrand...

Well this does tend to confirm there was no real evidence for that rumour...

 

[table38]

Looks bloody awful :/

Maybe it's designed to encourage people to travel on the trains, as then they can't see the exterior

Like the French guy who hated the Eiffel Tower, but whose favourite restaurant was in the Eiffel Tower as that was the only place in Paris where you couldn't see it

 

[387star]

Well this does tend to confirm there was no real evidence for that rumour...

New uniform likely

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

New uniform likely

Talking of "uniforms", how about a "co-ordinated" rail staff uniform for those who will be working on this mini-fleet...

 

[Starmill]

Hmmm must be in agreement with keolis as new branding has been used

You mean the 'First TransPennine Express' logo on the side? If so, nope, they have simply applied the logo they have been using for years to the new train. The 185s, some of the promotional material and their letterheads carry the old TPE logo.

 

[brick60000]

I have to admit I quite like it, though I have to agree that it would look better if it didn't go all the way to the front!

Sorry if this has been mentioned, but are there any ideas of when this will be in service?

 

[387star]

I have to admit I quite like it, though I have to agree that it would look better if it didn't go all the way to the front!

Sorry if this has been mentioned, but are there any ideas of when this will be in service?

Next week
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The carpets must show up the dirt on these trains being so light in colour