Mystery diesel gold and blue train

[Krystal]

So about a year ago I saw a train I was unable to recognise.
It was running a 5Q18 service from Ilford Depot to Barton Depot Crofton Depot via the NLL and the WCML.
At the time of sighting (September 2024), it held a blue and gold livery, and had single-leaf doors at each end of the carriages. At the time, RTT mentioned it as a DMU with a max speed of 125.
This service was 'timetabled' to run at the ends of most weeks (STP plans though), and sometimes it ran, sometimes it didn't. In the case of the 1st of September, it was running.
Does anyone have any idea what this train could be?


UPDATES: I've pulled up UIDs of these services, running under the same headcode of 5Q18, pathed as the same DMU at 125, and going from the same places to the same places.
K19764 - 21/09/2024
K19630 - 20/09/2024
K19406 - 14/09/2024
K18527 - 01/09/2024

 

[Harpers Tate]

"Blue Pullman" HST set? AKA Midland Pullman ?

 

[Krystal]

I doubt it's the Blue Pullman; it was a multiple unit and not a loco haul.

 

[ainsworth74]

I doubt it's the Blue Pullman; it was a multiple unit and not a loco haul.

You sure it wasn't the Blue Pullman? This is what it looks like and that does seem to match your description:

 

[Krystal]

You sure it wasn't the Blue Pullman? This is what it looks like and that does seem to match your description:

I still don't think this was it; I doubt this heritage train would run most weeks. Furthermore, it lacks that gold colour I also described.

 

[ainsworth74]

I still don't think this was it; I doubt this heritage train would run most weeks. Furthermore, it lacks that gold colour I also described.

Well it does have a busy schedule to be fair! But yes not over the same track ever week

Hmm very curious, and I'm a bit stumped at the moment!

 

[Class15]

180s sometimes seem to go to Ilford from Crofton? Possibly that?

 

[The exile]

I still don't think this was it; I doubt this heritage train would run most weeks. Furthermore, it lacks that gold colour I also described.

The fact that the path is there doesn’t mean it runs - just that it has the “right” to.

 

[Leyland Bus]

Is there anything left still clinging to the old First North Western blue and gold livery?? I know there's a Pacer that has been returned to that livery but doubt it runs every day or is capable of achieving 125mph

 

[WestCountry]

I think Grand Central's 180s have visited Ilford for tyre turning, and they stable at Crofton. They're black and gold rather than blue though.

 

[Class15]

I think Grand Central's 180s have visited Ilford for tyre turning, and they stable at Crofton. They're black and gold rather than blue though.

Indeed, as I pointed out above. I guess OP might have described the GC livery as very dark blue?

 

[Krystal]

Indeed, as I pointed out above. I guess OP might have described the GC livery as very dark blue?

Might be this then. Thanks.

 

[Jamesrob637]

That new Belmond thing, which consists of Mk3s.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

That new Belmond thing, which consists of Mk3s.

That's light blue, though, isn't it?

 

[fgwrich]

That new Belmond thing, which consists of Mk3s.

No chance. It’s only so far been between Scotland and Eastleigh via the West Coast and Marches, and London Victoria and Cranmore. Furthermore that only emerged to the public in May / June this year, so wouldn’t be anywhere near the timeframe the Op described it as.

 

[43096]

That new Belmond thing, which consists of Mk3s.

If you read the OP it was a year ago. So no.

What about an ex-EMT 153 now with NR as part of the infrastructure fleet?

 

[Class15]

If you read the OP it was a year ago. So no.

What about an ex-EMT 153 now with NR as part of the infrastructure fleet?

I still think it doesn’t fit the Ilford to Crofton service. I still think 180.