NR test train colour mix?

[317362]

I think (difficult to be totally sure as an Electrostar was passing and in the way) that the test train currently at Reading Triangle is formed at one end of a VTEC red 43 coupled directly onto a blue DRS Mark 2. Looked bizarre both liverywise and generally. Has anyone seen this running around or was I hallucinating? Evidence welcome.

 

[43096]

I think (difficult to be totally sure as an Electrostar was passing and in the way) that the test train currently at Reading Triangle is formed at one end of a VTEC red 43 coupled directly onto a blue DRS Mark 2. Looked bizarre both liverywise and generally. Has anyone seen this running around or was I hallucinating? Evidence welcome.

Sounds perfectly feasible to me. Colas have red liveried power cars 43251/257/272 for test train use and NR have recently taken delivery of several former DRS Mark 2s for use as staff/brake force vehicles in the test fleet.

 

[317362]

Fair enough, it's fairly eye-catching and still all branded with a compass.