Pendolino named Stephen Sutton

[Johnuk123]

http://www.expressandstar.com/news/...irational-fundraiser-stephen-sutton-unveiled/

Train dedicated to inspirational fundraiser Stephen Sutton unveiled.
A train that will travel up and down the UK has been named in memory of inspirational Burntwood teenager Stephen Sutton.

Nice tribute to a very decent and inspirational lad.

 

[bb21]

Agreed. Very nice gesture from VT.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Is that the one with the angel wings on it? Saw it briefly passing us out of Euston today.

 

[bb21]

Isn't that one Pride of Coventry or something like that?

 

[Domh245]

Correct, 390002, previously Virgin Angel, and with pride of coventry vinyls (the wings)

https://flic.kr/p/y8V9kJ (pre naming)

 

[HMS Ark Royal]

You know, I might in the minority here and say i don't like it at all

 

[FordFocus]

You know, I might in the minority here and say i don't like it at all

Get out.


It's an excellent gesture from Virgin Trains to show support over Stephen who raised millions of pounds for cancer research, a dreadful disease that affects thousands each year.

 

[HMS Ark Royal]

I understand why it was named, but we all have our opinions here and i am simply stating mine by saying I don't like the idea of naming something after somebody who only became famous after his story went viral. Yes, the money raised was a good sum which will be put to good use, but i don't think naming a train after him was good idea - now a cancer research unit, perhaps...

 

[physics34]

I understand why it was named, but we all have our opinions here and i am simply stating mine by saying I don't like the idea of naming something after somebody who only became famous after his story went viral. Yes, the money raised was a good sum which will be put to good use, but i don't think naming a train after him was good idea - now a cancer research unit, perhaps...

Agree, would much prefer the old style of naming trains... landmarks, famous ships...(ark royal!) etc etc

 

[Bishopstone]

Agree, would much prefer the old style of naming trains... landmarks, famous ships...(ark royal!) etc etc

'Top of the Pops'; 'BBC Bury St Edmunds Tonight'; 'Sir Moir Lockhead OBE - Railwayman, Scholar and Gentleman'; 'Exeter Power Signalbox - 27.5 glorious years.'

 

[GatwickDepress]

I understand why it was named, but we all have our opinions here and i am simply stating mine by saying I don't like the idea of naming something after somebody who only became famous after his story went viral. Yes, the money raised was a good sum which will be put to good use, but i don't think naming a train after him was good idea - now a cancer research unit, perhaps...

I can understand that. 390002 was formerly Virgin Star, then Pride of Coventry, and now Stephen Sutton. In a few years, it may very well be renamed again. Hospital units tend to keep the same name throughout their working life, sometimes keeping them when superseded by newer units too, and as a result show up more in the public consciousness.

That said, I'm in no way detracting from what is a very lovely gesture from Virgin. Hopefully 390002 doesn't get renamed again in a few.

 

[sprinterguy]

I can understand that. 390002 was formerly Virgin Star, then Pride of Coventry, and now Stephen Sutton. In a few years, it may very well be renamed again. Hospital units tend to keep the same name throughout their working life, sometimes keeping them when superseded by newer units too, and as a result show up more in the public consciousness.

That said, I'm in no way detracting from what is a very lovely gesture from Virgin. Hopefully 390002 doesn't get renamed again in a few.

390002 was "Virgin Angel", as stated up thread (390112 is "Virgin Star"). Prior to that it was named "Red Revolution".

Did the set not retain the "Virgin Angel" name while it carried the Pride of Coventry promotional vinyls? I thought it did, so I wouldn't count the additional stickers as a name in its own right.

 

[GatwickDepress]

390002 was "Virgin Angel", as stated up thread (390112 is "Virgin Star"). Prior to that it was named "Red Revolution".

Ah, thanks. I'm still not sure the nameplate will last the ages though.

 

[sprinterguy]

Ah, thanks. I'm still not sure the nameplate will last the ages though.

I agree that there is likely to be a further change of identity in the life of the unit. Especially if Virgin fail to win the next West Coast franchise, when all the names would no doubt be removed in the same way as they were from the Crosscountry Voyagers.