Virgin Trains (VTWC) new livery being introduced

[Bertie the bus]

It has been stated that although the ROSCO wanted the repaint, the DfT did specify what it could entail though, at least in terms of non-branding.

Indeed. The DfT did specify what the repaint could entail in terms of branding, which Virgin completely ignored, but there are other colours than Virgin red or white.

 

[387star]

Fair point about the association with Arriva.

It has been stated that although the ROSCO wanted the repaint, the DfT did specify what it could entail though, at least in terms of non-branding.

what about greater anglia using red on their livery which is presumably corporate? this is allowed presumably

 

[Starmill]

I do see the correlation now, but more in terms of both franchises ending in a similar timeframe.

As that is the case, are DfT going to make the same demand of Crosscountry to tone down their livery soon?

This really has not got anything to do with liveries. I have said this so many times. The question is, when do the Voyagers require painting? Painting is a maintenance activity which needs to take place as part of a schedule just like everything else in order to protect the train. It doesn't have anything to do with what colour it is.

 

[dk1]

Indeed. The DfT did specify what the repaint could entail in terms of branding, which Virgin completely ignored, but there are other colours than Virgin red or white.

But this is Virgin. They are quite rightly a law unto themselves

 

[dk1]

what about greater anglia using red on their livery which is presumably corporate? this is allowed presumably

It's only on the doors & at cant rail height to denote the buffet. Nowhere is the parent company name applied.

 

[cj_1985]

Even forgetting for a moment how crap/clinical the livery looks... Why was it necessary to paint the yellow warning panel in the same style as the class 800s

 

[Bletchleyite]

Even forgetting for a moment how crap/clinical the livery looks... Why was it necessary to paint the yellow warning panel in the same style as the class 800s

It's deliberately meant to look like them.

 

[Joe Paxton]

Virgin Trains have adopted the name "flowing silk" for the livery - Tweet - Virgin.com article.

Perhaps they think that with a bit of Virgin PR wizardry they can make a silk purse out of a sow's ear...

 

[cj_1985]

It's deliberately meant to look like them.

But they are not related. that would be like saying the optare solo on my local bus route should be painted in southern livery since they're both used to carry passengers, and doth in the southern regions of Scotland and england

 

[83G/84D]

News about forthcoming repainting of Pendolino sets:-

Second repainted Pendolino due on October 10th
2/10/2017

Our good friends at Virgin Trains have confirmed that the second repainted Pendolino will be 390006. It is due out off Alstom's Widnes paint shop next week (October 10th) and should enter service from Edge Hill depot the following day. Virgin has also confirmed that it is the plan to do the nine-coach trains first. It is also confirmed that the four additional sets (390154-57) will also be repainted at the end of the programme in late 2019.

http://www.stevenknightmedia.com/the-steven-knight-media-blog

 

[Darandio]

But they are not related. that would be like saying the optare solo on my local bus route should be painted in southern livery since they're both used to carry passengers, and doth in the southern regions of Scotland and england

They are related, at least to Virgin anyway. Otherwise they wouldn't mention it in the news release above.

 

[mikemcniven]

Did a search and cannot see a thread for it, but Virgin Trains via the new Alstom facility at Widnes are starting to repaint the class 390's. The livery has been partially dictated by the DfT due to the upcoming award of the West Coast Partnership franchise and the DfT wanted it as plain as possible to allow the next operator to make their own mark.

Anyway 390010 was the first out of Widnes and I caught up with it today as it came in to Piccadilly before leaving on the 1317 service back to Euston.


Virgin Trains 390010 by Mike McNiven, on Flickr

The branding is much alike the Azuma's coming to the East Coast Mainline

Virgin Trains 390010 by Mike McNiven, on Flickr

New door stickers are also in use, in a more basic font

Virgin Trains 390010 by Mike McNiven, on Flickr

Virgin Trains 390010 by Mike McNiven, on Flickr

The nameplate is now a sticker rarhter then the old plate style

Virgin Trains 390010 by Mike McNiven, on Flickr

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Beautiful. Makes the old livery look ancient.

 

[mikemcniven]

Beautiful. Makes the old livery look ancient.

I think it's an awesome modern livery, and I hope when Virgin Rail, Stagecoach & SNCF win the franchise (hopefully) that the complete the livery to match the Azuma's properly

 

[Bletchleyite]

I think it's an awesome modern livery, and I hope when Virgin Rail, Stagecoach & SNCF win the franchise (hopefully) that the complete the livery to match the Azuma's properly

I really quite like the full Azuma version with the red at each coach join. This version is incredibly bland once you get past the end coaches.

As for the franchise, SNCF are involved, that means I hope they don't win. SNCF are a terrible operation, I don't want them anywhere near the UK (than they already get with the half-hearted, lackadaisical operation Eurostar is, give or take any little fingers Keolis may still have in any pies).

 

[mikemcniven]

I really quite like the full Azuma version with the red at each coach join. This version is incredibly bland once you get past the end coaches.

As for the franchise, SNCF are involved, that means I hope they don't win. SNCF are a terrible operation, I don't want them anywhere near the UK (than they already get with the half-hearted, lackadaisical operation Eurostar is, give or take any little fingers Keolis may still have in any pies).

SNCF only have a small share holding due to the requirement for them to have High Speed knowledge, I doubt they'ed have much in the way of influence as it will still be "Virgin Rail Group" so likely that the full Azuma style livery will then be applied if the gain the franchise.

 

[Bletchleyite]

SNCF only have a small share holding due to the requirement for them to have High Speed knowledge, I doubt they'ed have much in the way of influence as it will still be "Virgin Rail Group" so likely that the full Azuma style livery will then be applied if the gain the franchise.

Fair point, I suppose Keolis (=SNCF, pretty much, with some Canadian investment) had almost no influence over the previous TPE franchise, which was even known as "First TransPennine Express" by many, and they don't seem to do a lot in Govia either. (VIA GTI = Keolis under a former name with an extra bit bolted on).

 

[DarloRich]

ah paint wibble. MY favorite subject. My only comment is that cleaning will need to be very good to keep the white looking smart.

 

[Crossforth]

Having visited a certain famous model shop which is now located in Widnes, I spotted this yesterday on my way there.



It's a heavily cropped pretty rubbish picture but I assume this is 390006?

 

[Rob F]

Beautiful. Makes the old livery look ancient.

It is just a plain white train with a red bit at each end, not really a livery at all and certainly not one that anybody has given any thought to, although I understand the reasons behind it as the trains are due a repaint and a franchise change may be imminent.

Nowhere near as attractive (or classy) as what it is replacing, though.

Rob

 

[47271]

I was looking at it at Euston this morning.

The white makes the windows look dark and tiny, like a prison transport van. That impression will maybe improve when it gets dirty. Lol

 

[Up_Tilt_390]

SNCF only have a small share holding due to the requirement for them to have High Speed knowledge, I doubt they'ed have much in the way of influence as it will still be "Virgin Rail Group" so likely that the full Azuma style livery will then be applied if the gain the franchise.

Except it's not a particularly small share given how it's 30%, with Virgin holding the lowest at 20%. I also doubt it'll be Virgin Rail Group bidding since they didn't use it for InterCity East Coast. But might I add how silly I think it is that the DfT asks the operators to have experience in operating high speed trains and infrastructure. No operator in the UK has that (except Eurostar for high speed trains, but not the other half), and it's pretty much asking for more of our railway revenue to go to these European operators who've already milked the pennies they can via Keolis, Abellio etc.

But in regards to the bid itself, is SNCF the best option, or would someone line RENFE (of Spain) or perhaps an Asian operator be any better of a choice? If you have an opinion on who could've been better then please say so.

 

[Goldfish62]

No operator in the UK has that (except Eurostar for high speed trains, but not the other half), and it's pretty much asking for more of our railway revenue to go to these European operators who've already milked the pennies they can via Keolis, Abellio etc.

That would be the same Abellio that had had to provide a multi million Euro loan of Dutch taxpayers money to keep the ScotRail franchise afloat. Hardly milking the pennies.

 

[Up_Tilt_390]

That would be the same Abellio that had had to provide a multi million Euro loan of Dutch taxpayers money to keep the ScotRail franchise afloat. Hardly milking the pennies.

Let's be fair though, letting the franchise go to the pits wouldn't be in their interest either. Imagine if they let it fail.

 

[gg1]

Even forgetting for a moment how crap/clinical the livery looks... Why was it necessary to paint the yellow warning panel in the same style as the class 800s

Indeed. One of the aspects of the old Virgin livery I like is the yellow warning panel is actually integrated into the overall design as opposed to looking like it was slapped on as an afterthought.

 

[Goldfish62]

Let's be fair though, letting the franchise go to the pits wouldn't be in their interest either. Imagine if they let it fail.

My point was about the assumption that European companies are milking our railways.

 

[Bletchleyite]

But in regards to the bid itself, is SNCF the best option, or would someone line RENFE (of Spain) or perhaps an Asian operator be any better of a choice? If you have an opinion on who could've been better then please say so.

To me DB AG would be preferable, as our railway and its demand is much more suited to their style of operation (clockface timetable, optional reservations, high quality/comfort rolling stock) than it is to the Romance approach (airline style timetabling and booking and lower comfort levels).

 

[Bletchleyite]

Let's be fair though, letting the franchise go to the pits wouldn't be in their interest either. Imagine if they let it fail.

Handing in the keys certainly damaged National Express's prospects for more.

 

[DenmarkRail]

To me DB AG would be preferable, as our railway and its demand is much more suited to their style of operation (clockface timetable, optional reservations, high quality/comfort rolling stock) than it is to the Romance approach (airline style timetabling and booking and lower comfort levels).

Agree

 

[Mordac]

To me DB AG would be preferable, as our railway and its demand is much more suited to their style of operation (clockface timetable, optional reservations, high quality/comfort rolling stock) than it is to the Romance approach (airline style timetabling and booking and lower comfort levels).

Agreed that they'd be preferable to the French, but even better would be an Asian operation, especially from Japan. They're used to operating on a discrete island network with heavy usage, and from a strategic point of view, help cement trade relations with non-EU countries.