Virgin Trains (VTWC) new livery being introduced

[E_Reeves]

That Pride livery looks smart. The extra colours make the ends look far more dynamic. Far better than the standard new livery, which just looks bland and perhaps even unfinished (though a bit better with the black window band).

I do agree there. It looked quite nice as it passed me the other day. It definitely makes the livery a bit more exciting.

 

[Up_Tilt_390]

If there is one thing I must question, it's why has unit 390005 kept black window bands despite later units not receiving the same treatment? What exactly happened or was decided at the time when that particular unit was put back into service with said black bands that, in my opinion, actually made the livery a bit better and less bland in it's appearance.

 

[joshy.fre_2003]

If there is one thing I must question, it's why has unit 390005 kept black window bands despite later units not receiving the same treatment? What exactly happened or was decided at the time when that particular unit was put back into service with said black bands that, in my opinion, actually made the livery a bit better and less bland in it's appearance.

Anyone know if 390 006 went through a stint of having black window bands? Got a few people seeming to think it did but I can’t remember ever seeing that.

 

[sd0733]

Saw 390125 this morning and whilst still original silver it now carries the on-board entertainment vinyls that some of the white sets carry.

 

[59CosG95]

390049 appears to be the latest one to be done.

 

[driver_m]

390049 appears to be the latest one to be done.

050 should be out now as well. 001 I believe is the set currently in. Only that and 002 to be done, then 107 supposed to be first 11 car going in.

 

[sd0733]

390001 currently outside Widnes fully painted white and branded

 

[LOL The Irony]

390001 currently outside Widnes fully painted white and branded

After 16 years in the same livery, RIP...

 

[AlistairCowell]

After 16 years in the same livery, RIP...

That's right, but we still have the 11-car Class 390 sets in red and silver livery for a bit yet, and so as the Class 221s.

 

[joshy.fre_2003]

Anyone know of any progress made on 107?

 

[59CosG95]

After 16 years in the same livery, RIP...

390001 now carries "bee heart" stickers on its ends below the windscreens and has been named "Bee Together".
390002 has yet to emerge from Widnes IIRC.

 

[driver_m]

390001 now carries "bee heart" stickers on its ends below the windscreens and has been named "Bee Together".
390002 has yet to emerge from Widnes IIRC.

No it's out 002. 107 now being painted.

 

[Andy25]

No it's out 002. 107 now being painted.

No it's not, 002 only arrived on Tuesday as the first 11 car, won't be completed for another week.

 

[Peter0124]

No it's not, 002 only arrived on Tuesday as the first 11 car, won't be completed for another week.

390002 was seen on Saturday outside my local station

 

[driver_m]

No it's not, 002 only arrived on Tuesday as the first 11 car, won't be completed for another week.

?? 002 came out last week and 107 went in. Check realtimetrains for the moves between Widnes and Edge Hill where you'll find one went in and one went out.

 

[Peter0124]

390107 has window bands + denamed

 

[driver_m]

They're all getting the band now. Latest word from fluffy towers.

 

[Bletchleyite]

They're all getting the band now. Latest word from fluffy towers.

Good, looks far better with it.

 

[sufian123]

390107

 

[Bletchleyite]

Give that a red roofline like the original and I’ll really quite like it.

 

[387star]

Good, looks far better with it.

Thank goodness for that

 

[joshy.fre_2003]

114 done and out today

 

[387star]

View attachment 51832 114 done and out today

Will the rest get the bands?
Why the change?

 

[corsaVXR]

now if only they could give them an interior makeover to match

 

[route101]

now if only they could give them an interior makeover to match

Indeed , and the Voyagers , must be coming up for one.

 

[The_Train]

View attachment 51832 114 done and out today

Passed me at Stafford on its way up north and must admit it was looking particularly clean and shiny

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Well, as my favourite TOC is getting a makeover, I owe it to Virgin Trains to create a list.


Virgin Trains
Livery status

Voyagers
221101 Virgin Silver and Red
221102 Virgin Silver and Red
221103 Virgin Silver and Red
221104 Virgin Silver and Red
221105 Virgin Silver and Red
221106 Virgin Silver and Red
221107 Virgin Silver and Red
221108 Virgin Silver and Red
221109 Virgin Silver and Red
221110 Virgin Silver and Red
221111 Virgin Silver and Red
221112 Virgin Silver and Red
221113 Virgin Silver and Red
221114 Virgin Silver and Red
221115 Virgin Silver and Red
221116 Virgin Silver and Red
221117 Virgin Silver and Red
221118 Virgin Silver and Red
221142 Virgin Silver and Red
221143 Virgin Silver and Red

Pendolinos
390001 Virgin “Flowing Silk”
390002 Virgin “Flowing Silk”
390005 Virgin “Flowing Silk”
390006 Virgin “Flowing Silk”
390008 Virgin “Flowing Silk”
390009 Virgin “Flowing Silk”
390010 Virgin “Flowing Silk”
390011 Virgin “Flowing Silk”
390013 Virgin “Flowing Silk”
390016 Virgin “Flowing Silk”
390020 Virgin “Flowing Silk”
390039 Virgin “Flowing Silk”
390040 Virgin “Flowing Silk”
390042 Virgin “Flowing Silk”
390043 Virgin “Flowing Silk”
390044 Virgin “Flowing Silk”
390045 Virgin “Flowing Silk”
390046 Virgin “Flowing Silk”
390047 Virgin “Flowing Silk”
390049 Virgin “Flowing Silk”
390050 Virgin “Flowing Silk”
390103 Virgin Silver and Red
390104 Virgin Silver and Red
390107 Virgin “Flowing Silk”
390112 Virgin Silver and Red
390114 Virgin “Flowing Silk”
390115 Virgin Silver and Red
390117 Virgin Silver and Red
390118 Virgin Silver and Red
390119 Virgin Silver and Red
390121 Virgin Silver and Red
390122 Virgin Silver and Red
390123 Virgin Silver and Red
390124 Virgin Silver and Red
390125 Virgin Silver and Red
390126 Virgin Silver and Red
390127 Virgin Silver and Red
390128 Virgin Silver and Red
390129 Virgin Silver and Red
390130 Virgin Silver and Red
390131 Virgin Silver and Red
390132 Virgin Silver and Red
390134 Virgin Silver and Red
390135 Virgin Silver and Red
390136 Virgin Silver and Red
390137 Virgin Silver and Red
390138 Virgin Silver and Red
390141 Virgin Silver and Red
390148 Virgin Silver and Red
390151 Virgin Silver and Red
390152 Virgin Silver and Red
390153 Virgin Silver and Red

 

[Andy25]

Indeed , and the Voyagers , must be coming up for one.

Pendolino refresh being tendered as part of West Coast Partnership franchise. New carpets, repaint seat backs and new padding and covers. Plus WiFi upgrade and passenger occupancy stuff.

 

[mmh]

I always seem to be in a very small minority, but I think the Pendolinos and Voyagers have aged remarkably well. If you did a random survey asking people how old they are I bet few would say nearly 20 years. They still look and feel modern. (The HST, while a brilliant design I'm going to miss a lot, wouldn't have fooled many into think it was a new train at 20!)

The interiors are mostly fine for long distance trains - nicely subdued and quite relaxing. The worst parts are, as ever, the enormous window pillars and thick wall panelling on Pendolinos. I can't see any refurbishment ever being able to do much about that - window seats will continue to be armrest-less and I'll still make a beeline for a seat with enough of a window to use the sill as an armrest.

 

[Andy25]

I always seem to be in a very small minority, but I think the Pendolinos and Voyagers have aged remarkably well. If you did a random survey asking people how old they are I bet few would say nearly 20 years. They still look and feel modern. (The HST, while a brilliant design I'm going to miss a lot, wouldn't have fooled many into think it was a new train at 20!)

The interiors are mostly fine for long distance trains - nicely subdued and quite relaxing. The worst parts are, as ever, the enormous window pillars and thick wall panelling on Pendolinos. I can't see any refurbishment ever being able to do much about that - window seats will continue to be armrest-less and I'll still make a beeline for a seat with enough of a window to use the sill as an armrest.

Window pillars are a consequence of crash worthiness requirements and aluminium body. Aluminium being a requirement to reduce weight for power efficiency.

Seat alignment is because it was designed for alignment with first class seats and too expensive to vary body design for standard class.