You can't be talking about GWR then, who still have some BR Alphabet signs along their network, as well as a pick'n'mix of Wales & Borders, Wales & West and Wessex Trains signage on most stations west of Pewsey and south of Bristol Temple Meads.
There is of course, the chance that Virgin have licenced the brand to First Trenitalia, which would be a nice surprise, and that the vinyls are being removed in favour of paint or a new Virgin vinyl which says “A First Trenitalia operation” underneath?
The majority I see around the country, not just in the west, are labels stuck over the same physical previous sign. Often if you view from the right angle you can see the old lettering underneath.
That should be a no-brainer (standardisation I mean, not the SWT version in particular). However much you are in favour of competition between TOCs, there ought to be an identity for the national network which is generally recognisable. Even the double-arrow symbol has been sidelined in some places. Arriving at a strange station in unfamiliar territory it should be immediately obvious what its name is.
It's a private event, but not at New Street or Grand Central.
I really do disagree. One of my earliest experiences of Virgin was travelling back from uni on a pretty much brand new Pendolino. It happened to be Red Nose Day, and the Train Manager was including jokes in his announcment, and encouraging people to stop by the shop and make a donation. Little touches like that, the cheerful staff, the 'not taking everything too seriously' attitude is what has made them stand out to me - and I know other - from other train companies. At the end of the day, a train service is a train service and all a TOC can really do to stand out is customer service, something which Virgin have done brilliantly.
Embargoed press releases came out a while ago. The emargo is tomorrow evening. Having seen one, I can't think of anything relevant to this thread that won't be public knowledge by the end of the day tomorrow.
I don't think they do. Just because you're an adult doesn't mean you can't have fun... and just because you work for a train company doesn't mean you aren't allowed a sense of humour.
390123 now plain white
Just like Stagecoach and Arriva then.
