Could we see a new livery for LNER's retained '225s'? What would you like to see?

[achmelvic]

If there’s going to be 225 sets around for another 3-4yrs I hope they’ll get a repaint along with an internal tlc. Was never a fan of the VTEC swirl, much prefer the LNER livery on the Azuma’s, I wonder that that would look like on 91/Mk4’s?

 

[hexagon789]

If there’s going to be 225 sets around for another 3-4yrs I hope they’ll get a repaint along with an internal tlc. Was never a fan of the VTEC swirl, much prefer the LNER livery on the Azuma’s, I wonder that that would look like on 91/Mk4’s?

I thought the Azuma scheme was what VTEC would've used but simply with 'LNER' branding instead.

 

[Speed43125]

I thought the Azuma scheme was what VTEC would've used but simply with 'LNER' branding instead.

I was under the impression VTEC were planning on this minus some of the extra text.
https://www.stevenknightmedia.com/t...uma-makes-its-entrance-at-kings-cross-station

 

[hexagon789]

I was under the impression VTEC were planning on this minus some of the extra text.
https://www.stevenknightmedia.com/t...uma-makes-its-entrance-at-kings-cross-station

Not that dissimilar really. Either way I think there is a better chance of one set getting Swallow than the fleet gaining a new livery.

 

[43 302]

Not that dissimilar really. Either way I think there is a better chance of one set getting Swallow than the fleet gaining a new livery.

That sounds better, that set could then be used for the certain farewell tour.

 

[hexagon789]

That sounds better, that set could then be used for the certain farewell tour.

Well they did such a good job with the 125s, you'd hope they'd give a similarly fitting send off to the 225s.

 

[coradiafan2000]

If there’s going to be 225 sets around for another 3-4yrs I hope they’ll get a repaint along with an internal tlc. Was never a fan of the VTEC swirl, much prefer the LNER livery on the Azuma’s, I wonder that that would look like on 91/Mk4’s?

I'm of the opposite opinion. I think the VTEC swirl is my favourite of the liveries they've worn (that'll upset the intercity purists).

I think the livery on Azumas is fine, but I think it's kinda boring in the intermediate coaches, it looks better at the front.

 

[VT 390]

If they are only around for another few years it seems a waste of Money to re livery as the current one is not that bad, also the interior is quite good now, I prefer it to the 800/801 interiors.

 

[Kurolus Rex]

Bit undecided on the VTEC livery really. Looked awful on the HSTs (imo) but doesn't look quite so bad on the 225s. They look quite nice from the sides but overall i would argue they look better in a more understated but smart livery.

 

[pdeaves]

In my 'money is no object' fantasy world I would like to see the 91s/Mk4s in a 'heritage' LNER livery (blue engine with 'teak-look' coaches or similar).

Back in the real world, I think they will be patched up as-is.

 

[ScotTrains]

My favourite was the GNER livery, followed by Intercity. I thought NXEC and EC liveries were rather dull and bland.

Virgin repainted their 47s into various heritage liveries before they were replaced, so perhaps we could have a few differently livered 225 sets.

 

[alexl92]

I think the Virgin/LNER livery is absolutely dire. The shade of red on the 91s and Mk4s cheapens them and the swishing does it no favours. Would love to see a livery using a base colour similar to Express Passenger blue, but with lighter coloured lining. That or something green and cream, similar to LNER tourist stock, but a modern take. A teak vinyl on MK4s would look terrible and age very quickly unfortunately.

 

[Speed43125]

I think the Virgin/LNER livery is absolutely dire. The shade of red on the 91s and Mk4s cheapens them and the swishing does it no favours. Would love to see a livery using a base colour similar to Express Passenger blue, but with lighter coloured lining. That or something green and cream, similar to LNER tourist stock, but a modern take. A teak vinyl on MK4s would look terrible and age very quickly unfortunately.

My issue with recreating liveries from the past is the contrasting doors usually don't suit it. IC swallow or some of the whiter varieties of NSE livery (a la 442, 321 etc) look great, but that style of body length stripes interrupted by doors would look pretty poor to me, The virgin livery was fine IMO, but the red has since faded and as you say has a weathered cheapened look. The idea of blue stripes on the 1st coaches that fade in and out I think is good, but isn't as nice as on the shinkansens that I see it as inspired by because of the interrupting doors.

 

[NoMorePacers]

I'm of the opposite opinion. I think the VTEC swirl is my favourite of the liveries they've worn (that'll upset the intercity purists).

I think the livery on Azumas is fine, but I think it's kinda boring in the intermediate coaches, it looks better at the front.

VTEC is second only to NXEC imo (I'd pay to have a full set painted in that).

GNER is pretty bland in comparison.

 

[hexagon789]

If they are only around for another few years it seems a waste of Money to re livery as the current one is not that bad, also the interior is quite good now, I prefer it to the 800/801 interiors.

Yes, and that's why I doubt they will get a repaint other than a potential last minute Swallow repaint for a send-off tour

 

[hexagon789]

VTEC is second only to NXEC imo (I'd pay to have a full set painted in that).

GNER is pretty bland in comparison.

GNER was the best of all the post-privitisation ECML operator liveries. NatEx was okay, East Coast grey was exactly that - grey

 

[Doomotron]

What about a lightly more 'square' version of the Azuma livery?

Alternatively, why don't we celbrate the lives of these trains by repainting each in a different livery from each operator, with the branding done similarly to the originals, but it says LNER instead?

• Obviously one in Swallow, with LNER written in the same font as IC. I'd make the doors red for the regulations.
• GNER, but with the G replaced with an L.
• NXEC with the National Express branding replaced with something like 'londonnortheasternrailway'.
• East Coast 'battleship grey' with LNER in the same font as the East Coast logos.
• VTEC/LNER livery, as it already is.

I don't know how many are staying, so maybe these as well?

• NXEC transitional livery (the blue with the white stripe) - the LNER logos would be in the stripe, like with NXEC.
• 'Fictional' Azuma livery (Virgin)
• The current Azuma livery.
• Maybe BR Blue for the fun of it?

 

[VT 390]

Yes, and that's why I doubt they will get a repaint other than a potential last minute Swallow repaint for a send-off tour

I agree having one set with the original Swallow Livery would be good similar to what they did with the HST but would not cost a lot compared to doing the whole lot.

 

[coradiafan2000]

What about a lightly more 'square' version of the Azuma livery?

Alternatively, why don't we celbrate the lives of these trains by repainting each in a different livery from each operator, with the branding done similarly to the originals, but it says LNER instead?

• Obviously one in Swallow, with LNER written in the same font as IC. I'd make the doors red for the regulations.
• GNER, but with the G replaced with an L.
• NXEC with the National Express branding replaced with something like 'londonnortheasternrailway'.
• East Coast 'battleship grey' with LNER in the same font as the East Coast logos.
• VTEC/LNER livery, as it already is.

I don't know how many are staying, so maybe these as well?

• NXEC transitional livery (the blue with the white stripe) - the LNER logos would be in the stripe, like with NXEC.
• 'Fictional' Azuma livery (Virgin)
• The current Azuma livery.
• Maybe BR Blue for the fun of it?

That would be awesome. So it won't happen.

 

[hexagon789]

I agree having one set with the original Swallow Livery would be good similar to what they did with the HST but would not cost a lot compared to doing the whole lot.

They could even cut costs further by doing a shorter set of 7 rather than 9 coaches + DVT, in a similar vein to the HST repaint.

What about a lightly more 'square' version of the Azuma livery?

Alternatively, why don't we celbrate the lives of these trains by repainting each in a different livery from each operator, with the branding done similarly to the originals, but it says LNER instead?

• Obviously one in Swallow, with LNER written in the same font as IC. I'd make the doors red for the regulations.
• GNER, but with the G replaced with an L.
• NXEC with the National Express branding replaced with something like 'londonnortheasternrailway'.
• East Coast 'battleship grey' with LNER in the same font as the East Coast logos.
• VTEC/LNER livery, as it already is.

I don't know how many are staying, so maybe these as well?

• NXEC transitional livery (the blue with the white stripe) - the LNER logos would be in the stripe, like with NXEC.
• 'Fictional' Azuma livery (Virgin)
• The current Azuma livery.
• Maybe BR Blue for the fun of it?

You've been busy!

 

[NoMorePacers]

They could even cut costs further by doing a shorter set of 7 rather than 9 coaches + DVT, in a similar vein to the HST repaint.

And just have the last 2 coaches left in VTEC livery in the consist?

 

[hexagon789]

And just have the last 2 coaches left in VTEC livery in the consist?

Not quite

 

[YorksLad12]

GNER was the best of all the post-privitisation ECML operator liveries. NatEx was okay, East Coast grey was exactly that - grey

The GNER 'stealth bomber' livery worked best on the 373 White Rose sets, probably because of the swept end on the units. I can't remember if it was the NatEx or East Coast off-cream livery, but they had red passenger doors on the electrics, deep grey doors on slam doors. Handy if you wanted to tell them apart from a distance!

As I recall, the HST sets that MML will be using won't be repainted, so you'll still see VTEC colours on the network.

 

[hexagon789]

As I recall, the HST sets that MML will be using won't be repainted, so you'll still see VTEC colours on the network.

Just replacing the 'LNER' branding with 'EMR' then?

 

[randyrippley]

Something classic like the white/blue livery of the later Blue Pullmans

 

[Speed43125]

Just replacing the 'LNER' branding with 'EMR' then?

Yes, although rumours seem to be one set will be painted into full EMR Intercity purple livery

 

[hexagon789]

Yes, although rumours seem to be one set will be painted into full EMR Intercity purple livery

I'd like to see that! Even if just literally to see how it looks more than anything else!