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First Trenitalia (Avanti!) WCML branding, naming and livery

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sprinterguy

sprinterguy

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Ladder23 said:
I’m looking forward to seeing the livery’s start rolling out, any idea when I can expect to see them
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There'll be one train reliveried for the launch special which departs London Euston at 10:33 on Monday morning:
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/S03423/2019-12-09/detailed
C J Snarzell said:
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I went for a job with Virgin Trains at their talent academy in Crewe earlier this year and there is a retired locomotive decorated in the Virgin colours that sits behind the main building for visitors to enter. I'm wondering whether Avanti will take over this site and what will become of this cherished possession?
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I can't remember there being a loco there: There's two undamaged Pendolino vehicles from 390033 "City of Glasgow" which was involved in the Grayrigg derailment that are now used for staff training, I didn't think they were usually accessible.

I've not heard whether Avanti are retaining the same training facilities, though it would seem a shame to lose a dedicated facility like that. I wonder if those two Pendo vehicles are, in fact, owned by Virgin themselves since being written off?
 
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gka472l

gka472l

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C J Snarzell said:
Very sad day for the railway industry considering Virgin Trains have been around for so long. I live near Wigan and the town's multiplex cinema which was built in 1996 was originally run by Virgin when it first opened (it has been a few different names over the last two decades). They sold Virgin branded cola too back then! (is this no longer available?) I also fondly remember the Virgin Megastores in Liverpool and Manchester where I regularly bought my CDs and they too have sadly long gone - I remember they were taken over by another company who's name began with 'Z' but they didn't last too long.

The Virgin Train site is still up and running but I have a feeling it will be taken down imminently.

I went for a job with Virgin Trains at their talent academy in Crewe earlier this year and there is a retired locomotive decorated in the Virgin colours that sits behind the main building for visitors to enter. I'm wondering whether Avanti will take over this site and what will become of this cherished possession?

CJ
Click to expand...

That's two of the cars from the disbanded 390033 behind the 'talent academy' which are used for staff training (this was the set involved in the derailment at Grayrigg back in 2007)
 
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thesjd

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sprinterguy said:
There'll be one train reliveried for the launch special which departs London Euston at 10:33 on Monday morning:
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/S03423/2019-12-09/detailed

I can't remember there being a loco there: There's two undamaged Pendolino vehicles from 390033 "City of Glasgow" which was involved in the Grayrigg derailment that are now used for staff training, I didn't think they were usually accessible.

I've not heard whether Avanti are retaining the same training facilities, though it would seem a shame to lose a dedicated facility like that. I wonder if those two Pendo vehicles are, in fact, owned by Virgin themselves since being written off?
Click to expand...

The Talent Academy in Crewe is staying as they have Thomas Cook hiring roadshows there next week. In fact, they are opening more training centres around the AWC route in the future. Not sure whats happening with the Pendolino set currently in the car park although I believe a dialogue has opened up between the two parties on what to do with it next. Trying to find a balance of historic preservation and practicality...
 
RealTrains07

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Bit unnecessary for avanti branding to pop up now while virgin are still running?!? Cant that be done tomorrow??
 
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Clip

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RealTrains07 said:
Bit unnecessary for avanti branding to pop up now while virgin are still running?!? Cant that be done tomorrow??
Click to expand...

Whats the issue then? It takes time and effort to do all this stuff so whats wrong with it being done now?
 
sprinterguy

sprinterguy

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SansHache said:
Two trains hopefully, both departing Euston Monday morning. One will be a service train to Manchester and will also visit Liverpool later in the day.
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Ah, thought I'd heard something about a second train, but wasn't sure.

Makes me think back to the launch of the Virgin West Coast franchise in March 1997, with 90002 repainted and named "Mission: Impossible", leading a matching reliveried mark 3 rake out of Euston. Feels like part of a different world compared to the West Coast main line of today!
 
14xxDave

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Apparently Hitachi have won the contract for the new trains for this franchise according to the Newcastle Chronicle. But I and the Chronicle may be late to this party!
 
xc170

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Currently at BHM International, avanti timetables are available but still plenty of VT branding around, same at New St.
 
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boxy321

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Pendolinos are great looking machines. I remember being with friends heading down to Euston, them fearful like rollercoaster riders when the tilt got going properly. With the right wind, I can hear them leave Coventry station with the noise of the electrics and fans kicking in. Far better than the horrible sound of a 350 sounding like a 323 doing the Crazy Frog noise. Last year, I waited at Harrow and Wealdstone as they accelerated north and it is amazing - the difference between being on one and standing on a platform with them going by. Bloody seats are bust half the time now though - enforced recline!!! I'll report this on Trip Advisor.....
 
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