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

[Worldwide]

 

[omnicity4659]

Does anyone have the drawings of the Avanti livery or the brand guidelines? Interested to see what it looks like in depth!

 

[yorkie]

Loss of seat selector!

You can select seats at www.trainsplit.com

 

[Oxfordblues]

BBC News are reporting that the last Virgin-operated train will be the "9:42" from Euston to Birmingham this evening. Presumably Radio Four listeners wouldn't understand if they'd said "21:42"!

 

[Hazlehead]

There still seem to be Voyagers running around in Virgin red (without titles).

There was only one voyager that ever had a different paint job so the others will be like this just without the Virgin logos on. They may get some kind of Avanti branding I'm sure but not a full paint/vinyl job

 

[Worldwide]

BBC News are reporting that the last Virgin-operated train will be the "9:42" from Euston to Birmingham this evening. Presumably Radio Four listeners wouldn't understand if they'd said "21:42"!

Are these last trains still in virgin livery.

 

[Mathew S]

Are these last trains still in virgin livery.

Pretty sure it'll be a Pendolino, so no.

 

[CentralTrainer]

Just on the service out of Birmingham to Wolverhampton - the on board automated announcements have already been stripped of the references to Virgin Trains on the welcome to this service for section

 

[rdlover777]

Does anyone have the drawings of the Avanti livery or the brand guidelines? Interested to see what it looks like in depth!

i made ones based on the then released concept art

 

[66Yorks]

Nice livery.

Here it is:

View attachment 71267

 

[Realfish]

On my Pendolino service this evening, on one of the vestibule ends, the CCTV notice had been replaced and now reads: ''CCTV is controlled by First Trenitalia West Coast Railway Company. For further information contact 0345 *** ****''. That's the first onboard branding I've seen.

 

[Scotrail314209]

Let’s just say the crew of 1S90 have had an eventful one,

Lots of troublemakers boarded at Lancaster, held at oxenholme and Carlisle, Carlisle stop required BTP attendance.

390118 as my final VT bash.

 

[RealTrains07]

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

I mean the announcements and things on that sort of level. Just a bit unecessary when the other operator is still operating

 

[RealTrains07]

Just on the service out of Birmingham to Wolverhampton - the on board automated announcements have already been stripped of the references to Virgin Trains on the welcome to this service for section

Noticed that yesterday too and at stations

 

[Steddenm]

Last journey for me tonight with VT. No seat covers in First Class, no auto announcements, staff PA with "your last ever Virgin Trains service to...", great freebies on board: little Pandolino shaped boxes of jelly beans, chocolate coins, badges and t-shirts.

Staff made the train feel special, all sad though that the "red comes to an end". Staff were all sent mini Pandolino models too over the past couple of days.

Oddly the QR code on VT passes came up as out of date when scanned today. Avanti pass scanned fine.

 

[joshy.fre_2003]

Currently on 1B44, the last passenger VT arrival into Euston. Train was super quiet from Wolves but it seems half the urban polutafuon of Birmingham have piled on at New Street! No hope of upgrading all passengers to first, as was speculated by members.

Update: It’s more of a ‘mass migration to Coventry’ service!

 

[Scotrail314209]

Currently on 1B44, the last passenger VT arrival into Euston. Train was super quiet from Wolves but it seems half the urban polutafuon of Birmingham have piled on at New Street! No hope of upgrading all passengers to first, as was speculated by members.

Update: It’s more of a ‘mass migration to Coventry’ service!

We had similar at Lancaster, seemed like half the population of Lancashire had boarded, thankfully it was an 11.

 

[Hadders]

Loads of Virgin staff at Euston tonight, all wearing Virgin uniform and badges, some with banners, selfies being taken for posterity. The 2142 final departure left full and standing, I got on the 2148 unadvertised service. Lots of announcements about it being the final Virgin Train. Time of my life played over the PA!

The staff genuinely seem very sad to see Virgin go. I’ve never seen a staff turn out like this for the passing of any other TOC.

 

[ElectroSoldier]

I bet Branson sets up an open access London - Liverpool route to augment the LNwR servce that keeps getting the shaft.

 

[Energy]

Virgin knew that they needed great staff so they treated them well, you don't really hear about strikes, and any which happen seem to either have a minority support or get called of, or both. That is probably why so many are sad to see Virgin go, considering that First group don't seem to be as good with staff looking at the strikes on other franchises...

 

[Mathew S]

The staff genuinely seem very sad to see Virgin go. I’ve never seen a staff turn out like this for the passing of any other TOC.

All the staff I've spoken to - and I've made a point of it over the last few months - have seemed genuinely sad about it, as you say. And the outpouring of support for VT on social media, from 'normal' customers, is something I've seen with no other TOC ever. Shows what a good job they've done over the last 22 years.

 

[Realfish]

The staff genuinely seem very sad to see Virgin go. I’ve never seen a staff turn out like this for the passing of any other TOC.

'Gutted', said one I spoke to, 'a really sad day', said another. Another felt angry that the DfT had completely ignored and discounted VT's customer service record. The amount of engagement that a staff has with their employer (and vice versa) matters a lot and reflects in the service customers get. Virgin got it right. I hope that FT are able to recreate this. I think that senior managers have TUPE'd across too, so hopefully things will be OK.

 

[Worldwide]

All the staff I've spoken to - and I've made a point of it over the last few months - have seemed genuinely sad about it, as you say. And the outpouring of support for VT on social media, from 'normal' customers, is something I've seen with no other TOC ever. Shows what a good job they've done over the last 22 years.

My OH was in tears the other night came home saying god I’ve just done my final virgin Trains announcement

 

[Energy]

I wonder what the brand launch will be like, so many people miss Virgin and other First group franchises aren't known to be the best so you can't really do the usual 'everything is great, that operator was terrible but we are great'

 

[Energy]

My OH was in tears the other night came home saying god I’ve just done my final virgin Trains announcement

The fact the staff are this upset that Virgin's style wasn't forced into them, Virgin Trains became something which the staff were happy to be a part off.

 

[Hadders]

We won’t see a staff turn like that out at Euston on when the time comes for First Trenitalia to operate their final train.

 

[rdlover777]

Last journey for me tonight with VT. No seat covers in First Class, no auto announcements, staff PA with "your last ever Virgin Trains service to...", great freebies on board: little Pandolino shaped boxes of jelly beans, chocolate coins, badges and t-shirts.

Staff made the train feel special, all sad though that the "red comes to an end". Staff were all sent mini Pandolino models too over the past couple of days.

Oddly the QR code on VT passes came up as out of date when scanned today. Avanti pass scanned fine.

didn't GNER do a similer thing with chocolate coins on there last day?

 

[RealTrains07]

Last journey for me tonight with VT. No seat covers in First Class, no auto announcements, staff PA with "your last ever Virgin Trains service to...", great freebies on board: little Pandolino shaped boxes of jelly beans, chocolate coins, badges and t-shirts.

Staff made the train feel special, all sad though that the "red comes to an end". Staff were all sent mini Pandolino models too over the past couple of days.

Oddly the QR code on VT passes came up as out of date when scanned today. Avanti pass scanned fine.

Wish their were free virgin t shirts tomorrow could do with one.

Came down to london on my final virgin, i go home tomorrow on my first avanti

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

The final Manchester (1H76) service seems to have given up at Stockport.
"Due to a problem with the train".

The final two Wolverhamptons (9G47, 1T47) are on the last lap from Birmingham.
I shall miss Virgin Trains.

 

[Gadget88]

I don’t get all the sadness about Virgin coming to an end. The East coast line is brilliant under LNER I expect the West coast line will improve greatly.