The death of Alpha-line livery

[Failed Unit]

I was wondering if we are finally about to begin to see the end of in my opinion one of the worse liveries in history. The Wales&Boarders alphaline livery.

Travelling around the UK recently I discovered that 158871 is now in full Scotrail livery so Scotrail are beginning to get rid of it (I think 868, 869 and 870 still carry it). The only way I could tell in Northern land was the fact the 158's still had Chapman seats. FGW and EMT have repainted all 158's. Does this mean that it can now only be seen on ATW and with the refurbishment program about to take place not for much longer either?

Any other liveries that people will be glad to see the back of?

 

[PaintYourWagon]

158870 is already in ScotRail Saltire livery - only 868 & 869 remain.

158867 is due out of Glasgow works on 3rd October.

 

[NSEFAN]

I quite liked the alphaline livery. I'm impressed that on a modern railway keen on maintaining an image, such liveries keep going long after a TOC is removed. It's like the Network Southeast colours: there's STILL the odd piece of signage carrying it, despite over well 10 years of privatisation.

I'll be glad with the pink/purple scotrail livery is replaced with the new blue and white. I don't think it suits the units, especially not the 170s.

 

[causton]

It's like the Network Southeast colours: there's STILL the odd piece of signage carrying it, despite over well 10 years of privatisation.

Odd piece of signage? You've never been down the tunnel on the Northern City Line between Moorgate and Finsbury Park! There's loads! (and a reference to Network Rail instead of National Rail at one of the stations :P )

 

[Aictos]

NSEFAN:

I disagree on the First view you posted above as I believe the First Barbie livery actually quite suits the trains in operation by FSR especially the 170s,

Not too keen on the Saltire livery, looks neat but it's not for me.

As to the OP's view on the Alphaline livery, I couldn't see anyhting wrong with it.

 

[chris89]

I shall miss seeing that Liverly First time i went up to scotland in a long time was supprised to see them and made me feel 'homely' after seeing them in the southwest a lot.

But got to say the new liverly does look smart but 'Barbie' Looks best on the 170's in my opioin and not that bad on 158's either.

Chris

 

[NSEFAN]

Odd piece of signage? You've never been down the tunnel on the Northern City Line between Moorgate and Finsbury Park! There's loads! (and a reference to Network Rail instead of National Rail at one of the stations

I know about those ones. Good old TfL initiative at work

I'm told they don't like putting stickers over things on LUL, as it's a fire risk.

I disagree on the First view you posted above as I believe the First Barbie livery actually quite suits the trains in operation by FSR especially the 170s,

Not too keen on the Saltire livery, looks neat but it's not for me.

We can agree to disagree then :P

 

[Aictos]

I know about those ones. Good old TfL initiative at work

I'm told they don't like putting stickers over things on LUL, as it's a fire risk.



We can agree to disagree then :P

Agreed!

 

[sprinterguy]

Yes it seems that the remnants of Wales & West/Borders/Wessex Trains “Alphaline” livery will only be with us a little longer. I’m quite pleased, as the debranded plain silver-grey colour that the remaining 158s carrying the livery are in has to be one of the most uninspiring treatments of a railway vehicle ever.

It’s never been one of my favourite liveries, but I was impressed when the decision to split Wales and West into “Wales and Borders” and “Wessex Trains” was matched with the decision to have a similar corporate livery for both franchises, with just subtle colour changes (Maroon for Wessex and the W&W blue for Borders). I also liked the way the design actually incorporated the yellow front as part of the livery, which is a nice touch when it happens.

 

[trentside]

I must admit to quite liking the "Alphaline" livery. It's just a shame that I now associate it with the vile conditions that ex-"Alphaline" EMT sets were in just prior to refurbishment.

 

[talltim]

DaFT obviously thought it was a good livery, they chose it for East Coast (minus the distinctive bit)!

 

[monkey]

DaFT obviously thought it was a good livery, they chose it for East Coast (minus the distinctive bit)!

 

[lm321412]

I like the livery, much smarter than some of the god awful liveries we've had since privitisation:

Valley Lines - absolutely disgusting
Scotrail (NX) - Yet again disgusting
SouthEastern Trains - bland
SouthEastern - bland
Connex - bland

Horrible liveries!

 

[sprinterguy]

Each to their own, I'm a big fan of both the Valley Lines and old Scotrail "swoosh" liveries. They were both very distinct liveries that had clear links to a heritage.

Agree that Connex liveries were awful though!

 

[90019]

Each to their own, I'm a big fan of both the Valley Lines and old Scotrail "swoosh" liveries. They were both very distinct liveries that had clear links to a heritage.

I'm not a fan of the Valley Lines livery, but I always kinda liked the ScotRail livery, in a way because it was a bit odd.

 

[Greenback]

I don;t normally care what colours the train is, as long as it turns up, but I thought the Valleys livery was very distinctive!