Virgin Trains (VTWC) new livery being introduced

[sufian123]

390104 is now back in service, any idea which unit has now gone to Widnes for its repaint?

390124

 

[59CosG95]

Shouldn't the "flowing silk" livery be so that there's red on the doors too, like the Class 800 and the Voyager had? It looks so much nicer on the Voyager with the continuous flow of red.

If the Virgin/Stagecoach/SNCF bid wins the WCP franchise, then they will be added.

 

[59CosG95]

390124 is now out & about; 390125 is currently at Widnes for its repaint.

 

[sd0733]

390125 now out and about in new white livery. Its still wearing Virgin Stagecoach names albeit now in stick on form.

 

[sd0733]

Seen 390126 out in the new livery last few days, 390127 is sitting outside at Widnes today fully painted, branded and numbered.

 

[sprinterguy]

I note that 390130 is running around with the nose cone, coupler hatch and headlight surrounds in the new livery on 69230 while the rest of the unit retains the old livery. I'm not sure if the effect is deliberate, but it gives the unit the look of having a Branson goatee.

Truly awful photo attached, apologies but it was grabbed quickly through the manky windows of a Voyager.

 

[LOL The Irony]

I note that 390130 is running around with the nose cone, coupler hatch and headlight surrounds in the new livery on 69230 while the rest of the unit retains the old livery. I'm not sure if the effect is deliberate, but it gives the unit the look of having a Branson goatee.

City of Edinburgh right? I have pic of it when I saw it at Manchester, it looked daft.

 

[driver_m]

I note that 390130 is running around with the nose cone, coupler hatch and headlight surrounds in the new livery on 69230 while the rest of the unit retains the old livery. I'm not sure if the effect is deliberate, but it gives the unit the look of having a Branson goatee.

Truly awful photo attached, apologies but it was grabbed quickly through the manky windows of a Voyager.

Thought I wasn't seeing things the other day. Must have had nose damage for that to happen. Hardly going to make it all match up when it's going in for a repaint in 4 weeks.

 

[Class455]

Any idea which Pendolino’s have been repainted recently?

 

[Peter0124]

Any idea which Pendolino’s have been repainted recently?

390128 has no window bands (looks like the original repaint on 9 car sets) and has its city of Preston nameplate in sticker form

 

[Class455]

390128 has no window bands (looks like the original repaint on 9 car sets) and has its city of Preston nameplate in sticker form

Any idea which one is in Widnes?

 

[Peter0124]

Any idea which one is in Widnes?

Not too sure just yet

 

[EE Andy b1]

Any idea which one is in Widnes?

129 or 130 or even 103 maybe. Just guessing though.

 

[Peter0124]

129 or 130 or even 103 maybe. Just guessing though.

I think its 129, I was on 103 Friday and also seen 130

 

[EE Andy b1]

I think its 129, I was on 103 Friday and also seen 130

Makes sense.
Still not sure why 103 is way out of sequence though.

 

[sufian123]

Makes sense.
Still not sure why 103 is way out of sequence though.

Depends when the heavy maintenance is needed.

 

[driver_m]

129 in at the moment. 103 is one of the last to be done for some unknown reason

 

[fowler9]

Ah well. It was fun while it lasted. I still don't think red vinyls on each end of a train count as a livery.

 

[EE Andy b1]

Ah well. It was fun while it lasted. I still don't think red vinyls on each end of a train count as a livery.

No, the full livery, flowing silk, would have been like 221101.

Who knows now what were going to end up with, eventually.

 

[Alasdair Clift]

No, the full livery, flowing silk, would have been like 221101.

Who knows now what were going to end up with, eventually.

First Barbie?

 

[Peter0124]

Blue pendolinos

 

[59CosG95]

Blue pendolinos

Not necessarily blue. Depends what FirstGroup/Trenitalia or MTR/Guangshen/Renfe decide to do with them.

 

[LOL The Irony]

Not necessarily blue. Depends what FirstGroup/Trenitalia or MTR/Guangshen/Renfe decide to do with them.

It has to go to tender first, which it may never will. First are trying to save money and MTR are under investigation in Hong Kong for corruption. And we can't forget that Virgin and/or Stagecoach could still go to court about this.

No, the full livery, flowing silk, would have been like 221101.

Who knows now what were going to end up with, eventually.

Exactly. It's a complete unkown at this point and possibly worth a thread on Speculative Ideas.

 

[EE Andy b1]

One thing is for sure, this Class 390 repaint into an interim Virgin livery should be complete before the next TOC (train Operating Company) takes charge, whoever that might be, MTR, First or Government.

I am biased and i know everything was not perfect with VTWC (Virgin Trains West Coast) especially the last few years (Stagecoach), but i think we are going to miss what is probably one of the better run TOCs on UK railways today.

So let's now look forward to a new era as the WCP (West Coast Partnership) under the brand of LMS (London, Midland & Scottish Railway).

 

[whhistle]

So let's now look forward to a new era as the WCP (West Coast Partnership) under the brand of LMS (London, Midland & Scottish Railway).

Has this been confirmed anywhere?
Or is it just a guess?

 

[EE Andy b1]

Has this been confirmed anywhere?
Or is it just a guess?

Not a guess but not confirmed!

Stagecoach/Virgin may take action yet so might not even change for a while. Time will tell but the trains will still operate and 390s will still be repainted.

 

[whhistle]

Not a guess but not confirmed!

Where has the name LMS been confirmed as the new WCP brand?
Please provide a link as I'd like to read the background info.
Thanks

 

[PR1Berske]

Where has the name LMS been confirmed as the new WCP brand?
Please provide a link as I'd like to read the background info.
Thanks

It hasn't.

 

[EE Andy b1]

It hasn't.

Correct!

I can see it in the stars.

LMS Operated by ...

 

[EE Andy b1]

390129 is now out and at Euston with its fresh coat of paint.