Virgin Trains (VTWC) new livery being introduced

[CosherB]

Looks more white than grey.

For once, I'll agree with you regarding black banding around the windows, or lack of it in this case.

 

[Bletchleyite]

All over white just looks cheap, just as it does on vans and buses (because they are supplied white so it shouts out one[1] of "we can't be bothered liverying it properly" or (factual in this case) "we aren't going to have this for long").

If it was silver-grey it might almost work - the old Wales and West Alphaline 158 livery was silver-grey without a window band.

But yes, this looks awful if it is indeed "Thameslink" off-white. (You only get away with no window band on that livery because the windows are huge - just like Southern Electrostars, for example).

[1] I note that the new Greenline London-Luton coaches are white with some stickers rather than properly liveried. I'm guessing that service will be withdrawn soon, then...that, or a new Arriva Express livery will replace Greenline.

 

[sprinterguy]

If it was silver-grey it might almost work - the old Wales and West Alphaline 158 livery was silver-grey without a window band.

That scheme worked well in a full livery application, but it looked terribly drab in unbranded and uncared form when the units became part of the ATW franchise, which is more akin to how the intermediate vehicles of the Pendolinos will look (I agree that this is a very disappointing livery).

It does bring the Pendolinos quite closely in line with the appearance of the almost all white Azuma trains, though.

 

[whhistle]

More pictures:

 

[E_Reeves]

The nameplate isn't a physical one anymore?

 

[Domh245]

The nameplate isn't a physical one anymore?

Nope, looks like a sticker to me. I do wonder if a number of them will be renamed in this process to give them a more generic name. Virgin Pioneer might become "West Coast Pioneer" for example?

 

[Crossforth]

Nope, looks like a sticker to me. I do wonder if a number of them will be renamed in this process to give them a more generic name. Virgin Pioneer might become "West Coast Pioneer" for example?

I wonder if they will auction off the physical ones like they did when Virgin XC finished

 

[southernyoshi]

Does that mean Virgin on the WCML is done for? Do they know something we don't about the franchise award?

 

[Agent_Squash]

Does that mean Virgin on the WCML is done for? Do they know something we don't about the franchise award?

The units needed a repaint. It’s easier to do it into an interim livery just incase.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I guess the vinyl nameplates are for ease of removal. I think the originals were glued, so would muck up the paint. (There are certainly no visible screws/bolts).

 

[cyclebytrain]

I'm curious, there are a lot of new coaches added to extend the 9s to 11s (and the 4 new ones) that (presumably) have paint that'd be good for a lot longer than the original coaches. Are the new coaches being repainted early too?

 

[XCTurbostar]

I believe they're going as complete sets although it is interesting to note that the list in post #80 doesn't include an 11 coach pendolino this year.

Thanks,
Ross

 

[dk1]

Hell that looks smart. That ribbon effect really looks classy. Glad they kept the pleasing front end look. I find the cast iron nameplates often look a bit grubby so probably wallpaper will add to the appearance in time. All in all I'm chuffed as always been a fan of the VTWC livery & missed the stripey doors.

 

[Carntyne]

I'm curious, there are a lot of new coaches added to extend the 9s to 11s (and the 4 new ones) that (presumably) have paint that'd be good for a lot longer than the original coaches. Are the new coaches being repainted early too?

You'd assume so. It'd mean the paint would then have the same "age" throughout the fleet for future repairs.

 

[CosherB]

If Virgin win the next franchise, it's not a large leap to transform the 390s into something more akin to the 'Azuma' livery with additional red vinyls.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UChM0kj8m94 Not mine.

 

[capital12]

Doesn't that look awful, the other livery worked because it complemented the architecture of the train - that, err, doesn't.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I don't mind the Azuma livery - the window band makes a huge difference.

 

[capital12]

I don't mind the Azuma livery - the window band makes a huge difference.

I thought the IET (refuse to use the A word!) looked a million times better in the Pendolino style livery mock up that was produced when they took over East Coast.

 

[Harbornite]

I thought the IET (refuse to use the A word!) looked a million times better in the Pendolino style livery mock up that was produced when they took over East Coast.

I agree that it looked better.

 

[thetangoman]

Has 390010 been released into service yet

 

[Darandio]

Has 390010 been released into service yet

Surely not without some huge fanfare at Euston?

It might only be a simple livery change but this is Virgin we are talking about here. Maybe they are waiting for Richard Branson to fix the Caribbean first?

 

[CosherB]

Has 390010 been released into service yet

It's on the move ....

https://mark5812.smugmug.com/Trains-2017/September-2017/i-5rzXhdF Not mine.

 

[Darandio]

Seems to be on a run from Edge Hill to Crewe and back. Might be to see if the vinyls are holding......

 

[dk1]

 

[PR1Berske]

That most recent photo does look as though the red is a curtain stuck in a window!

 

[DJH1971]

Doesn't look right at all

 

[XCTurbostar]

It would look right if there was more to it.. like a black window surround.

Also, are the Pendolino headlights compliant to GM/RT2131?

Thanks,
Ross

 

[Bletchleyite]

View attachment 35020

It looks less rubbish on that picture.

 

[CosherB]

It would look right if there was more to it.. like a black window surround.

Also, are the Pendolino headlights compliant to GM/RT2131?

Thanks,
Ross

No. Let's not have a colour palette debate again.

 

[dk1]

It looks less rubbish on that picture.

Could do with a little more round saloon windows but I feel it has a touch of class about it.