WMTrains livery and station branding

[59CosG95]

Yes, but there is no certainty (or requirement) for the next TOC to actually adopt them, unlike ScotRail. It's just at their cost if they don't.

What they basically ruled out was the use of the likes of "First x", "Stagecoach X", "Arriva X", "Virgin X" etc unless the company paid the full costs of removing it *and* providing a replacement generic brand.

My personal take is that the current LN(W)R livery/branding is similar to the WMR branding as they're operated by the same parent company at present. Of course, the WMR branding may yet change again if TfWM change their minds again, but that seems likely to be the long-term branding.

 

[Bletchleyite]

My personal take is that the current LN(W)R livery/branding is similar to the WMR branding as they're operated by the same parent company at present.

It is, which probably saved a quid or three. But the requirement written into all new franchises (I believe) is that the branding must be able to be passed as-is to the next TOC. They don't have to use it, but any changes to it are at the new TOC's cost. As an alternative the incumbent can use a branding they aren't willing to pass on, but if they do it's fully at *their* cost to remove it and replace it with a viable new brand on the end of their franchise - and I don't just mean getting the electrical tape out.

 

[Bus1237]

I actually noticed at Olton that the new sign is just a sticker, you can still see the old network WM sign underneath! So is the new style a trial perhaps? Because I don't think a sticker is going to last for years and years...

 

[pt_mad]

I actually noticed at Olton that the new sign is just a sticker, you can still see the old network WM sign underneath! So is the new style a trial perhaps? Because I don't think a sticker is going to last for years and years...

Maybe a vinyl type commercial sign applied to the old metal LM signs? They do last. Many shops have these, including my local corner shop which has one over metal that's been up at least 5 years I'd say.

It wouldn't be too eco friendly to take down all the metal signs and replace with complete new metal just because the colours had changed. It's only the print changing after all?

 

[Bletchleyite]

Maybe a vinyl type commercial sign applied to the old metal LM signs? They do last. Many shops have these, including my local corner shop which has one over metal that's been up at least 5 years I'd say.

It wouldn't be too eco friendly to take down all the metal signs and replace with complete new metal just because the colours had changed. It's only the print changing after all?

True, the problem is that many TOC signs (and I forget if it's true of the LM ones) have the lettering embossed, so if you just stick a vinyl over the top, however hard-wearing, it's obvious that you've done it on the cheap.

 

[pt_mad]

True, the problem is that many TOC signs (and I forget if it's true of the LM ones) have the lettering embossed, so if you just stick a vinyl over the top, however hard-wearing, it's obvious that you've done it on the cheap.

Ahh yes perhaps some signs are enamelled.

Could it be the case from the poster's observation that the Network West Mids signs being covered up may be done with vinyl because they are white, and might be vinyl over metal already?
Covering black with white I could imagine might be more difficult. Perhaps those would need new signs.

 

[Chiltern006]

230 004 and 005 are now in the Marston Vale Livery

 

[sd0733]

I saw 350377 earlier, on of the centre coaches it now has some adverts for days out in Stratford upon Avon. Sorry couldn't get a pic.

 

[E_Reeves]

@59CosG95 Bedworth now has WMR station signage

 

[59CosG95]

@59CosG95 Bedworth now has WMR station signage

Ta muchly E.

 

[pt_mad]

I saw 350377 earlier, on of the centre coaches it now has some adverts for days out in Stratford upon Avon. Sorry couldn't get a pic.

Sounds cool. Was the whole coach vinyled up or window tops like the BTP version or something else?

 

[sd0733]

Sounds cool. Was the whole coach vinyled up or window tops like the BTP version or something else?

It's a little bit like the old Northern livery where they put adverts on the lighter purple bit. It was in the gaps between one of the W on the side. I'll try and get a pic if see it again

 

[pt_mad]

Someone has tweeted some photos of the branded class 230. Including a picture of the interior...

https://twitter.com/tobythetram/status/1093578062158016512

 

[brwmly]

I actually noticed at Olton that the new sign is just a sticker, you can still see the old network WM sign underneath! So is the new style a trial perhaps? Because I don't think a sticker is going to last for years and years...

And yet no one has still taken a photo of it so the rest of us can see.

 

[Chiltern006]

323 217 is out of the depot with PRM mods. Seen on twitter today

 

[ForTheLoveOf]

View attachment 59532 View attachment 59533 View attachment 59534 323 217 is out of the depot with PRM mods. Seen on twitter today

Very nice, though a shame that they didn't update the lighting to LEDs. That, in particular, really ages the look. Oh well, they'll only be in service a few more years. I wonder whether the replacements will be as fast in accelerating!

 

[centraltrains]

Not those strange blue and yellow text screens ;(
There is so much potential for screens like that, yet they insist on making them look like a BSOD.

 

[samuelmorris]

Is this because they're full colour LCDs being driven by the same PIS controller as the old LED dot matrixes?

 

[physics34]

View attachment 59532 View attachment 59533 View attachment 59534 323 217 is out of the depot with PRM mods. Seen on twitter today

havent ridden many 323s....is there another toilet (standard one) behind that new disabled toilet? Looks like there is room for one.

 

[TH172341]

Don't think this has been mentioned but the 172s are having LED interior lighting fitted. Quite a few of the 172/3s now out with it (172335, 172340 and 172341 all have them). Certainly at night noticeably brighter inside although the as fitted lighting before was decent!

 

[anamyd]

Is this because they're full colour LCDs being driven by the same PIS controller as the old LED dot matrixes?

I don't know but I like your thinking, reminds me of one 158 with the dot matrix destination displays running off the original controller, and buses with an LED / flipdot mishmash all working due to being the same brand.

 

[anamyd]

Very nice, though a shame that they didn't update the lighting to LEDs. That, in particular, really ages the look. Oh well, they'll only be in service a few more years. I wonder whether the replacements will be as fast in accelerating!

I quite like the yellowy light look with the modern interior stuff!

 

[pt_mad]

I quite like the yellowy light look with the modern interior stuff!

Some yellowy tubes are LED. Retrofit which look exactly the same as an old style tube. It's the warmness style of the lamp which determines whether it's yellow, white or blue white. Neutral white is about 4000k (Kelvin's), warm white about 2700k and blue 5000k+. They can specify any colour output and still have LED. So I suppose we won't know.

 

[anamyd]

Some LED yellowy tubes are LED. Retrofit which look exactly the same as an old style tube. It's the warmness style of the lamp which determines whether it's yellow, white or blue white. Neutral white is about 4000k (Kelvin's), warm white about 2700k and blue 5000k+. They can specify any colour output and still have LED. So I suppose we won't know.

True! In this case though I was referring to the fluorescent lights as the yellowy lights

 

[pt_mad]

True! In this case though I was referring to the fluorescent lights as the yellowy lights

I know. What I mean is tubes are available which appear like florescent tubes but actually have tiny LEDs inside the tubes .so from outside the end user can't tell. Not saying the train ones are. I think posters have claimed the Pendolino yellowy lights are LED type and they don't appear it to the layman.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I know. What I mean is tubes are available which appear like florescent tubes but actually have tiny LEDs inside the tubes .so from outside the end user can't tell. Not saying the train ones are. I think posters have claimed the Pendolino yellowy lights are LED type and they don't appear it to the layman.

The spots are LED, I’m not sure about the tubes.

Indeed, LED can be any colour you like. My house is all GU10 spots and you can’t tell they aren’t halogens other than by looking at the electricity bill.

 

[anamyd]

I know. What I mean is tubes are available which appear like florescent tubes but actually have tiny LEDs inside the tubes .so from outside the end user can't tell. Not saying the train ones are. I think posters have claimed the Pendolino yellowy lights are LED type and they don't appear it to the layman.

I don't like LEDs that are too much of a harsh white

 

[Bletchleyite]

I don't like LEDs that are too much of a harsh white

That's not a factor of the technology. The FGW HST lighting, which must be the worst to ever disgrace a rail vehicle, is fluorescent, not LED.

 

[anamyd]

That's not a factor of the technology. The FGW HST lighting, which must be the worst to ever disgrace a rail vehicle, is fluorescent, not LED.

Lights, then!

 

[centraltrains]

I just hope they don't roll out LED lighting into 323s like the one prototype? version (202? (different to the 217 modification)). For some reason, I feel very claustrophobic on that specific train. Very unusual as practically never feel claustrophobic.

Is this because they're full colour LCDs being driven by the same PIS controller as the old LED dot matrixes?

Is it possible for them to do that?? I really don't know how data is conveyed through trains, but one would have thought if a standard string/text message is sent along the cable, it is likely up to the individual device how to exactly display it - and a much more pleasant display on the screen could be possible.

Is this getting a bit off topic from branding?