FGW Regional Livery

[CC 72100]

Hi,

over the past couple of years FGW local DMUs have carried the local lines livery, such as this 150 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:150265_Newton_Abbot.JPG

But recently I have seen examples of 150/1s carrying a plain purple livery, with just the First Great Western writing on it, like on the HST power cars.

Does anyone know why these units have the different livery? Are they doing away with the local lines livery?

Thanks

 

[Schnellzug]

They're the ex London Midland units, which (I presume) they haven't given the full livery because they haven't been refurbished with new seats & c.

 

[starrymarkb]

Also remember that FGW finish next year. So don't expect a refurb until after 2013. I believe the DfT wouldn't authorise a full refurb either (remember that FGW's loses are high enough that revenue support has kicked in)

 

[Uzair]

To be honest, I prefer the livery on the ex LM units compared to the Regional livery.

But yes, as had said before, the plain purple liveried units are indeed the ex London Midland units, and I doubt the full livery would be applied considering how near the end of the franchise is.

 

[DavidBrown]

I believe that the local lines livery has been discontinued anyway, irregardless of the upcoming franchise change.

 

[TEW]

The plain blue livery is the new FGW livery. If First retain the franchise that will probably be the livery used. The ex LO units have also been painted plain blue.

 

[swt_passenger]

I believe that the local lines livery has been discontinued anyway, irregardless of the upcoming franchise change.

I think the local lines was a complete vinyl up to window level?

Perhaps they have decided a proper paint finish is longer lasting, and a vinyl overlay to provide the local lines details on top is money wasted...

 

[CC 72100]

I believe that the local lines livery has been discontinued anyway, irregardless of the upcoming franchise change.

Shame, I thought it was quite an individual way of donig it but if it means that it takes less time for trains to be repainted when they're going into the new livery then I'm all for it.

I take it the mark 3 coaches aren't going to have the same treatment though? They'd look too plain for my liking...

 

[TEW]

The HST coaches were painted blue with the vinyls added over the top. They aren't going to receive the repaint now but could be a possibility in the next franchise. You'll notice that recently FGW changed all there publicity and timetables, removing the dynamic lines on publications in favour of plain blue.

 

[CC 72100]

The HST coaches were painted blue with the vinyls added over the top. They aren't going to receive the repaint now but could be a possibility in the next franchise. You'll notice that recently FGW changed all there publicity and timetables, removing the dynamic lines on publications in favour of plain blue.

Ah yes, just noticed that, do quite like the Dynamic lines though, an 'express' livery that gives a sense of speed for an express train

I'm still a fan of the CrossCountry livery, best one on the network IMO

 

[Class172]

I do think that the mk3s would look odd with their dynamic lines vinyls removed as it would be too plain, though the local units look fine.

 

[Eagle]

Ah yes, just noticed that, do quite like the Dynamic lines though, an 'express' livery that gives a sense of speed for an express train

Even on a 185 travelling all stops from Preston to Windermere? :P

 

[CC 72100]

Even on a 185 travelling all stops from Preston to Windermere? :P

Alright then, maybe not! Was only considering HSTs when I said that!

 

[TGVDUDE]

probably also they needed the 150s out on the network instead of laying in a paint shop for too long, so a simple paint job and go?

 

[fgwrich]

Also remember that FGW finish next year. So don't expect a refurb until after 2013. I believe the DfT wouldn't authorise a full refurb either (remember that FGW's loses are high enough that revenue support has kicked in)

Not quite - The ex LM Units are now undergoing a rolling refresh at Bristol - Work inlcudes a repaint into the newer blue livery, and an internal refresh / refurbish, mostly comprising of new flooring, internal repainting and new cushion / cushion covers...First unit to be done so far (apart from 001 & 002) is ex London Midland 150125.

As for the DFT / Refurb issue - Dont forget that FGW currently has 5 Class 180s about to undergo a refurbishment Hull Trains style, and the Mk3 Buffet car to SO Conversion currently taking place up at Kilmarnock.

 

[Class172]

Will the new FGW 180s be in dynamic lines or plain blue livery?

 

[F Great Eastern]

The best Livery FGW ever had was the Neon livery,:
http://www.therailwaycentre.com/New Photo File Loco/HST_14.jpg

Did this show dirt? The current one is nice but the blue fading effect was very nice.

 

[CC 72100]

That is a nice livery too, I'll be honest. Actually didn't know that one existed - I thought they went straight from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:FGW-43005-Bath-01.jpg to the current Dynamic lines livery. How long was the neon one about for?

 

[F Great Eastern]

Lots of variations here:
http://www.tauntontrains.co.uk/HST.htm

The current livery is actually the third version of Dynamic Lines the first two variations were quite short term.

 

[sprinterguy]

That is a nice livery too, I'll be honest. Actually didn't know that one existed - I thought they went straight from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:FGW-43005-Bath-01.jpg to the current Dynamic lines livery. How long was the neon one about for?

The original "neon" variant of dynamic lines, which is carried by the TPE 170s and 185s, was only applied to the three trailer vehicles and two power cars seen in that photo for the launch of the combined FGW franchise on 3rd April 2006. The livery was decided against for the main run of refurbished carriages and power cars for being excessively complex.

I've disliked all of the First Great Western "Intercity" liveries tbh, from "fag packet" green/gold onwards, although that one was the most bearable of them all as it was a development of the original and IMO very pleasing Great Western Trains green and ivory scheme. I hated the way that they transferred wholesale their "barbie" livery for buses onto something as iconic as an HST, and the idea of having a large area of white around the cab areas of a high speed diesel train, as was in the original form of FGW "Barbie" livery, was very ill judged. To my eyes Dynamic Lines is just an untidy scrawl, not a livery. I wonder how many millions some high-flying consultancy was paid to put in the lack of thought to come up with that?

 

[ACE1888]

Prefer the units (150/1's) in the plain blue livery personally

 

[sprinterguy]

Prefer the units (150/1's) in the plain blue livery personally

I'm inclined to agree, although I'm not as adverse to the FGW "Local Lines" livery as I am to Dynamic Lines. I like the concept of incorporating the names of local places into the livery.

 

[ACE1888]

I'm inclined to agree, although I'm not as adverse to the FGW "Local Lines" livery as I am to Dynamic Lines. I like the concept of incorporating the names of local places into the livery.

When you read them though, always makes intersting reading for the places that WERE rail connected in the past, but no longer are...:roll:

 

[Michael.Y]

150001 looks very smart I think. As a heritage unit (the prototype class 150) it deserves a wee bit of dignity. That's asking a lot for a company whose corporate colours make Mr Blobby look refined. Yet the dark blue + fuschia works nicely, as does the large, white, thin-font FGW logo.

 

[CC 72100]

Lots of variations here:
http://www.tauntontrains.co.uk/HST.htm

The current livery is actually the third version of Dynamic Lines the first two variations were quite short term.

Very interesting link, thanks for sharing. I have to admit I'm not surprised I missed the first two versions of the dynamic lines livery, they weren't exactly around for long! FGW do seem to have a bit of a habit of chopping and changing their liveries though!

As for the 150/1 in the plain livery - I agree its looks smart, I just hope that something has been done about some of those interiors, that still look as if they are in a Midlands 1980 time warp IMO!

 

[Dennis]

The best Livery FGW ever had was the Neon livery,:
http://www.therailwaycentre.com/New Photo File Loco/HST_14.jpg

Photos of that livery invariably fail to capture the pearlescent nature of finish on the powercars - they looked simply stunning when sunlight fell on them. Shame it wasn't taken up as standard.

 

[BestWestern]

I've disliked all of the First Great Western "Intercity" liveries tbh, from "fag packet" green/gold onwards, although that one was the most bearable of them all as it was a development of the original and IMO very pleasing Great Western Trains green and ivory scheme. I hated the way that they transferred wholesale their "barbie" livery for buses onto something as iconic as an HST, and the idea of having a large area of white around the cab areas of a high speed diesel train, as was in the original form of FGW "Barbie" livery, was very ill judged. To my eyes Dynamic Lines is just an untidy scrawl, not a livery. I wonder how many millions some high-flying consultancy was paid to put in the lack of thought to come up with that?

Forgive the pedantry, but the original GW livery also incorporated vast swathes of white/ivory around the front end, though I agree that it was a far more pleasing scheme than 'Barbie'! InterCity had the right idea with the off-white of the 'Mainline' livery on the coaches and back half of the power cars, it also looked quite smart as well as concealing the inevitable coating of dirt.

As for the 'new' plain blue-based scheme, I too had assumed this was simply a cost-saving exercise for the newly acquired 150/1 sets. If it is to be extended to everything in future (franchise permitting of course), then I feel some 'embellishments' might still be deemed necessary on the HSTs, as the otherwise slightly basic livery could be deemed as a tad unadventurous and perhaps not sending out quite the right image

 

[sprinterguy]

Forgive the pedantry, but the original GW livery also incorporated vast swathes of white/ivory around the front end, though I agree that it was a far more pleasing scheme than 'Barbie'! InterCity had the right idea with the off-white of the 'Mainline' livery on the coaches and back half of the power cars, it also looked quite smart as well as concealing the inevitable coating of dirt.

Good point, but at least the Great Western livery kept the white area confined to the lower bodysides where it was less likely to be affected by diesel fumes: Unfortunately it was worst placed to pick up brake dust and general detritus kicked up from the trackbed along the carriages

I too believe that the Intercity Executive livery was the best compromise between the striking and original extension of the yellow warning panel along the bodyside, that was applied to the first 125 livery, and the then new Intercity identity.

 

[Electrostar]

The fact First has had so many corporate identities suggests they've never really got it right. I still remember the reports of standard class passengers getting confused by the flying F and the word First when they took over Great Western. Personally I've never been a fan of purple and pink on trains or buses but I agree the original dynamic lines livery looked stunning.

I understand the bus livery has been revised again so perhaps we're in for another round of changes. I know First Capital Connect is now featuring illustrations of plain purple/blue Turbostars on its posters. Obviously no one in the design department has mocked up an Electrostar yet.

As a footnote I disliked the original GW green and ivory livery (more so First's fag packet variant) but looking at photos it was actually rather smart.

 

[mralexn]

the way i see it, its cheap, and easy for them to apply and it will not cost much to change,

FGW only have around 14 months left on their franchise, so they want to spend as little as possible on pretty much everything