LNER Livery

[Darandio]

On that note, what will they be branded as? I’m guessing they’ll then named like the Nova series of trains.

Maybe they could name them 'Electra'?

 

[Domh245]

That livery isn't terrible. Widen the stripe at the top of the headlights so that it has more of a flow, and shrink (or better completely remove) the Azuma branding and itd be perfectly fine

 

[DenmarkRail]

Maybe they could name them 'Electra'?

I quite like Hokuto... NorthEast in Japanese, given that the retained 91 sets will do EDI services.

 

[Ze Random One]

Also, there's no way that dazzle camouflage over the door is even close to meeting the "contrasting doors" requirement

Given the cyan/yellow/pink motif is the symbol for the Great Exhibition of the North, I think it unlikely to appear on the final livery

 

[muddythefish]

It was for the 10:30 departure and has just arrived at Peterborough with the same minimal branding changes as seen in post #145. Not sure what sort of launch there was beforehand though.

This was 91105 on that 10:30 departure.

https://twitter.com/Modern_Railways/status/1011171052989353984

Appalling.

is it too much to ask for coaches in teak-effect brown like the grand wooden bodied vehicles of the 1930s, with a blue locomotive at the head ?

Or maybe green and cream like the LNER "tourist" stock ?

So much more tasteful the the garish and vulgar above.

 

[Craigster90]

Anyone know if Class 91 91109 still carries ‘Sir Bobby Robson’ nameplate and if it’s currently in traffic? Havn’t seen it in a while

 

[Bertie the bus]

I quite like Hokuto... NorthEast in Japanese, given that the retained 91 sets will do EDI services.

No idea why they would give IC225 sets a Japanese name. What do they have to do with Japan?

 

[FQTV]

Anyone know if Class 91 91109 still carries ‘Sir Bobby Robson’ nameplate and if it’s currently in traffic? Havn’t seen it in a while

Yes, it does carry the nameplates and yes, it’s very much still in traffic.

 

[59CosG95]

Appalling.

is it too much to ask for coaches in teak-effect brown like the grand wooden bodied vehicles of the 1930s, with a blue locomotive at the head ?

Or maybe green and cream like the LNER "tourist" stock ?

So much more tasteful the the garish and vulgar above.

There's little point in repainting stock at vast expense that is due to be withdrawn soon anyway; the reasons why have been discussed at length further upthread.

 

[xc170]

Appalling.

is it too much to ask for coaches in teak-effect brown like the grand wooden bodied vehicles of the 1930s, with a blue locomotive at the head ?

Or maybe green and cream like the LNER "tourist" stock ?

So much more tasteful the the garish and vulgar above.

I'm not sure 50+ year old liveries would work on modern stock...

 

[nottsnurse]

is it too much to ask for coaches in teak-effect brown like the grand wooden bodied vehicles of the 1930s, with a blue locomotive at the head ?

Because what better way to run a modern railway than to pretend it's the 1930s...

The East Coast Mainline is not a heritage railway.

 

[transmanche]

is it too much to ask for coaches in teak-effect brown like the grand wooden bodied vehicles of the 1930s, with a blue locomotive at the head ?

Yes, it is.

Do you think that if the original LNER had continued in existence, it would still be using teak-effect brown and blue?

 

[birchesgreen]

Plus the LU 4-TC set had teak effect vinyls on it for awhile and i don't think it looked that great

 

[Craigster90]

Yes, it does carry the nameplates and yes, it’s very much still in traffic.

Thanks for that

 

[Rick1984]

The livery should be built around the train. Like the IC125, IC225, APT and even original Pendilino. Not just wack a band on and say "job done".
Especially as the livery will be expected to last for many years.

 

[Rail Blues]

Appalling.

is it too much to ask for coaches in teak-effect brown like the grand wooden bodied vehicles of the 1930s, with a blue locomotive at the head ?


Or maybe green and cream like the LNER "tourist" stock ?

So much more tasteful the the garish and vulgar above.

It really wouldn't be more tasteful. Teak bodied 80x stock? It would look horrendous and about as classy and authentic as those fake books that people use to put video cassettes in during the 1980s.

 

[mallard]

"Teak" is obviously taking it a bit far, but some form of blue would certainly be more appropriate (and more attractive IMHO) for the route. If GWR can paint their trains with a colour scheme based on the locomotive green of their namesake (which, ironically, makes them look more like the trains of their main rival, the Southern Railway), surely it can't be beyond the wit of man to come up with an attractive use of something approaching "garter blue" for the ECML.

 

[CosherB]

I wonder what livery the 91 sets will get when / if they stay with LNER (as in the 6 or so planned to stay).

On that note, what will they be branded as? I’m guessing they’ll then named like the Nova series of trains.

If they stay ... they won't be re-branded in any, shape or form other than the new LNER logos .... and no they won't. Simples.

 

[transmanche]

"Teak" is obviously taking it a bit far, but some form of blue would certainly be more appropriate (and more attractive IMHO) for the route.

Why? Today's LNER is not a heritage railway. And even if the original LNER was still in operation, it's really unlikely they'd still be using the same colour scheme(s) that they used for 25 years almost a century ago.

What next...?

Source

 

[mallard]

And even if the original LNER was still in operation, it's really unlikely they'd still be using the same colour scheme(s) that they used for 25 years almost a century ago.

I'm not suggesting they would. I am suggesting that they wouldn't be using a very similar colour scheme to their main competitor for the sake of cheapness though... (Even GWR isn't doing that; the modern GWR livery is very different from the SWR livery, despite having the same parent company, and they don't really compete with the modern "Southern".)

 

[tbtc]

Because what better way to run a modern railway than to pretend it's the 1930s...

The East Coast Mainline is not a heritage railway.

Agreed - the obsession with the past belongs to the North Yorkshire Moors or whatever.

"Teak" is obviously taking it a bit far, but some form of blue would certainly be more appropriate (and more attractive IMHO) for the route. If GWR can paint their trains with a colour scheme based on the locomotive green of their namesake (which, ironically, makes them look more like the trains of their main rival, the Southern Railway), surely it can't be beyond the wit of man to come up with an attractive use of something approaching "garter blue" for the ECML

Just because you like that colour of blue?

As has been pointed out on the thread, LNER used light blue and dark blue and light green and dark green and maroon and teak and silver and black... (yet we complain about modern companies changing liveries every five/ten years...).

https://d240vprofozpi.cloudfront.net/locos/A/a4_aceposter.png

Why do we have to go back to "garter" blue, when LNER had lots of different colour schemes? I can understand nostalgia, but the very specific nostalgia for one particular period (rather than all of the other liveries used etc) is a bit much.

 

[DarloRich]

"Teak" is obviously taking it a bit far, but some form of blue would certainly be more appropriate (and more attractive IMHO) for the route. If GWR can paint their trains with a colour scheme based on the locomotive green of their namesake (which, ironically, makes them look more like the trains of their main rival, the Southern Railway), surely it can't be beyond the wit of man to come up with an attractive use of something approaching "garter blue" for the ECML.

There have been complaints about the finances of the franchise and whether, or not, this change is a "bail out". - the new operation are not going to waste money on a full repaint. it simply inst needed nor would it look good in the papers.

I get the desire for a nice uniform fleet but it isnt a priority when the current colours will serve with a few cheap and minor tweaks.

 

[mallard]

Just because you like that colour of blue?

As has been pointed out on the thread, LNER used light blue and dark blue and light green and dark green and maroon and teak and silver and black... (yet we complain about modern companies changing liveries every five/ten years...).

Any blue is fine by me (as long as it doesn't look too "Thameslink"), as is green... Note that of the actual LNER (and not BR) liveries shown in that image, you have silver, apple green, garter blue and wartime black (with slight BR modificiation). Red, however, is only being used because it's Virgin's colour and is therefore less effort to replace completely. It's not historically associatied with the ECML to any great extent (although there is a bit of a connection with the LNER's ex-GCR division) and dosn't do much to differentiate it from other routes. People will be confusing it with Virgin for quite a long time, I suspect.

Maybe if Virgin lose the WCML and it goes to an operator that doesn't use red...

 

[transmanche]

(Even GWR isn't doing that; the modern GWR livery is very different from the SWR livery, despite having the same parent company, and they don't really compete with the modern "Southern".)

I don't see your point. The modern GWR is owned by First, the modern SWR is owned by First and MTR. Each TOC decides their own branding independently. The colour palette they choose ties in with whatever brand image they wish to create. GWR have gone for a 'classic' look, SWR have gone with a 'modern' or contemporary look. They will have their own reasons for that. Another of First's TOCs (TPE) have gone for a very 'dynamic' or 'futuristic' look, which ties in with the image their advertising tries to create: "Our part of the world is moving pretty fast."

To today's passengers, red is colour of the trains to/from London on the East Coast mainline. Very few of them will know or care about apple green or garter blue. LNER have decided (for the time being) that they're going to stick with red. Who knows what might happen in the future.

Things. Change.

 

[DackandBlecker]

Why? Today's LNER is not a heritage railway. And even if the original LNER was still in operation, it's really unlikely they'd still be using the same colour scheme(s) that they used for 25 years almost a century ago.

Co-op have ditched the 90s look and brought back the 60s logo, typeface, etc, so why not?
It's just marketing.

 

[mallard]

I don't see your point. The modern GWR is owned by First, the modern SWR is owned by First and MTR. Each TOC decides their own branding independently.

I'm pretty sure that's not true. TOCs do try to make their liveries and schemes distinct from others to avoid confusion and enhance brand recogition. There's a reason why First (finally!) dropped their dire corporate liveries (except on HT for some reason); it would be an absolute nightmare at places like Exeter and Reading if they were still using them.

To today's passengers, red is colour of the trains to/from London on the East Coast mainline.

And 3 years ago it was grey/silver and before that dark blue... Keeping the red is done entirely to keep the rebrand "cheap" (as was the use of Grey/Silver by DOR). It's a shame that the colour will likely be forced onto the next operator.

 

[transmanche]

Co-op have ditched the 90s look and brought back the 60s logo, typeface, etc, so why not?

Actually, they took the 1960s logo and subtly changed it - and added a new colour palette and a new typeface.

And they did that for a very specific reason. They decided that going back to their roots and harking back to a 'simpler' time would help them get over the problems of the past few years. By basing it on the old logo, but giving it a contemporary look means the logo may look familiar but everything else about the shop will look bang-up-to-date.

It's just marketing.

You're absolutely right.

 

[transmanche]

Each TOC decides their own branding independently. The colour palette they choose ties in with whatever brand image they wish to create. GWR have gone for a 'classic' look, SWR have gone with a 'modern' or contemporary look. They will have their own reasons for that. Another of First's TOCs (TPE) have gone for a very 'dynamic' or 'futuristic' look, which ties in with the image their advertising tries to create: "Our part of the world is moving pretty fast."

I'm pretty sure that's not true. TOCs do try to make their liveries and schemes distinct from others to avoid confusion and enhance brand recogition.

You say you disagree with me - and continue by agreeing with me.

 

[mpthomson]

Appalling.

is it too much to ask for coaches in teak-effect brown like the grand wooden bodied vehicles of the 1930s, with a blue locomotive at the head ?

Or maybe green and cream like the LNER "tourist" stock ?

So much more tasteful the the garish and vulgar above.

Because it's a modernish working railway not a heritage line for trainspotters. Things have moved on a touch since 1948.....

 

[transmanche]

Keeping the red is done entirely to keep the rebrand "cheap"

I'm sure cost was one of the considerations in choosing to stick with a red-based colour palette. But it shows that they thought the positives outweighed any negatives: i.e. that they didn't consider the red of Virgin so toxic that they needed to make a very visual break from it and that it was a 'good thing' to 'ride on the coat-tails' of the Virgin brand by making the most of the goodwill associated with it.

Remember, the average passenger isn't the cynical old grump that we are on this forum. There are lots of people out there who view the Virgin brand in a positive light. If there are so many 'normals' who still think Virgin operate CrossCountry, then they may have thought that it's not a bad thing if they think Virgin are still running East Coast...

(as was the use of Grey/Silver by DOR)

I disagree. If you're re-vinyling a loco or a coach, going for silver/grey really isn't going to save a packet over any other colour combination.[/QUOTE]

It's a shame that the colour will likely be forced onto the next operator.

Again, no reason that it should. Just because they may be required to use the LNER name doesn't mean they will continue to use the same colour palette forever. The new operator may decide that the time is right for a visual break from the previous operators and change the colour of everything - and factor that cost that into their bid.