A new rail franchise began yesterday on the East Coast main line from London to Yorkshire, the north east and Scotland, with a consortium of Virgin and Stagecoach taking over the route.
This morning the official press launch took place at London Kings Cross station with a train fully repainted in the new Virgin East Coast livery. It then operated the 11:00 service to Edinburgh.
In this shot, at 12:48, the train pulls into platform 9 at York railway station, to be met by quite a few photographers and a film crew.
So what do I think of the new colour scheme? - It's certainly bright and bold, and quite a contrast to any previous livery carried by these locomotives. It may take a little getting used to!
Thank you all for your comments, they are much appreciated. It will take a while to get used to the bright colours of Virgin East Coast trains. Previous companies operating these services have been rather subdued - GNER dark blue, National Express grey and white, and East Coast grey.
Thank you all for your comments, they are much appreciated. It will take a while to get used to the bright colours of Virgin East Coast trains. Previous companies operating these services have been rather subdued - GNER dark blue, National Express grey and white, and East Coast grey.
Ian