Virgin train fleet rolled out with a fresh lick of paint
THE first of a fleet of trains repainted in Widnes at a brand new facility has reentered service.
Virgin’s Pendolino trains are being renovated by Alstom in Halebank.
The first one has come off the depot and following testing has taken to the tracks once more with a run down from Liverpool Lime Street.
Alstom UK & Ireland’s managing director Nick Crossfield said: “It is a proud day for us, seeing the first of the iconic Pendolino fleet successfully repainted and out on the network again.
“This is the first work we have completed at our important new Widnes modernisa- tion facility.
“Not only is it on time and on budget, I am equally proud of the fact we employed eighty people locally, including five new apprentices, to deliver this beautiful new paint job.
“We look forward to working with Virgin Trains to complete the painting of the rest of their hard working fleet.”
The landmark facility was opened at the end of June and the €28m contract for the Pendolino fleet is the first to be undertaken at the site.
The unique new livery is named flowing silk with the flow across the train taking its main inspiration from the wind.
Virgin’s executive director ● for customer, operations and safety on the West Coast Main Line Peter Broadley said: “The Pendolino is widely regarded as the UK’s hardest working train, and has clocked up over 300 million miles in the last 15 years.
“They have been given a fresh lick of paint and will continue to speed customers along the West Coast Main