Livery Changes

The release of 37409 in 1980s-style Scotrail colours from Eastleigh Works in early January got the year off to an interesting and slightly controversial, start with Locomotive Services wanting the newly rechristened Loch Awe to match its set of push-pull Mk.3 coaches.

Also at Eastleigh, 59201 emerged in Freightliner orange and black on January 8, meaning all of the Class 59/2s have now been repainted out of their obsolete DB Cargo colours. In contrast, 66067 is the latest DB Cargo Class 66 to go red at Toton.

All of the Class 444 Desiros now carry South Western Railway colours following the completion of 444045 at Bournemouth in January, 444040 having been the first of the class to be re-liveried, using vinyls, back in August 2017. The Class 450s are equally close to completion with just 450031, 450116/118 remaining to be repainted.

Recently reinstated with Varamis Rail, 321407 has seen its unbranded First Group blue bodywork adorned with suitable vinyls by the logistics operator, the white-backed rectangles featuring the company logo along with various slogans, such as ‘On-track with Sustainability’, ‘Decarbonising the UK’ and ‘Faster, Cheaper, Greener’. Also with a new look is Transport for Wales Mk.4 DVT 82226, which has lost its blue-backed Alzheimer’s Society Cymru vinyls for striking red ones promoting Wales Air Ambulance.

Martin Loader Another Class 37 in the news this month is Locomotive Services Group’s 37409, which has lost its Large Logo paintwork in favour of Scotrail livery to match 47712 Lady Diana Spencer and LSG’S Scotrail push-pull carriage rake. Looking resplendent in its newly-applied paintwork and now carrying its previous Loch Awe nameplates once again, 37409 passes Tackley on January 12 in the company of Class 20s D8096 (20096) & D8107 Jocelyn Fielding 1940-2020 (20107) on the 10.27 Eastleigh Arlington Fleet Services to Crewe Diesel Depot transfer move.