(22 Nov 2013, 7:07 pm)Dan wrote It's best that 5389/90 start off the process as the centenary year comes to an end - it wouldn't make sense for them to 'catch the Northern bug'.
I can't see how it would be best for them to wait and start applying the vinyls to their exterior when the centenary year comes to an end, as running around plain is, well, plain. If they have the new vinyls to hand, they may as well get on with making the refreshed generic livery now, I say.
(22 Nov 2013, 7:20 pm)andreos1 wrote Just jumping in (and jumping straight back out) of this Northern versus GNE vinyls debate - but when the Northern brand was launched, it was GNE in their marketing/pr blurb who explained that Northern was a recognised brand, passengers referred to GNE as 'The Northern' etc.
So if they are doing away with it, and rebranding everything in red as GNE, is this another change of tact/contradiction/back tracking from the powers that be at GNE/Northern towers?
I think the move is a good marketing scheme, as it will stop customers from seeing a "Northern" vehicle as spare 'tat' filling in on a branded route. Especially with introducing brand new vehicles as 'spare'. Been many times when I've heard customers say 'oh oh, its a Northern vehicle...', to their delight! The historicalness of Northern has been lost over the years, to many younger people its seen as oh no its a SPD! So hopefully perceptions will be changed.