Jul 05, 2006 23:00 BST Is it a Bird?…..Is it a Plane?…..No, it’s a 125mph tilting train!

A Virgin Trains’ Pendolino adorned in a unique and eye catching livery to promote the forthcoming release of Warner Bros’ Pictures Superman Returns was unveiled at London’s Euston station today.

Combining scenes from the new movie with Virgin Trains’ own branding the travelling billboard will be seen in cities such as Birmingham, London, Liverpool, Manchester, Glasgow, Carlisle, Preston and Coventry for the next six months.

This is the first time a domestic inter-city train has been used to carry an exterior advertisement across the country. The Pendolino’s high-speed capability over long distances fits well with Superman’s traditional attributes of strength and speed.

Pendolino no. 390 029 has been carefully prepared by maintenance company Alstom’s staff at Wembley Traincare Depot. High adhesive vinyls were painstakingly applied to the sides of the 217m nine-coach train with the help of specialist company Halo Rail who also manufactured the vinyls.

The train’s first public journey saw it forming the 10 35 service from Euston to Manchester Piccadilly including a brief scheduled call at Stoke on Trent, the city after which the Pendolino is named.

Agencies may be evaluating this new venture with interest. In a sometimes crowded and predictable market place advertisers are always looking for new “cut-throughs” to try and grab the public’s attention. A high-speed inter-city train travelling across the country offers leading brands an alternative and very different way of spreading their messages. Craig Inglis, Sales and Marketing Director for Virgin Trains said today: “We are very pleased to be working with Warner Bros Pictures on promoting Superman Returns. The characteristics of Virgin Trains and Superman fit very well in terms of speed and long distances and will resonate in a positive way with all the thousands of people who will see and travel in the train over the next six months.

Superman Returns starring Brandon Routh, Kevin Spacey, Kate Bosworth and directed by Bryan Singer will open at cinemas nationwide on July 14th.

Ends

For further information contact the Virgin Trains Press Desk.

For further information about the film Superman Returns please contact the Warner Bros publicity department on 020 7984 5200

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