RAIL enthusiasts are being asked to keep their eyes peeled as Arriva Trains Northern (ATN) put a special train into service.

The York-based train operator is running a Class 142 train in full Arriva colours - making it the only one of its kind.

The train, which operates on a range of routes across the North of England, has been given a new look as part of a trail by bosses to use a vinyl finish instead of paint.

Ian Papworth, ATN's fleet director, said: "This trial is one of a number of initiatives we are looking at over the coming months aimed at improving the quality of our train presentation for customers.

"The train will run in service for several months during which time we will be assessing the durability of the finish and the potential advantages or disadvantages of using vinyls compared with painting. Following this, we will then make a decision as to whether to adopt the process for use on other trains within our fleet in the future."

The train went into service on Saturday.

Updated: 08:48 Tuesday, July 22, 2003