Plain blue liveried 156426 passes Warton on 9 June 2005 with the 12:56 Barrow-n-Furness to Lancaster Northern Rail service. Four Class 156s received this minimalist livery in 2004, as they were undergoing refurbishment at Wabtec, Doncaster at the time the franchise was changing from First North Western. Pending the new operator's decision on a colour scheme, a plain blue (based on the First Group base colour) was an expedient choice.