Virgin Trains no longer make routine use of Class 57/3 'Thunderbirds'. All have been de-named and re-liveried. All 16 have found other homes. 12 are with Direct Rail Services in their 'Compass' liveries (with a couple in Riviera Trains' 'Northern Belle' livery and one in Network Rail yellow). The other 4 are with West Coast Railways, 3 in WCRC Maroon and one in plain blue.
I am aware that the 'Thunderbirds' have been re-liveried and that all
but one have lost their International Rescue nameplates. However, I believe
VT▸ contracted
DRS▸ to continue providing the Thunderbird service and indeed, according to
this issue of the north Wales rail weekly online newsletter (
nwnews), "DRS continue to provide a 'Thunderbird' loco at Polmadie, Crewe, Stafford, Preston and Euston ready for use in any rescue missions".
EDIT: Added link to relevant issue of North Wales newsletter, now that the 'nwnwews' link points to a newer issue.