🔗 Share this article

The administration has revealed the branding for the new national rail body, signifying a notable step in its policy to bring the railways into public ownership.

An National Colour Scheme and Familiar Emblem

The updated design uses a Union Flag-inspired colour scheme to represent the Union Flag and will be applied on GBR trains, at stations, and across its digital platforms.

Significantly, the emblem is the iconic double-arrow design currently used by National Rail and first created in the 1960s for British Rail.

A Rollout Timeline

The implementation of the new look, which was developed in-house, is expected to occur over time.

Passengers are expected to begin noticing the freshly-liveried trains across the UK rail network from next spring.

During the month of December, the design will be exhibited at prominent stations, including Birmingham New Street.

A Journey to Public Ownership

The proposed law, which will allow the establishment of GBR, is currently making its way through the legislative process.

The government has stated it is bringing back into public ownership the railways so the service is "owned by the passengers, operating for the passengers, not for private shareholders."

Great British Railways will unify the running of passenger trains and infrastructure under a unified structure.

The department has claimed it will unify 17 separate bodies and "cut through the frustrating administrative hurdles and poor accountability that hinders the railways."

Digital Features and Existing Public Control

The rollout of Great British Railways will also feature a dedicated app, which will let customers to check timetables and book journeys without surcharges.

Disabled users will also be able to use the application to request help.

Several franchises had previously been nationalised under the outgoing government, such as LNER.

There are now seven train operators already in public hands, accounting for about a third of journeys.

In the past year, Greater Anglia have been nationalised, with further franchises expected to follow in 2026.

Official and Sector Comments

"The new design isn't just a cosmetic change," commented the relevant minister. It symbolises "a new railway, leaving behind the frustrations of the past and focused solely on offering a genuine service for the public."

Rail leaders have acknowledged the government's commitment to improving the passenger experience.

"The industry will continue to work closely with industry partners to facilitate a successful changeover to Great British Railways," a representative added.