Branding and logo for Great British Railways unveiled
The government has unveiled the branding for Great British Railways (GBR), marking a significant step forward in its efforts to nationalise the rail network.
The new livery features a red, white, and blue colour scheme inspired by the Union Flag. It will be rolled out on GBR trains, at stations, and on its website and app. This comes after the government restored three passenger rail franchises to public ownership in the last year, fulfilling a pledge made in the Labour manifesto.
While the recent Budget included proposals to freeze regulated rail fares in England next year, the government has previously stated that renationalisation will eventually lead to lower prices for customers.
A Gradual Rollout 🚆
The new design, which was created in-house, will be introduced gradually. Passengers can expect to see the new-look trains running across the national network from next spring. In the meantime, the artwork will be on display at Glasgow Central, Leeds City, and Manchester Piccadilly from December.
The Railways Bill, which will establish GBR, is currently passing through the House of Commons. The government has stated that it is renationalising the railways so they are "owned by the public, not for private shareholders."
GBR will bring the management of passenger trains and infrastructure together under a single authority. The government announced that this will combine 17 different operators and "cut through the bureaucracy and lack of accountability that continue to plague the railways."
The rollout will also include a new GBR app, allowing customers to track train times and buy tickets without paying booking fees. Disabled travellers will also be able to book assistance directly through the app.
The State of the Franchises
Several train companies, including Northern, TransPennine Express, Southeastern, and LNER, were brought under public control during the previous Conservative government.
There are now seven train operators in public hands, accounting for about a third of all journeys. Franchises are being brought in-house as their contracts expire; Greater Anglia, South Western Railway, and c2c have been nationalised in the last year, with more expected to follow in 2026.
The GBR brand retains the distinctive double-arrow symbol. Originally launched in the 1960s as the emblem of British Rail, the state-owned company that previously managed the network, the symbol is currently used by National Rail for journey and ticket information.
"Not Just a Paint Job"
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander insisted the rebrand "isn't just a paint job" but represents "a new railway, putting an end to the frustrations of the past and focusing solely on delivering a reliable public service for passengers."
Jacqueline Starr, chief executive of the Rail Delivery Group, which represents Britain's train operators, acknowledged the focus on improving customer service.
"We will continue to work closely with industry partners to ensure a smooth transition to Great British Railways," she said.
