The first train displaying the new Great British Railways (GBR) branding has been unveiled, marking a significant milestone in the transition of rail services to public ownership. A Southern Class 387 train in Brighton received the distinctive makeover ahead of the operator's services entering public ownership on 31 May.
Branding Details
The livery features a red, white and blue colour scheme mirroring the Union flag, alongside the double-arrow logo initially used by British Rail. The Department for Transport (DfT) described the branding as a "fresh, unmistakably British design." The DfT confirmed it will be rolled out at stations, on staff uniforms and on trains "gradually to ensure value for taxpayers' money."
Government Reaction
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander stated the launch "makes the future of Britain's railways a reality." She added: "The unveiling of the first GBR-branded train in Brighton today represents all of the work being done by staff up and down the country to fundamentally reform our railway. This isn't just a paint job – it's an important step towards building a more joined-up, publicly-owned railway that puts passengers first, delivers better services and leaves the frustrations and fragmentation of the past behind."
Industry Perspective
John Whitehurst, chief operating officer at Southern's parent company Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), expressed pride in being the first operator to feature the GBR branding. "It's a significant milestone for everyone at GTR, which reflects our readiness for change and the improvements we've already been delivering for customers. As we move closer to our transition to public ownership on 31 May, our priorities remain providing safe and reliable services every day, with customers, colleagues and communities at the heart of everything we do."
Public Ownership Details
GBR will be a new public sector body bringing responsibility for tracks and trains under a single organisation for the first time since privatisation in the mid-1990s. Long-awaited legislation to create GBR was included in last week's King's Speech. Services run by GTR's other operators – Thameslink, Great Northern and Gatwick Express – will also enter public ownership on 31 May. They will join West Midlands Trains, Greater Anglia, c2c, Northern, TransPennine Express, Southeastern, LNER and South Western in being managed by DfT Operator Limited. The public ownership programme is expected to be completed by the end of next year.
