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The Transport Department has introduced the visual identity for Great British Railways, representing a significant advance in its strategy to take the railways under nationalisation.

A Patriotic Design and Iconic Logo

The new design incorporates a red, white and blue design to echo the UK flag and will be used on locomotives, at stations, and across its digital platforms.

Interestingly, the logo is the distinctive double-arrow logo currently used by National Rail and originally introduced in the 1960s for British Rail.

The Rollout Plan

The implementation of the branding, which was created internally, is set to take place gradually.

Travellers are set to begin seeing the freshly-liveried trains on the national network from spring next year.

In December, the branding will be exhibited at major stations, like Glasgow Central.

A Journey to Public Ownership

The legislation, which will enable the establishment of Great British Railways, is currently moving through the House of Commons.

The government has said it is bringing back into public ownership the railways so the service is "run by the public, working for the people, not for profit."

GBR will consolidate the operation of passenger trains and tracks and signals under a single organisation.

The department has said it will merge seventeen different bodies and "reduce the notorious administrative hurdles and lack of accountability that has long affected the railways."

Digital Features and Existing Public Control

The introduction of Great British Railways will also include a comprehensive app, which will allow customers to view train times and book journeys absent booking fees.

Passengers with disabilities passengers will also be have the option to use the app to request help.

Multiple operators had already been taken into public control under the former administration, including Northern.

There are now 7 train operators already in public control, covering about a third of journeys.

In the last twelve months, c2c have been nationalised, with further franchises anticipated to be added in the coming years.

Official and Industry Comments

"The new design isn't just a paint job," said the relevant minister. It signifies "a fresh start, shedding the frustrations of the past and concentrated completely on delivering a genuine public service."

Rail figures have acknowledged the focus to bettering the passenger experience.

"We will carry on to work closely with relevant bodies to facilitate a smooth handover to Great British Railways," a senior figure noted.