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The government has unveiled the logo and livery for the new national rail body, constituting a major stride in its agenda to bring the railways under public control.

A National Palette and Historic Symbol

The updated livery showcases a red, white and blue colour scheme to mirror the Union Flag and will be applied on GBR trains, at terminals, and across its digital platforms.

Interestingly, the emblem is the well-known twin-arrow symbol presently used by National Rail and previously introduced in the mid-20th century for the former state operator.

A Implementation Plan

The introduction of the design, which was designed internally, is set to happen gradually.

Commuters are scheduled to start noticing the freshly-liveried trains on the UK rail network from spring next year.

Throughout December, the design will be showcased at major railway stations, like Manchester Piccadilly.

A Path to Public Ownership

The Railways Bill, which will allow the creation of Great British Railways, is presently progressing through the House of Commons.

The government has stated it is renationalising the railways so the system is "owned by the people, operating for the public, not for profit."

Great British Railways will unify the running of train services and tracks and signals under one umbrella body.

The department has stated it will unify 17 various organisations and "eliminate the problematic administrative hurdles and poor accountability that hinders the railways."

Digital Features and Current Ownership

The introduction of GBR will also involve a new app, which will let customers to check timetables and reserve journeys free from surcharges.

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

Multiple train companies had previously been taken into public control under the outgoing administration, including Southeastern.

There are currently seven operating companies already in state ownership, accounting for about a third of rail travel.

In the last twelve months, c2c have been brought into public ownership, with further franchises expected to follow in the coming years.

Ministerial and Sector Comments

"This is not simply a paint job," stated the Transport Secretary. It represents "a new railway, leaving behind the problems of the past and concentrated completely on offering a reliable service for the public."

Industry representatives have acknowledged the focus to bettering the passenger experience.

"We will continue to collaborate with industry partners to support a seamless handover to GBR," one executive added.