Great british railways logo unveiled as trains begin renationalisation

British Railways, once the centrepiece of the nation’s transport infrastructure, is set to undergo a major rebrand sixty years after its iconic “double arrow” logo was launched. The revamped branding, featuring the Union Jack, seeks to establish a renewed sense of “Britishness” on the national railway network. The changes coincide with the Labour government’s move to bring trains back under public ownership, ending the legacy of private operators.

The new logo will be officially unveiled in May and will appear on the first nationalised trains. This signifies the beginning of a broader transition as private train operators are gradually replaced by a unified Great British Railways brand over the next few years. For example, South Western Railway will lose its branding this spring, followed by c2c in July and Greater Anglia in the autumn. Over time, all trains will carry the new livery, symbolising a cohesive and modernised railway system under state control.

A source within Whitehall indicated that the intention behind the rebrand is not only to unify the railways but also to instil national pride, similar to the enthusiasm generated by Team GB during Olympic events. While repainting all trains has been deemed too expensive, existing liveries will be replaced with a design inspired by the red, white and blue colours of the Union Jack. Uniforms and visible equipment for railway staff may also be updated in line with the new branding, showcasing a fresh and co-ordinated look.

This renationalisation effort follows years of criticism surrounding the structure of the privatised rail system. The original Great British Railways plan, introduced by the Conservative government in 2021, aimed to integrate track and train operations under a single guiding body. Implementation delays have pushed full operational control under the new organisation until at least 2027. However, the government remains determined to roll out visible changes this year, starting with the updated branding.

The concession model, which replaces the franchised railway system, has already been introduced to reform the funding mechanism for operators. Under this model, train companies receive state-funded fees while fare revenues are remitted directly to the government. The measure aims to provide a more reliable and accountable system for passengers across the UK while breaking away from the inefficiencies of private operation.

This ambitious rebrand of British railways may be inspired by the successful overhaul of Greater Manchester’s bus network in 2023. The city’s buses, repainted in a distinctive yellow by local mayor Andy Burnham, saw a significant increase in passenger numbers. Leveraging such examples, the government aims to deliver a similar surge in public confidence and usage for the railways through a reinvigorated national identity.

Though the extent of the changes depends heavily on Treasury funding, the unveiling of the Great British Railways logo is expected to mark the start of a transport transformation that brings the rail network back into public hands after decades of privatisation.