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The UK government has revealed the branding for Great British Railways, marking a major advance in its strategy to take the railways back into state hands.

A National Palette and Familiar Emblem

The fresh design features a red, white and blue palette to represent the UK flag and will be used on GBR trains, at stations, and across its digital platforms.

Significantly, the symbol is the distinctive double-arrow symbol currently used by the national rail network and first created in the mid-20th century for British Rail.

A Rollout Strategy

The rollout of the new look, which was developed by the department, is scheduled to occur gradually.

Commuters are scheduled to start seeing the newly-branded trains throughout the UK rail network from spring next year.

Throughout the month of December, the visuals will be exhibited at key railway stations, including Birmingham New Street.

The Journey to Public Ownership

The proposed law, which will allow the creation of GBR, is presently progressing through the Parliament.

The administration has stated it is taking control of the railways so the network is "owned by the people, working for the public, not for corporate interests."

GBR will unify the running of passenger trains and tracks and signals under one umbrella body.

The department has stated it will unify seventeen different organisations and "reduce the frustrating red tape and accountability gap that continues to plague the railways."

Digital Features and Existing Ownership

The introduction of Great British Railways will also involve a new mobile application, which will allow passengers to view schedules and reserve journeys free from booking fees.

Passengers with disabilities passengers will also be have the option to use the application to arrange support.

Several train companies had earlier been taken into public control under the outgoing government, such as LNER.

There are now 7 train operators already in state ownership, accounting for about a third of rail travel.

In the last twelve months, South Western Railway have been brought into public ownership, with additional operators anticipated to be added in the coming years.

Official and Sector Comments

"This isn't just a new logo," commented the relevant minister. It represents "a transformed service, shedding the issues of the previous system and focused completely on providing a proper passenger-focused service."

Industry representatives have acknowledged the government's commitment to enhancing the passenger experience.

"We will continue to collaborate with relevant bodies to support a smooth changeover to the new system," one executive noted.