The first Great British Railways-branded train has been unveiled, marking a symbolic step towards the government’s long-promised overhaul of the UK rail network.
A Southern Class 387 train in Brighton is the first to receive the new livery, showcasing a bold red, white and blue design inspired by the Union flag, alongside the iconic double-arrow logo synonymous with British Rail.
The first Great British Railway branded train has been unveiled
The rebrand arrives just days before Southern’s services transition into public ownership on May 31.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander described the moment as a turning point for the railways, saying the launch “makes the future of Britain’s railways a reality”.
She emphasised that the changes go far beyond aesthetics, positioning the move as part of a wider effort to create a more streamlined and passenger-focused system.
“This isn’t just a paint job,” she said. “It’s an important step towards building a more joined-up, publicly owned railway that puts passengers first and leaves the fragmentation of the past behind.”
First Great British Railways will be introduced gradually across trains ahead of nationalisation
The new Great British Railways (GBR) identity will be introduced gradually across trains, stations and staff uniforms, with the Department for Transport stressing that the rollout will be carefully managed to ensure value for taxpayers.
The Brighton unveiling also signals the beginning of a significant structural shift. GBR will eventually bring track and train operations under one unified public body for the first time since privatisation in the 1990s – a move long debated across the industry.
Southern’s parent company, Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), will be among the next operators to come under public control. Its services including Thameslink, Great Northern and Gatwick Express are set to be nationalised at the end of May, joining a growing list of operators already managed by the government.
John Whitehurst, GTR’s chief operating officer, called the rebrand a “significant milestone”, adding that the company is ready for the transition. “Our focus remains on delivering safe, reliable services, with customers and communities at the heart of everything we do,” he said.
The broader public ownership programme is expected to continue rolling out across the network, with ministers positioning GBR as the backbone of a simpler, more cohesive railway system.
