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The Transport Department has presented the branding for GBR, constituting a significant advance in its policy to bring the railways back into state hands.

A Patriotic Palette and Familiar Emblem

The fresh livery showcases a red, white and blue design to mirror the national flag and will be applied on locomotives, at stations, and across its digital platforms.

Notably, the logo is the well-known double-arrow logo presently used by National Rail and previously introduced in the 1960s for British Rail.

The Introduction Strategy

The phased introduction of the design, which was created in-house, is set to take place gradually.

Travellers are set to start spotting the freshly-liveried services across the national network from next spring.

Throughout the month of December, the design will be showcased at prominent railway stations, including Birmingham New Street.

A Journey to Renationalisation

The legislation, which will allow the formation of GBR, is presently making its way through the legislative process.

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

Great British Railways will unify the running of passenger trains and infrastructure under one umbrella body.

The department has said it will merge seventeen separate entities and "cut through the notorious bureaucracy and lack of accountability that continues to plague the railways."

App-Based Services and Existing Ownership

The launch of GBR will also feature a dedicated app, which will let passengers to view schedules and reserve journeys free from booking fees.

Accessibility passengers will also be able to use the application to arrange help.

Multiple train companies had earlier been nationalised under the previous government, including LNER.

There are currently seven operating companies now in state ownership, representing about a third of journeys.

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

Ministerial and Sector Response

"The new design is not simply a cosmetic change," said the relevant minister. It represents "a transformed service, casting off the frustrations of the past and dedicated entirely on delivering a reliable passenger-focused service."

Rail leaders have acknowledged the government's commitment to improving services.

"We will carry on to work closely with all stakeholders to support a successful changeover to Great British Railways," one executive said.