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The Transport Department has presented the branding for the new national rail body, representing a key step in its strategy to take the railways under public control.

A National Design and Historic Emblem

The fresh branding showcases a red, white and blue colour scheme to mirror the national flag and will be used on rolling stock, at stations, and across its website and app.

Significantly, the symbol is the recognisable twin-arrow logo presently used by the national rail network and first designed in the 1960s for British Rail.

A Introduction Plan

The phased introduction of the branding, which was developed by the department, is set to occur gradually.

Passengers are scheduled to begin spotting the freshly-liveried trains on the UK rail network from next spring.

In December, the branding will be displayed at prominent stations, such as Leeds City.

A Journey to Nationalisation

The Railways Bill, which will allow the establishment of GBR, is currently progressing through the Parliament.

The government has said it is renationalising the railways so the service is "run by the people, delivering for the public, not for private shareholders."

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

The department has claimed it will unify seventeen different organisations and "cut through the notorious red tape and accountability gap that hinders the railways."

Digital Services and Existing Public Control

The introduction of GBR will also involve a new mobile application, which will enable users to view train times and book journeys absent surcharges.

Disabled passengers will also be able to use the app to arrange assistance.

Multiple franchises had previously been taken into public control under the previous government, including Northern.

There are currently 7 train operators now in state ownership, representing about a one-third of journeys.

In the past year, Greater Anglia have been nationalised, with additional operators anticipated to be added in the coming years.

Ministerial and Sector Comments

"The new design is more than a paint job," commented the Transport Secretary. It symbolises "a fresh start, casting off the frustrations of the previous system and focused entirely on delivering a reliable passenger-focused service."

Rail figures have acknowledged the pledge to enhancing services.

"The industry will carry on to collaborate with relevant bodies to ensure a seamless transition to the new system," one executive added.