Great British Railways livery: Alternative suggestions/variations

[Bletchleyite]

Angry eyes on the long distance version.

Will suit the Class 397 which to me looks like an angry wasp at the front!

 

[Class 323 Fan]

Here is my redesign!

I decided to keep the colour pallet the same and retain the sharp angles but I made the livery more appealing (for me at least) to look at.

I created an alternative livery variants for both ‘Long distance’ and ‘Local’ trains and brought back sectors because I think they look nice.

Any thoughts?

View attachment 193804

Wow, a lot better, best one I’ve seen, gives off a TPE vibe lol

 

[Peter Wilde]

Aside from Enrail or an English-only name, I mean BNRC like the French is the only way we could go as all of the others are just going back to British Rail(ways). It is almost like that name was figured out for very good reasons a long time ago, we just refuse to use it because we always must be 'greater'

I agree in disliking “Great” in the name - but can’t really get behind any of the suggested alternative names seen so far.

Suggest the sad fact is that the two logically best, concise and most obviously correct and euphonious names would be either “British Railways” or British Rail”. However, the politicians remain desperate not to re-use either of these, as they are stuck in an out-of-date mindset which believes that BR had a worse reputation than the privatised, balkanised railway that replaced it.

 

[nilvaj395]

I agree in disliking “Great” in the name - but can’t really get behind any of the suggested alternative names seen so far.

Suggest the sad fact is that the two logically best, concise and most obviously correct and euphonious names would be either “British Railways” or British Rail”. However, the politicians remain desperate not to re-use either of these, as they are stuck in an out-of-date mindset which believes that BR had a worse reputation than the privatised, balkanised railway that replaced it.

I would much want BR over all. I mean it dosent fit modern times in the sense that now we dont involve Wales and Scotland (albeit GBR will play some role in some stations in Scotland ie GLC/EDB?) and they kinda do their own thing but BR as a name is just so so so much simple and good of a name.

 

[Callum450]

Wow, that really does work. Presumably just the blue with dark window surround on the

For the black window bands I took inspiration from other liveries like ONE and Virgin Trains because I think train liveries look cleaner with them. (but that’s just a personal preference)

However I’m sure the livery works just as well with or without them.

 

[Sorcerer]

Here is my redesign!

I decided to keep the colour pallet the same and retain the sharp angles but I made the livery more appealing (for me at least) to look at.

I created an alternative livery variants for both ‘Long distance’ and ‘Local’ trains and brought back sectors because I think they look nice.

Any thoughts?

View attachment 193804

Wow, excellent work. You made use of every colour and pulled it off nicely!

 

[nilvaj395]

Here is my redesign!

I decided to keep the colour pallet the same and retain the sharp angles but I made the livery more appealing (for me at least) to look at.

I created an alternative livery variants for both ‘Long distance’ and ‘Local’ trains and brought back sectors because I think they look nice.

Any thoughts?

View attachment 193804

Much much much much much better, this is how it should've been. Thank you for replacing those ugly GBR text + logo at the front too!

 

[Krokodil]

I would much want BR over all. I mean it dosent fit modern times in the sense that now we dont involve Wales and Scotland (albeit GBR will play some role in some stations in Scotland ie GLC/EDB?) and they kinda do their own thing but BR as a name is just so so so much simple and good of a name.

[G]BR will be running the principal intercity services in all three nations. It's only the regional (and regional express, though that classification only existed in the UK in the form of "Alphaline") services which are devolved. Devolve all of the English regional services and everyone is in the same position.

 

[Sad Sprinter]

I would much want BR over all. I mean it dosent fit modern times in the sense that now we dont involve Wales and Scotland (albeit GBR will play some role in some stations in Scotland ie GLC/EDB?) and they kinda do their own thing but BR as a name is just so so so much simple and good of a name.

Welsh and Scottish people are still British though, British Rail really is the best name I agree

 

[Bletchleyite]

[G]BR will be running the principal intercity services in all three nations. It's only the regional (and regional express, though that classification only existed in the UK in the form of "Alphaline") services which are devolved.

They were wider than that - TransPennine Express and NorthWest Express to name two.

 

[Russel]

Here is my redesign!

I decided to keep the colour pallet the same and retain the sharp angles but I made the livery more appealing (for me at least) to look at.

I created an alternative livery variants for both ‘Long distance’ and ‘Local’ trains and brought back sectors because I think they look nice.

Any thoughts?

View attachment 193804

Finally, something that isn't trying to recreate a BR livery or look straight out of the 90s.

This is excellent, if you can find a way of sending it to the DFT/GBR, please do!

 

[nilvaj395]

Welsh and Scottish people are still British though, British Rail really is the best name I agree

They are, but their services are not becoming a part of this 'British Rail' now, far from it. This is mainly an England-only rebrand.

[G]BR will be running the principal intercity services in all three nations. It's only the regional (and regional express, though that classification only existed in the UK in the form of "Alphaline") services which are devolved. Devolve all of the English regional services and everyone is in the same position.

Very reasonable option, would also give an intercity service that is not out of place when going cross-border.

 

[Callum450]

This is excellent, if you can find a way of sending it to the DFT/GBR, please do!

If I knew how to I would give it a go

 

[Sad Sprinter]

They are, but their services are not becoming a part of this 'British Rail' now, far from it. This is mainly an England-only rebrand.

Very reasonable option, would also give an intercity service that is not out of place when going cross-border.

The rails they run on still are

 

[Bletchleyite]

Finally, something that isn't trying to recreate a BR livery or look straight out of the 90s.

The advantage of it (as can be seen) is that you can adjust the angle of the vertical elements to parallel the front of the train without making it look rubbish. The reason I don't like the original one is largely that the angles don't follow the front of the 80x so look odd (it looks OK on a 350 with its boxy front or the 156 wearing it on one of the example layouts). This solves that issue.

Liveries also look better, pretty much universally, with a black or charcoal window band. I don't think I've ever seen one that wasn't better with than without.

A simple shape like that also lends itself to variant liveries, e.g. you could use the shape of the GBR livery together with shades of yellow for Bee Network and Merseyrail City Line services, or indeed a joint Bee-Merseyside collaborative livery given that both use yellow and lots of services join the two.

 

[Russel]

The advantage of it (as can be seen) is that you can adjust the angle of the vertical elements to parallel the front of the train without making it look rubbish. The reason I don't like the original one is largely that the angles don't follow the front of the 80x so look odd (it looks OK on a 350 with its boxy front or the 156 wearing it on one of the example layouts). This solves that issue.

Liveries also look better, pretty much universally, with a black or charcoal window band. I don't think I've ever seen one that wasn't better with than without.

A simple shape like that also lends itself to variant liveries, e.g. you could use the shape of the GBR livery together with shades of yellow for Bee Network and Merseyrail City Line services, or indeed a joint Bee-Merseyside collaborative livery given that both use yellow and lots of services join the two.

Do you have a link to the 156 image?

Seen it referred to a couple of time but not found it.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Do you have a link to the 156 image?

Seen it referred to a couple of time but not found it.

You can only just see it, but it's at the back of the layout on the video on this post:

Great British Railways: Station identity and livery unveiling (09/12/25)

Is there a consultation somewhere yet?

www.railforums.co.uk

Edit: actually, it's not a 156 now I've zoomed in on it more closely, it's two intermediate 80x coaches! It looks very 156 like from a distance so I think we can conclude the livery *would* suit a 156! In general it seems to look OK on a squared-ended vehicle but not on a pointy one because the shape of the flag device doesn't align with the shape of the train's nose.

 

[Russel]

You can only just see it, but it's at the back of the layout on the video on this post:

Great British Railways: Station identity and livery unveiling (09/12/25)

Is there a consultation somewhere yet?

www.railforums.co.uk

Edit: actually, it's not a 156 now I've zoomed in on it more closely, it's two intermediate 80x coaches! It looks very 156 like from a distance so I think we can conclude the livery *would* suit a 156! In general it seems to look OK on a squared-ended vehicle but not on a pointy one because the shape of the flag device doesn't align with the shape of the train's nose.

No wonder I couldn't see a 156 anywhere!

To be fair, you're right, from a distance it does give you an idea of what the livery will look like on a Sprinter type DMU.

 

[lkbergen]

Hi folks, first time posting here, some of you know me professionally, and other from other places.

Anyway posting here because, yes, I've done my own versions

There are two, the first is the Navy Blue main shell, of my own liking, and the second is a compromise between GBR's proposed livery, and my own, in white bodyshell.

Third image is of a FLIRT in the second version.

Credit to William John Lane of Train Sim FB group, who reskin an 80x an made it look grand!

 

[Leyland Bus]

Hi folks, first time posting here, some of you know me professionally, and other from other places.

Anyway posting here because, yes, I've done my own versions

There are two, the first is the Navy Blue main shell, of my own liking, and the second is a compromise between GBR's proposed livery, and my own, in white bodyshell.

Third image is of a FLIRT in the second version.

Credit to William John Lane of Train Sim FB group, who reskin an 80x an made it look grand!

I quite like those aswell, seems simplicity really does look better

 

[Pete_uk]

Something simple
Image of a class 800 in white with black window bands and blue and white stripes

 

[Russel]

For as long as I can remember, white liveries have generally been criticized on here, yet loads of these alternatives are predominantly white!

 

[Smwrff]

TfW livery is white with red doors and trim. It works just fine.

 

[nilvaj395]

Hi folks, first time posting here, some of you know me professionally, and other from other places.

Anyway posting here because, yes, I've done my own versions

There are two, the first is the Navy Blue main shell, of my own liking, and the second is a compromise between GBR's proposed livery, and my own, in white bodyshell.

Third image is of a FLIRT in the second version.

Credit to William John Lane of Train Sim FB group, who reskin an 80x an made it look grand!

Hello, I saw you at EDB once! Purely personal opinion but my main gripes are the window surrounds being blue vs black and I (in general) do not like using the big GBR logo + text as I feel like the Rail Alphabet 2 blown up to massive proportions just looks bad/unprofessional, I really did not like how it was depicted in the DfT designs either, it's so much better just to use the Rail Symbol on its own unless you are trying to really drive home 'its different'. Why do you need to tell people in text that it is GBR unless you are in Scotland or Wales, not like the Rail Symbol and livery would do that already. I respect the good intentions of being simple and bold.

I cannot decide really, as I much prefer the non-white option from number 1 but with the front style from option 2 , I also am a big fan of liveries 'flowing' into the next coach like shown on the FLIRT design and in other past liveries like VTEC red, which is quite similar (lines underneath window with black surrounds + the 'flow' design).

The rails they run on still are

That's more of an further issue with the whole GBR rebranding to me. I think someone has said it already but we really should've separated the (National) Infrastructure from the (English) Operator. There was to me really no issue with keeping Network Rail as it is, and this is a very common option (Infrabel vs SNCB, Prorail vs NS, etc). DB do maintain their own tracks as far as I am aware but its also DB with its own issues, and SNCF too I guess. I think this is more of an issue given ScotRail and TfW are staying (and still are the responsibility of their own parliaments), which complicates things so while it is better than the 'blame game' of privatisation it is also still missing out on the full benefits of a unified system regardless and control is still more limited than it could be. You will still have issues when it comes to 'whose fault was it', but they might now be between ScotRail and GBR as opposed to ScotRail and... well... Network Rail?

It also feels like an insult to impose the GBR name as an English DfT decision on the relatively much more forward-thinking and ambitious Scottish and Welsh networks, and I am sure there will be some people on the extreme ends who take offense to 'ScotRail/TfW trains are now running on Great British Railways tracks', as opposed to the neutral Network Rail and especially considering their railways will remain a devolved matter to the Scottish or Welsh governments.

Here is my redesign!

I decided to keep the colour pallet the same and retain the sharp angles but I made the livery more appealing (for me at least) to look at.

I created an alternative livery variants for both ‘Long distance’ and ‘Local’ trains and brought back sectors because I think they look nice.

Any thoughts?

I have already said my feelings on the livery I am aware, but this might be an interesting thought for others here. Would there be any opposition to bringing back other symbols such as the Intercity Swallow or other small extra details? I think it looks so much better to denoting an intercity service from a regional one, and the Swallow looks far better in that position than the GBR logo (and/or text) ever will. It looks classy which influenced why I really liked that design.

Also food for thought, should we follow in the footsteps of the likes of ScotRail and have some coloured guidelines along the new livery to denote wheelchair spaces, bike spaces, etc?

 

[AlterEgo]

I agree in disliking “Great” in the name - but can’t really get behind any of the suggested alternative names seen so far.

Suggest the sad fact is that the two logically best, concise and most obviously correct and euphonious names would be either “British Railways” or British Rail”. However, the politicians remain desperate not to re-use either of these, as they are stuck in an out-of-date mindset which believes that BR had a worse reputation than the privatised, balkanised railway that replaced it.

Among the public that is certainly true. Thankfully those in charge are deaf to enthusiasts and their petty gripes. There was no chance of BR making a comeback as a brand.

 

[Northerngirl]

Hi folks, first time posting here, some of you know me professionally, and other from other places.

Anyway posting here because, yes, I've done my own versions

There are two, the first is the Navy Blue main shell, of my own liking, and the second is a compromise between GBR's proposed livery, and my own, in white bodyshell.

Third image is of a FLIRT in the second version.

Credit to William John Lane of Train Sim FB group, who reskin an 80x an made it look grand!

Another fantastic one, its incredible how some nerds will Microsoft paint are able to so significantly do better that the British government

 

[Sad Sprinter]

Hello, I saw you at EDB once! Purely personal opinion but my main gripes are the window surrounds being blue vs black and I (in general) do not like using the big GBR logo + text as I feel like the Rail Alphabet 2 blown up to massive proportions just looks bad/unprofessional, I really did not like how it was depicted in the DfT designs either, it's so much better just to use the Rail Symbol on its own unless you are trying to really drive home 'its different'. Why do you need to tell people in text that it is GBR unless you are in Scotland or Wales, not like the Rail Symbol and livery would do that already. I respect the good intentions of being simple and bold.

I cannot decide really, as I much prefer the non-white option from number 1 but with the front style from option 2 , I also am a big fan of liveries 'flowing' into the next coach like shown on the FLIRT design and in other past liveries like VTEC red, which is quite similar (lines underneath window with black surrounds + the 'flow' design).

That's more of an further issue with the whole GBR rebranding to me. I think someone has said it already but we really should've separated the (National) Infrastructure from the (English) Operator. There was to me really no issue with keeping Network Rail as it is, and this is a very common option (Infrabel vs SNCB, Prorail vs NS, etc). DB do maintain their own tracks as far as I am aware but its also DB with its own issues, and SNCF too I guess. I think this is more of an issue given ScotRail and TfW are staying (and still are the responsibility of their own parliaments), which complicates things so while it is better than the 'blame game' of privatisation it is also still missing out on the full benefits of a unified system regardless and control is still more limited than it could be. You will still have issues when it comes to 'whose fault was it', but they might now be between ScotRail and GBR as opposed to ScotRail and... well... Network Rail?

It also feels like an insult to impose the GBR name as an English DfT decision on the relatively much more forward-thinking and ambitious Scottish and Welsh networks, and I am sure there will be some people on the extreme ends who take offense to 'ScotRail/TfW trains are now running on Great British Railways tracks', as opposed to the neutral Network Rail and especially considering their railways will remain a devolved matter to the Scottish or Welsh governments.

I have already said my feelings on the livery I am aware, but this might be an interesting thought for others here. Would there be any opposition to bringing back other symbols such as the Intercity Swallow or other small extra details? I think it looks so much better to denoting an intercity service from a regional one, and the Swallow looks far better in that position than the GBR logo (and/or text) ever will. It looks classy which influenced why I really liked that design.

Also food for thought, should we follow in the footsteps of the likes of ScotRail and have some coloured guidelines along the new livery to denote wheelchair spaces, bike spaces, etc?

I really feel at some point we’ve just got to get on with the fact we’re a country and stop worrying about whether the word ‘British’ is uncomfortable for people.

 

[lkbergen]

Hello, I saw you at EDB once! Purely personal opinion but my main gripes are the window surrounds being blue vs black and I (in general) do not like using the big GBR logo + text as I feel like the Rail Alphabet 2 blown up to massive proportions just looks bad/unprofessional, I really did not like how it was depicted in the DfT designs either, it's so much better just to use the Rail Symbol on its own unless you are trying to really drive home 'its different'. Why do you need to tell people in text that it is GBR unless you are in Scotland or Wales, not like the Rail Symbol and livery would do that already. I respect the good intentions of being simple and bold.

I cannot decide really, as I much prefer the non-white option from number 1 but with the front style from option 2 , I also am a big fan of liveries 'flowing' into the next coach like shown on the FLIRT design and in other past liveries like VTEC red, which is quite similar (lines underneath window with black surrounds + the 'flow' design).

Also food for thought, should we follow in the footsteps of the likes of ScotRail and have some coloured guidelines along the new livery to denote wheelchair spaces, bike spaces, etc?

Ah, hello! Do come and say hello next time!

So, here a few more; my guess is that many prefer the white InterCity look, well, to distinguish between IC and regional operations; here's an example of a class 707 and a class 168 in my regional livery.

Important to note I did also add some detailing for accessibility spaces and 1/2 class. The livery flexibility also allows for details for cycle spaces...

Ps, with the versions I've sent to the DfT; I removed any textual elements with regards to "GBR".

 

[renegademaster]

They are, but their services are not becoming a part of this 'British Rail' now, far from it. This is mainly an England-only rebrand.

Some of their services will be run by their devolved TOCs some won't be.



Ideally GBR will be the public facing brand for everywhere and Scotland and Wales are basically regions like Southern and Western will be . The Scottish government can still set fares and service specification and handle some marketing for national services but It should be tried as much as possible to keep the branding the same across Britain

 

[Russel]

Ah, hello! Do come and say hello next time!

So, here a few more; my guess is that many prefer the white InterCity look, well, to distinguish between IC and regional operations; here's an example of a class 707 and a class 168 in my regional livery.

Important to note I did also add some detailing for accessibility spaces and 1/2 class. The livery flexibility also allows for details for cycle spaces...

Ps, with the versions I've sent to the DfT; I removed any textual elements with regards to "GBR".

With respect, these are bland and out-dated designs, the GBR livery needs to be fresh and modern, not this.