First Great British Railways-branded train unveiled ahead of rail transition

The first train carrying Great British Railways (GBR) branding has officially been unveiled in Brighton, marking a symbolic milestone in the government’s plans to bring Britain’s railways under a more unified public structure.

Southern Class 387 unit 387172 became the first train to receive the new branding as the government moves closer towards the creation of Great British Railways and the wider reform of the UK rail network.

The launch comes just days before Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) formally transfers into public ownership under the Department for Transport Operator (DFTO) on 31 May.

The unveiling also coincides with the first anniversary of South Western Railway becoming publicly operated, with GTR set to become the ninth train operator to move under DFTO control.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander described the event as an important moment in the government’s rail reform programme.

“The unveiling of the first GBR-branded train in Brighton today makes the future of Britain’s railways a reality,” she said.

“This isn’t just a paint job — it’s an important step towards building a more joined-up, publicly-owned railway that puts passengers first, delivers better services and leaves the frustrations and fragmentation of the past behind.”

The new livery follows the publication of early GBR design concepts late last year, although the Department for Transport has confirmed the wider rollout of branding across trains, stations and staff uniforms will happen gradually over several years.

Future phases of the programme are expected to include updated station branding, signage and uniforms as the government continues work towards establishing Great British Railways as the central coordinating body for the national rail network.

GTR chief operating officer John Whitehurst said the operator was proud to become the first network to carry the new branding.

“We’re very pleased to be the first train operator to have a Great British Railways-branded train on our network,” he said.

“As we move closer to our transition to public ownership on 31 May, our priorities remain providing safe and reliable services every day.”

The government says Great British Railways will eventually oversee rail infrastructure, operations and passenger services in a bid to simplify a system that ministers argue has become fragmented under the existing franchise and operator model.