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The Transport Department has presented the logo and livery for the new national rail body, signifying a major step in its plans to bring the railways back into state hands.

A National Design and Historic Logo

The new design features a Union Flag-inspired colour scheme to reflect the UK flag and will be rolled out on locomotives, at stations, and across its website and app.

Notably, the emblem is the well-known twin-arrow symbol historically used by the national rail network and first designed in the 1960s for British Rail.

The Rollout Strategy

The implementation of the branding, which was created by the department, is expected to occur in phases.

Commuters are scheduled to begin noticing the freshly-liveried trains across the national network from the coming spring.

In the month of December, the branding will be displayed at major stations, like Manchester Piccadilly.

A Journey to Public Ownership

The Railways Bill, which will pave the way the creation of GBR, is presently moving through the legislative process.

The government has stated it is bringing back into public ownership the railways so the service is "owned by the passengers, working for the public, not for corporate interests."

The new body will unify the operation of train services and tracks and signals under one umbrella body.

The department has stated it will combine seventeen various bodies and "cut through the frustrating administrative hurdles and poor accountability that continues to plague the railways."

Digital Features and Current Ownership

The rollout of Great British Railways will also involve a new mobile application, which will let customers to see train times and purchase tickets without additional fees.

Passengers with disabilities travellers will also be able to use the app to book help.

A number of train companies had previously been nationalised under the outgoing administration, including LNER.

There are currently 7 train operators already in public hands, accounting for about a one-third of journeys.

In the past year, c2c have been nationalised, with further franchises likely to follow in the coming years.

Official and Sector Reaction

"This is not simply a paint job," commented the Transport Secretary. It signifies "a fresh start, leaving behind the issues of the past and concentrated entirely on delivering a proper public service."

Rail figures have acknowledged the pledge to improving the passenger experience.

"The industry will continue to collaborate with industry partners to facilitate a successful handover to the new system," a representative added.