Alstom-built trains unveiled in new Great British Railways identity

The first Alstom-built trains to carry the new Great British Railways identity for a train operator have been unveiled.

At a recent ceremony held at London Liverpool Street railway station, two Class 357 Electrostar units and two Class 720 Aventra units, all built at the firm’s Litchurch Lane Works in Derby, were displayed in the distinctive red, white and blue GBR livery.

The trains are operated by GBR Anglia, which brings c2c, Greater Anglia and Network Rail Anglia together under one unified leadership team, aligning track and train more closely to improve reliability, resilience and customer service across the region.

Mitchel Sheffield, senior operations and project manager at Alstom, said: “It is great to see many of our Derby-built Class 357 trains in passenger service following their exterior refresh works – even more so seeing two units in the new GBR livery.

“We are committed to continue supporting our customers fleets to provide a much-improved passenger experience and hope to encourage more people to travel by rail.

“We look forward to continuing to the works with c2c over the remainder of this project.”

Great British Railways is a new public body that will integrate all aspects of the rail network with an aim to make UK railways more efficient.

It will bring together the work of 17 different organisations into a single organisation responsible for operating, maintaining and improving the UK’s railways.

Derby was named as the home of GBR’s HQ in March 2023 after a competitive bid process, which highlighted the city’s strong rail heritage, existing industry presence and central national location.

It has also been home to a GBR Transition Team office in John Ellis House since 2024.

A decision on the precise location of GBR’s Derby permanent headquarters is expected soon.

In the meantime, GBR is building its brand identity – with the new GBR Anglia liveried trains the latest example.

Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy, who attended the unveiling, said: “Track and train are two sides of the same coin but for too long they operated independently of each other, with passengers and taxpayers left to bear the consequences.

“By uniting track and train under one identity and leadership in Anglia, we’re creating a more reliable service that will put passengers first.

“It’s all part of our plan to deliver the biggest reform of our railways in a generation, creating more growth, jobs and homes as we work to set up Great British Railways.”