Cambridge South station will open to passengers on 28 June, the Department >for Transport has announced.
Trains will start calling then at the -u250 million station, and there will >be an official opening ceremony the following day.
As many as 20 trains an hour will be calling during the peaks,
and the DfT
is predicting that it will attract 1.8 million users a year.
It will also be the first station to be rCyfully brandedrCO for Great British >Railways.
The station will provide a direct link to the cityrCOs Biomedical Campus, >which includes scientific establishments, NHS hospitals and business
centres.
Rail minister Lord Peter Hendy said: rCyBacked by -u250 million government >investment, Cambridge South will open up access to jobs, homes and >world-class facilities for people across the region,
boosting the growth of the Biomedical Campus as one of the most
important engines of growth in the country.
rCyAs the first new Great British Railways branded station, the opening is an >important milestone for our railways and a sign of the real change public >ownership will deliver. Faster connections supporting economic growth, >thousands more jobs and homes and a railway that works for the communities
it serves.rCO
Cambridge South will the cityrCOs third station, following the opening of >Cambridge North ten years ago. A fourth, at Cambridge East, is also being >proposed by the East West Rail Co.
Cambridge South should have opened last year but the project was delayed >twice. One of these delays was caused by a contractorrCOs bankruptcy.--
In message <WrnMR.2$hI1.0@fx16.ams1>, at 16:27:34 on Mon, 11 May 2026, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
Cambridge South station will open to passengers on 28 June, the Department >for Transport has announced.
Trains will start calling then at the -u250 million station, and there will >be an official opening ceremony the following day.
The officials can't be arsed to turn out on a Sunday, I suppose.
As many as 20 trains an hour will be calling during the peaks,
Every one of them therefore having the journey time for the vast
majority of pax not getting on or off at the station, increased
by a couple of minutes.
and the DfT
is predicting that it will attract 1.8 million users a year.
That's just 5,000 a day, and probably the metric is entries+exits, so
only 2,500 actual people.
It will also be the first station to be rCyfully brandedrCO for Great British
Railways.
There's some chatter locally about exactly what this means. Some say
it's the first GBR station on the Cambridge-London line, rather than nationally.
The station will provide a direct link to the cityrCOs Biomedical Campus, >which includes scientific establishments, NHS hospitals and business >centres.
A 15 minute walk to Outpatients, according to Google Maps, although they appear to be ignoring a short-cut that would knock a couple of minutes
off. Of course, that's from the station exit (at the far north end of
the station), the platforms are 250m long and then there's the
overbridge to transition as well.
Rail minister Lord Peter Hendy said: rCyBacked by -u250 million government >investment, Cambridge South will open up access to jobs, homes and >world-class facilities for people across the region,
Only the people who also live near to another railway station to enable
the start of their journey.
In message <WrnMR.2$hI1.0@fx16.ams1>, at 16:27:34 on Mon, 11 May 2026, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
Cambridge South station will open to passengers on 28 June, the Department >for Transport has announced.
Trains will start calling then at the -u250 million station, and there will >be an official opening ceremony the following day.
The officials can't be arsed to turn out on a Sunday, I suppose.
As many as 20 trains an hour will be calling during the peaks,
Every one of them therefore having the journey time for the vast
majority of pax not getting on or off at the station, increased
by a couple of minutes.
and the DfT
is predicting that it will attract 1.8 million users a year.
That's just 5,000 a day, and probably the metric is entries+exits, so
only 2,500 actual people.
It will also be the first station to be rCyfully brandedrCO for Great British
Railways.
There's some chatter locally about exactly what this means. Some say
it's the first GBR station on the Cambridge-London line, rather than nationally.
The station will provide a direct link to the cityrCOs Biomedical Campus, >which includes scientific establishments, NHS hospitals and business >centres.
A 15 minute walk to Outpatients, according to Google Maps, although they appear to be ignoring a short-cut that would knock a couple of minutes
off. Of course, that's from the station exit (at the far north end of
the station), the platforms are 250m long and then there's the
overbridge to transition as well.
Rail minister Lord Peter Hendy said: rCyBacked by -u250 million government >investment, Cambridge South will open up access to jobs, homes and >world-class facilities for people across the region,
Only the people who also live near to another railway station to enable
the start of their journey.
boosting the growth of the Biomedical Campus as one of the most
important engines of growth in the country.
rCyAs the first new Great British Railways branded station, the opening is an
important milestone for our railways and a sign of the real change public >ownership will deliver. Faster connections supporting economic growth, >thousands more jobs and homes and a railway that works for the communities >it serves.rCO
See above, and doesn't work for the communities it fails to serve. There
was someone from Huntingdon moaning about this in a forum today, and the biggest "New Town" (originally one of Gordon Brwon's Eco-Towns)
development in the region at Northstowe doesn't have a station. Of
course it has the guided bus, but that's been there a long time and the
new railway station is irrelevant to it.
Cambridge South will the cityrCOs third station, following the opening of >Cambridge North ten years ago. A fourth, at Cambridge East, is also being >proposed by the East West Rail Co.
Cambridge East is interesting, it's on short spur from Cambridge
Central, and is to turn trains which arrive from the West due to there
being no spare capacity at Cambridge Central. The Eastern section of East-West rail (Cambridge to the coast via Newmarket and Bury) continues
to be air-brushed out.
Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <WrnMR.2$hI1.0@fx16.ams1>, at 16:27:34 on Mon, 11 May 2026,
Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
Cambridge South station will open to passengers on 28 June, the Department >>> for Transport has announced.
Trains will start calling then at the -u250 million station, and there will >>> be an official opening ceremony the following day.
The officials can't be arsed to turn out on a Sunday, I suppose.
It's typical to have a 'soft start' opening, so any snags can be sorted. Better to discover the toilets don't work properly when there are few people about, than during the grand opening.
Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> posted:
In message <WrnMR.2$hI1.0@fx16.ams1>, at 16:27:34 on Mon, 11 May 2026,
Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
Cambridge South station will open to passengers on 28 June, the Department >> >for Transport has announced.
Trains will start calling then at the -u250 million station, and there will >> >be an official opening ceremony the following day.
The officials can't be arsed to turn out on a Sunday, I suppose.
As many as 20 trains an hour will be calling during the peaks,
Every one of them therefore having the journey time for the vast
majority of pax not getting on or off at the station, increased
by a couple of minutes.
What about other services? There will be how many not to call at South >station?
and the DfT
is predicting that it will attract 1.8 million users a year.
That's just 5,000 a day, and probably the metric is entries+exits, so
only 2,500 actual people.
What about changing trains?
It will also be the first station to be rCyfully brandedrCO for
Great British Railways.
There's some chatter locally about exactly what this means. Some say
it's the first GBR station on the Cambridge-London line, rather than
nationally.
The station will provide a direct link to the cityrCOs Biomedical Campus, >> >which includes scientific establishments, NHS hospitals and business
centres.
A 15 minute walk to Outpatients, according to Google Maps, although they
appear to be ignoring a short-cut that would knock a couple of minutes
off. Of course, that's from the station exit (at the far north end of
the station), the platforms are 250m long and then there's the
overbridge to transition as well.
Rail minister Lord Peter Hendy said: rCyBacked by -u250 million government >> >investment, Cambridge South will open up access to jobs, homes and
world-class facilities for people across the region,
Only the people who also live near to another railway station to enable
the start of their journey.
BTW, what about local transport from and to South station?
On 12/05/2026 12:00, Theo wrote:
Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:I recall, many decades ago, being in New Zealand when a new non-stop
In message <WrnMR.2$hI1.0@fx16.ams1>, at 16:27:34 on Mon, 11 May 2026,
Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
Cambridge South station will open to passengers on 28 June, the Department >>>> for Transport has announced.
Trains will start calling then at the -u250 million station, and there will
be an official opening ceremony the following day.
The officials can't be arsed to turn out on a Sunday, I suppose.
It's typical to have a 'soft start' opening, so any snags can be sorted.
Better to discover the toilets don't work properly when there are few people >> about, than during the grand opening.
rail service between Wellington and Auckland was started. On the press journey the non-stop train had to stop twice .. to refill the water
tanks for the toilets as the journalists drank so much!
Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <WrnMR.2$hI1.0@fx16.ams1>, at 16:27:34 on Mon, 11 May 2026,
Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
Cambridge South station will open to passengers on 28 June, the Department >> >for Transport has announced.
Trains will start calling then at the -u250 million station, and there will >> >be an official opening ceremony the following day.
The officials can't be arsed to turn out on a Sunday, I suppose.
It's typical to have a 'soft start' opening, so any snags can be sorted. >Better to discover the toilets don't work properly when there are few people >about, than during the grand opening.
As many as 20 trains an hour will be calling during the peaks,
Every one of them therefore having the journey time for the vast
majority of pax not getting on or off at the station, increased
by a couple of minutes.
and the DfT
is predicting that it will attract 1.8 million users a year.
That's just 5,000 a day, and probably the metric is entries+exits, so
only 2,500 actual people.
1.8m makes it the 316th busiest in the country, similar to Halifax, >Broxbourne, Chesterfield, Letchworth and more than Dundee, Ebbsfleet, >Gloucester, Taunton, etc.
It will also be the first station to be rCyfully brandedrCO for
Great British
Railways.
There's some chatter locally about exactly what this means. Some say
it's the first GBR station on the Cambridge-London line, rather than
nationally.
Presumably it means the signage etc will be in GBR colours. I don't think >any other stations are using them?
The station will provide a direct link to the cityrCOs Biomedical Campus, >> >which includes scientific establishments, NHS hospitals and business
centres.
A 15 minute walk to Outpatients, according to Google Maps, although they
appear to be ignoring a short-cut that would knock a couple of minutes
off. Of course, that's from the station exit (at the far north end of
the station), the platforms are 250m long and then there's the
overbridge to transition as well.
A much shorter walk to the Addenbrookes Treatment Centre.
You can also reach Outpatients much quicker by going into the corridor
by the Food Court and taking the long corridor on level 2, rather than
going around the outside.
Many times you might have clinics which are off the main corridor
towards the ATC and you can approach them from that end, rather than going
in the outpatients front door and turning right.
Rail minister Lord Peter Hendy said: rCyBacked by -u250 million government >> >investment, Cambridge South will open up access to jobs, homes and
world-class facilities for people across the region,
Only the people who also live near to another railway station to enable
the start of their journey.
...which is quite a lot of people. Plus those who are able to
bus/cycle
/drive to one.
For those who get jobs on the biocampus, it opens up opportunities of
moving near to a station served with direct trains.
boosting the growth of the Biomedical Campus as one of the most
important engines of growth in the country.
rCyAs the first new Great British Railways branded station, the
opening is an
important milestone for our railways and a sign of the real change public >> >ownership will deliver. Faster connections supporting economic growth,
thousands more jobs and homes and a railway that works for the communities >> >it serves.rCO
See above, and doesn't work for the communities it fails to serve. There
was someone from Huntingdon moaning about this in a forum today, and the
biggest "New Town" (originally one of Gordon Brwon's Eco-Towns)
development in the region at Northstowe doesn't have a station. Of
course it has the guided bus, but that's been there a long time and the
new railway station is irrelevant to it.
Northstowe has direct guided buses to Addenbrookes, so is already catered
for with public transport.
The argument about whether the guided bus should be/have been a train/tram >has been well-discussed here and elsewhere.
Cambridge South will the cityrCOs third station, following the opening of >> >Cambridge North ten years ago. A fourth, at Cambridge East, is also being >> >proposed by the East West Rail Co.
Cambridge East is interesting, it's on short spur from Cambridge
Central, and is to turn trains which arrive from the West due to there
being no spare capacity at Cambridge Central. The Eastern section of
East-West rail (Cambridge to the coast via Newmarket and Bury) continues
to be air-brushed out.
I think Cambridge East would mean upgrading of the Ipswich line - eg double >tracking to say Fulbourn.
That benefits non-EWR services. Whether there will be trains from
Ipswich towards Oxford remains to be seen.
In message <ijD*simGA@news.chiark.greenend.org.uk>, at 12:00:24 on Tue,
12 May 2026, Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> remarked:
Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <WrnMR.2$hI1.0@fx16.ams1>, at 16:27:34 on Mon, 11 May 2026,
Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
Cambridge South station will open to passengers on 28 June, the Department >>> >for Transport has announced.
Trains will start calling then at the -u250 million station, and there will
be an official opening ceremony the following day.
The officials can't be arsed to turn out on a Sunday, I suppose.
It's typical to have a 'soft start' opening, so any snags can be sorted. >>Better to discover the toilets don't work properly when there are few people >>about, than during the grand opening.
You seriously think they can discover and fix such snags overnight
Saturday to Sunday???? And anyway, the stations been sitting there
finished for weeks with no trains stopping, there's plenty on
opportunity to test the toilets, and god forbid the contractor tested
them before handing it over to GBR.
On 2026-05-12 4:41 a.m., ColinR wrote:
On 12/05/2026 12:00, Theo wrote:
Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:I recall, many decades ago, being in New Zealand when a new non-stop
In message <WrnMR.2$hI1.0@fx16.ams1>, at 16:27:34 on Mon, 11 May 2026, >>>> Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
Cambridge South station will open to passengers on 28 June, the
Department
for Transport has announced.
Trains will start calling then at the -u250 million station, and
there will
be an official opening ceremony the following day.
The officials can't be arsed to turn out on a Sunday, I suppose.
It's typical to have a 'soft start' opening, so any snags can be sorted. >>> Better to discover the toilets don't work properly when there are few
people
about, than during the grand opening.
rail service between Wellington and Auckland was started. On the press
journey the non-stop train had to stop twice .. to refill the water
tanks for the toilets as the journalists drank so much!
Non-stop, really?-a It must've been a v-e-r-y short-lived experiment. Various upgrades/changes-in-service have seen the number of stops
reduced.-a The biggest change was when the long lunch-time call at
Taihape disappeared once a proper cafe car was included.-a Currently, the Northern Explorer still has pickup/dropoff service at eight intermediate points, which is one more (Taumarunui) than the last time I travelled
north and south just over ten years ago.
On 12/05/2026 17:27, Nobody wrote:
On 2026-05-12 4:41 a.m., ColinR wrote:
On 12/05/2026 12:00, Theo wrote:
It's typical to have a 'soft start' opening, so any snags can be sorted. >>>> Better to discover the toilets don't work properly when there are fewI recall, many decades ago, being in New Zealand when a new non-stop
people
about, than during the grand opening.
rail service between Wellington and Auckland was started. On the press
journey the non-stop train had to stop twice .. to refill the water
tanks for the toilets as the journalists drank so much!
Non-stop, really?-a It must've been a v-e-r-y short-lived experiment.
Various upgrades/changes-in-service have seen the number of stops
reduced.-a The biggest change was when the long lunch-time call at
Taihape disappeared once a proper cafe car was included.-a Currently, the
Northern Explorer still has pickup/dropoff service at eight intermediate
points, which is one more (Taumarunui) than the last time I travelled
north and south just over ten years ago.
This would have been early seventies ...
Quoting Mr Kutzner's favourite Wonkpedia:
In message <1778576942-2991@newsgrouper.org>, at 09:09:02 on Tue, 12 May 2026, Ulf Kutzner <user2991@newsgrouper.org.invalid> remarked:[snip]
Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> posted:
BTW, what about local transport from and to South station?
There isn't any. The station is in effect in the middle of field west of
the Biocampus, no car park or other vehicular access (although I need to
do a site visit to confirm there's no kiss-and-ride facility, whether
for taxis or the general public)..
Bus stops are all within the Biocampus, and correspondence I've been
having today with the Hospital says they don't yet have agreement for
their round-site shuttle bus to call additionally at the station.
On 2026-05-12 3:00 p.m., ColinR wrote:
On 12/05/2026 17:27, Nobody wrote:
On 2026-05-12 4:41 a.m., ColinR wrote:
On 12/05/2026 12:00, Theo wrote:
It's typical to have a 'soft start' opening, so any snags can beI recall, many decades ago, being in New Zealand when a new non-stop
sorted.
Better to discover the toilets don't work properly when there are few >>>>> people
about, than during the grand opening.
rail service between Wellington and Auckland was started. On the press >>>> journey the non-stop train had to stop twice .. to refill the water
tanks for the toilets as the journalists drank so much!
Non-stop, really?-a It must've been a v-e-r-y short-lived experiment.
Various upgrades/changes-in-service have seen the number of stops
reduced.-a The biggest change was when the long lunch-time call at
Taihape disappeared once a proper cafe car was included.-a Currently, the >>> Northern Explorer still has pickup/dropoff service at eight intermediate >>> points, which is one more (Taumarunui) than the last time I travelled
north and south just over ten years ago.
This would have been early seventies ...
The only service I can dredge up from that era would point to the Silver Star, but it still paused at six places on the way with an all-sleeper consist; it would be hard to imagine any service not including Hamilton- Wellington and Palmerston North-Auckland as viable overnight
combinations.-a Quoting Mr Kutzner's favourite Wonkpedia:
"The Silver Star was a luxury passenger train that ran overnight between Auckland and Wellington on the North Island Main Trunk railway of New Zealand, operated by New Zealand Railways. The train ran from Monday 6 September 1971 until Sunday 8 June 1979. It replaced the Night Limited express passenger trains which provided a faster service than the
ordinary express trains, by stopping at only six intermediate stations
en route and not hauling a postal van as on previous trains."
The cars which had been manufactured by Hitachi and Nippon Sharyo were purchased years later in 1990 by Orient-Express Trains & Cruises (an off-shoot of Orient-Express Hotels).-a They were re-gauged from Cape to metre-gauge before most were shipped off to Singapore for refurbishment
and still run as the Eastern and Oriental Express luxury train up to Bangkok.-a A few stragglers were finally flogged off by Orient-Express as recently as between late 2012 and 2016 after (from vague memory)
mouldering at what had been A. G. Price in Thames.
On 12 May 2026 17:12, Roland Perry wrote:
In message <1778576942-2991@newsgrouper.org>, at 09:09:02 on Tue, 12 May[snip]
2026, Ulf Kutzner <user2991@newsgrouper.org.invalid> remarked:
Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> posted:
BTW, what about local transport from and to South station?
There isn't any. The station is in effect in the middle of field west of
the Biocampus, no car park or other vehicular access (although I need to
do a site visit to confirm there's no kiss-and-ride facility, whether
for taxis or the general public)..
Bus stops are all within the Biocampus, and correspondence I've been
having today with the Hospital says they don't yet have agreement for
their round-site shuttle bus to call additionally at the station.
Is there not a bus stop on Francis Crick Avenue?
On Tue, 12 May 2026 18:01:51 +0100, Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <ijD*simGA@news.chiark.greenend.org.uk>, at 12:00:24 on Tue,
12 May 2026, Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> remarked:
Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <WrnMR.2$hI1.0@fx16.ams1>, at 16:27:34 on Mon, 11 May 2026, >>>> Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
Cambridge South station will open to passengers on 28 June, the Department
for Transport has announced.
Trains will start calling then at the u250 million station, and
there will
be an official opening ceremony the following day.
The officials can't be arsed to turn out on a Sunday, I suppose.
It's typical to have a 'soft start' opening, so any snags can be sorted. >>>Better to discover the toilets don't work properly when there are few people >>>about, than during the grand opening.
You seriously think they can discover and fix such snags overnight
Saturday to Sunday???? And anyway, the stations been sitting there >>finished for weeks with no trains stopping, there's plenty on
opportunity to test the toilets, and god forbid the contractor tested
them before handing it over to GBR.
Yet again, there's no such organisation.
The station may have the future branding, but it was built by Murphys,
for NR, and will be managed by GA.
https://www.networkrail.co.uk/our-work/our-routes/anglia/improving-the-r >ailway-in-anglia/cambridge-south-station/--
On 12 May 2026 17:12, Roland Perry wrote:
In message <1778576942-2991@newsgrouper.org>, at 09:09:02 on Tue, 12 May[snip]
2026, Ulf Kutzner <user2991@newsgrouper.org.invalid> remarked:
Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> posted:
BTW, what about local transport from and to South station?
There isn't any. The station is in effect in the middle of field west of
the Biocampus, no car park or other vehicular access (although I need to
do a site visit to confirm there's no kiss-and-ride facility, whether
for taxis or the general public)..
Bus stops are all within the Biocampus, and correspondence I've been
having today with the Hospital says they don't yet have agreement for
their round-site shuttle bus to call additionally at the station.
Is there not a bus stop on Francis Crick Avenue?
In message <9b470l90urml0o5m7c9mh7ud43kq7lhvju@4ax.com>, at 21:53:10 on
Tue, 12 May 2026, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
On Tue, 12 May 2026 18:01:51 +0100, Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <ijD*simGA@news.chiark.greenend.org.uk>, at 12:00:24 on Tue,
12 May 2026, Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> remarked:
Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <WrnMR.2$hI1.0@fx16.ams1>, at 16:27:34 on Mon, 11 May 2026, >>>>> Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
Cambridge South station will open to passengers on 28 June, the Department
for Transport has announced.
Trains will start calling then at the -u250 million station, and
there will
be an official opening ceremony the following day.
The officials can't be arsed to turn out on a Sunday, I suppose.
It's typical to have a 'soft start' opening, so any snags can be sorted. >>>> Better to discover the toilets don't work properly when there are few people
about, than during the grand opening.
You seriously think they can discover and fix such snags overnight
Saturday to Sunday???? And anyway, the stations been sitting there
finished for weeks with no trains stopping, there's plenty on
opportunity to test the toilets, and god forbid the contractor tested
them before handing it over to GBR.
Yet again, there's no such organisation.
Sadly, the marketing people promoting the station opening all over
social media, don't realise that.
The station may have the future branding, but it was built by Murphys,
for NR, and will be managed by GA.
But GA is nationalised, and hence part of GBR (in many people's minds).
In the news again, today, as part of the GA/C2C/NR consortium.
In message <n6iriqF82ecU1@mid.individual.net>, at 09:37:46 on Wed, 13
May 2026, Rupert Moss-Eccardt <news@moss-eccardt.com> remarked:
On 12 May 2026 17:12, Roland Perry wrote:
In message <1778576942-2991@newsgrouper.org>, at 09:09:02 on Tue, 12 May >>> 2026, Ulf Kutzner <user2991@newsgrouper.org.invalid> remarked:[snip]
Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> posted:
BTW, what about local transport from and to South station?
There isn't any. The station is in effect in the middle of field west of >>> the Biocampus, no car park or other vehicular access (although I need to >>> do a site visit to confirm there's no kiss-and-ride facility, whether
for taxis or the general public)..
Bus stops are all within the Biocampus, and correspondence I've been
having today with the Hospital says they don't yet have agreement for
their round-site shuttle bus to call additionally at the station.
Is there not a bus stop on Francis Crick Avenue?
For some buses, and it's quite a way from the station.
Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <9b470l90urml0o5m7c9mh7ud43kq7lhvju@4ax.com>, at 21:53:10 on
Tue, 12 May 2026, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
On Tue, 12 May 2026 18:01:51 +0100, Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote: >>>
In message <ijD*simGA@news.chiark.greenend.org.uk>, at 12:00:24 on Tue, >>>> 12 May 2026, Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> remarked:
Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <WrnMR.2$hI1.0@fx16.ams1>, at 16:27:34 on Mon, 11 May 2026, >>>>>> Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
Cambridge South station will open to passengers on 28 June, the Department
for Transport has announced.
Trains will start calling then at the -u250 million station, and >>>>>>> there will
be an official opening ceremony the following day.
The officials can't be arsed to turn out on a Sunday, I suppose.
It's typical to have a 'soft start' opening, so any snags can be sorted. >>>>> Better to discover the toilets don't work properly when there are few people
about, than during the grand opening.
You seriously think they can discover and fix such snags overnight
Saturday to Sunday???? And anyway, the stations been sitting there
finished for weeks with no trains stopping, there's plenty on
opportunity to test the toilets, and god forbid the contractor tested
them before handing it over to GBR.
Yet again, there's no such organisation.
Sadly, the marketing people promoting the station opening all over
social media, don't realise that.
We donrCOt have to descend to the uninformed level of social media.
The station may have the future branding, but it was built by Murphys,
for NR, and will be managed by GA.
But GA is nationalised, and hence part of GBR (in many people's minds).
In the news again, today, as part of the GA/C2C/NR consortium.
Yes, this has been underway for months, and described in detail in the railway press. They call it the Integrated Railway. But, in reality, only
the top execs have cross-company responsibilities, and the three companies remain legally and financially separate. So itrCOs really only a virtually integrated railway until it officially becomes part of GBR, probably in
2028. There are similar integrated chunks in SE and SWR territory. But, strangely enough, itrCOs not happened with the TOCs that were nationalised earlier, such as Northern, LNER or TPE, perhaps because they didnrCOt map so neatly on to NR Routes.
https://www.greateranglia.co.uk/about-us/news-desk/news-articles/unified-leadership-team-launched-deliver-more-joined-railway
Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <9b470l90urml0o5m7c9mh7ud43kq7lhvju@4ax.com>, at 21:53:10 on >>> Tue, 12 May 2026, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
On Tue, 12 May 2026 18:01:51 +0100, Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote: >>>>
In message <ijD*simGA@news.chiark.greenend.org.uk>, at 12:00:24 on Tue, >>>>> 12 May 2026, Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> remarked:
Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <WrnMR.2$hI1.0@fx16.ams1>, at 16:27:34 on Mon, 11 May 2026, >>>>>>> Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
Cambridge South station will open to passengers on 28 June, the Department
for Transport has announced.
Trains will start calling then at the -u250 million station, and >>>>>>>> there will
be an official opening ceremony the following day.
The officials can't be arsed to turn out on a Sunday, I suppose.
It's typical to have a 'soft start' opening, so any snags can be sorted. >>>>>> Better to discover the toilets don't work properly when there are few people
about, than during the grand opening.
You seriously think they can discover and fix such snags overnight
Saturday to Sunday???? And anyway, the stations been sitting there
finished for weeks with no trains stopping, there's plenty on
opportunity to test the toilets, and god forbid the contractor tested >>>>> them before handing it over to GBR.
Yet again, there's no such organisation.
Sadly, the marketing people promoting the station opening all over
social media, don't realise that.
We donrCOt have to descend to the uninformed level of social media.
The station may have the future branding, but it was built by Murphys, >>>> for NR, and will be managed by GA.
But GA is nationalised, and hence part of GBR (in many people's minds).
In the news again, today, as part of the GA/C2C/NR consortium.
Yes, this has been underway for months, and described in detail in the
railway press. They call it the Integrated Railway. But, in reality, only
the top execs have cross-company responsibilities, and the three companies >> remain legally and financially separate. So itrCOs really only a virtually >> integrated railway until it officially becomes part of GBR, probably in
2028. There are similar integrated chunks in SE and SWR territory. But,
strangely enough, itrCOs not happened with the TOCs that were nationalised >> earlier, such as Northern, LNER or TPE, perhaps because they didnrCOt map so >> neatly on to NR Routes.
https://www.greateranglia.co.uk/about-us/news-desk/news-articles/unified-leadership-team-launched-deliver-more-joined-railway
Just think of it as a temporary franchise operation. DfT, who own the trade mark, have loaned the GBR brand out for the time being.
Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <9b470l90urml0o5m7c9mh7ud43kq7lhvju@4ax.com>, at 21:53:10 on >>>> Tue, 12 May 2026, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
On Tue, 12 May 2026 18:01:51 +0100, Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote: >>>>>
In message <ijD*simGA@news.chiark.greenend.org.uk>, at 12:00:24 on Tue, >>>>>> 12 May 2026, Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> remarked:
Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <WrnMR.2$hI1.0@fx16.ams1>, at 16:27:34 on Mon, 11 May 2026, >>>>>>>> Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:It's typical to have a 'soft start' opening, so any snags can be sorted.
Cambridge South station will open to passengers on 28 June, the Department
for Transport has announced.
Trains will start calling then at the -u250 million station, and >>>>>>>>> there will
be an official opening ceremony the following day.
The officials can't be arsed to turn out on a Sunday, I suppose. >>>>>>>
Better to discover the toilets don't work properly when there are few people
about, than during the grand opening.
You seriously think they can discover and fix such snags overnight >>>>>> Saturday to Sunday???? And anyway, the stations been sitting there >>>>>> finished for weeks with no trains stopping, there's plenty on
opportunity to test the toilets, and god forbid the contractor tested >>>>>> them before handing it over to GBR.
Yet again, there's no such organisation.
Sadly, the marketing people promoting the station opening all over
social media, don't realise that.
We donrCOt have to descend to the uninformed level of social media.
The station may have the future branding, but it was built by Murphys, >>>>> for NR, and will be managed by GA.
But GA is nationalised, and hence part of GBR (in many people's minds). >>>>
In the news again, today, as part of the GA/C2C/NR consortium.
Yes, this has been underway for months, and described in detail in the
railway press. They call it the Integrated Railway. But, in reality, only >>> the top execs have cross-company responsibilities, and the three companies >>> remain legally and financially separate. So itrCOs really only a virtually >>> integrated railway until it officially becomes part of GBR, probably in
2028. There are similar integrated chunks in SE and SWR territory. But,
strangely enough, itrCOs not happened with the TOCs that were nationalised >>> earlier, such as Northern, LNER or TPE, perhaps because they didnrCOt map so
neatly on to NR Routes.
https://www.greateranglia.co.uk/about-us/news-desk/news-articles/unified-leadership-team-launched-deliver-more-joined-railway
Just think of it as a temporary franchise operation. DfT, who own the trade >> mark, have loaned the GBR brand out for the time being.
WhatrCOs the betting that the real GBR when in operation quietly replaces the DfTrCOs amateurish branding with a proper, professional effort?
On 14/05/2026 12:57, Recliner wrote:
Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <9b470l90urml0o5m7c9mh7ud43kq7lhvju@4ax.com>, at 21:53:10 on >>>>> Tue, 12 May 2026, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
On Tue, 12 May 2026 18:01:51 +0100, Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <ijD*simGA@news.chiark.greenend.org.uk>, at 12:00:24 on Tue, >>>>>>> 12 May 2026, Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> remarked: >>>>>>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <WrnMR.2$hI1.0@fx16.ams1>, at 16:27:34 on Mon, 11 May 2026,It's typical to have a 'soft start' opening, so any snags can be sorted.
Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
Cambridge South station will open to passengers on 28 June, the Department
for Transport has announced.
Trains will start calling then at the -u250 million station, and >>>>>>>>>> there will
be an official opening ceremony the following day.
The officials can't be arsed to turn out on a Sunday, I suppose. >>>>>>>>
Better to discover the toilets don't work properly when there are few people
about, than during the grand opening.
You seriously think they can discover and fix such snags overnight >>>>>>> Saturday to Sunday???? And anyway, the stations been sitting there >>>>>>> finished for weeks with no trains stopping, there's plenty on
opportunity to test the toilets, and god forbid the contractor tested >>>>>>> them before handing it over to GBR.
Yet again, there's no such organisation.
Sadly, the marketing people promoting the station opening all over
social media, don't realise that.
We donrCOt have to descend to the uninformed level of social media.
The station may have the future branding, but it was built by Murphys, >>>>>> for NR, and will be managed by GA.
But GA is nationalised, and hence part of GBR (in many people's minds). >>>>>
In the news again, today, as part of the GA/C2C/NR consortium.
Yes, this has been underway for months, and described in detail in the >>>> railway press. They call it the Integrated Railway. But, in reality, only >>>> the top execs have cross-company responsibilities, and the three companies >>>> remain legally and financially separate. So itrCOs really only a virtually >>>> integrated railway until it officially becomes part of GBR, probably in >>>> 2028. There are similar integrated chunks in SE and SWR territory. But, >>>> strangely enough, itrCOs not happened with the TOCs that were nationalised >>>> earlier, such as Northern, LNER or TPE, perhaps because they didnrCOt map so
neatly on to NR Routes.
https://www.greateranglia.co.uk/about-us/news-desk/news-articles/unified-leadership-team-launched-deliver-more-joined-railway
Just think of it as a temporary franchise operation. DfT, who own the trade >>> mark, have loaned the GBR brand out for the time being.
WhatrCOs the betting that the real GBR when in operation quietly replaces the
DfTrCOs amateurish branding with a proper, professional effort?
What's the betting the DfT says it is good enough and refuse to fund any >changes.
On Thu, 14 May 2026 16:14:09 +0100, Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:
On 14/05/2026 12:57, Recliner wrote:
Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <9b470l90urml0o5m7c9mh7ud43kq7lhvju@4ax.com>, at 21:53:10 on >>>>>> Tue, 12 May 2026, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
On Tue, 12 May 2026 18:01:51 +0100, Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <ijD*simGA@news.chiark.greenend.org.uk>, at 12:00:24 on Tue,
12 May 2026, Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> remarked: >>>>>>>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <WrnMR.2$hI1.0@fx16.ams1>, at 16:27:34 on Mon, 11 May 2026,It's typical to have a 'soft start' opening, so any snags can be sorted.
Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
Cambridge South station will open to passengers on 28 June, the Department
for Transport has announced.
Trains will start calling then at the -u250 million station, and >>>>>>>>>>> there will
be an official opening ceremony the following day.
The officials can't be arsed to turn out on a Sunday, I suppose. >>>>>>>>>
Better to discover the toilets don't work properly when there are few people
about, than during the grand opening.
You seriously think they can discover and fix such snags overnight >>>>>>>> Saturday to Sunday???? And anyway, the stations been sitting there >>>>>>>> finished for weeks with no trains stopping, there's plenty on
opportunity to test the toilets, and god forbid the contractor tested >>>>>>>> them before handing it over to GBR.
Yet again, there's no such organisation.
Sadly, the marketing people promoting the station opening all over >>>>>> social media, don't realise that.
We donrCOt have to descend to the uninformed level of social media.
The station may have the future branding, but it was built by Murphys, >>>>>>> for NR, and will be managed by GA.
But GA is nationalised, and hence part of GBR (in many people's minds). >>>>>>
In the news again, today, as part of the GA/C2C/NR consortium.
Yes, this has been underway for months, and described in detail in the >>>>> railway press. They call it the Integrated Railway. But, in reality, only >>>>> the top execs have cross-company responsibilities, and the three companies
remain legally and financially separate. So itrCOs really only a virtually
integrated railway until it officially becomes part of GBR, probably in >>>>> 2028. There are similar integrated chunks in SE and SWR territory. But, >>>>> strangely enough, itrCOs not happened with the TOCs that were nationalised
earlier, such as Northern, LNER or TPE, perhaps because they didnrCOt map so
neatly on to NR Routes.
https://www.greateranglia.co.uk/about-us/news-desk/news-articles/unified-leadership-team-launched-deliver-more-joined-railway
Just think of it as a temporary franchise operation. DfT, who own the trade
mark, have loaned the GBR brand out for the time being.
WhatrCOs the betting that the real GBR when in operation quietly replaces the
DfTrCOs amateurish branding with a proper, professional effort?
What's the betting the DfT says it is good enough and refuse to fund any
changes.
Hopefully, the DfT won't be interfering with GBR at that level of detail. In any case, a lot of those interfering civil
servants have now transferred to DfTO, and will become GBR employees in due course.
On 15/05/2026 12:27, Recliner wrote:
On Thu, 14 May 2026 16:14:09 +0100, Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:
On 14/05/2026 12:57, Recliner wrote:
Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <9b470l90urml0o5m7c9mh7ud43kq7lhvju@4ax.com>, at 21:53:10 on >>>>>>> Tue, 12 May 2026, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked: >>>>>>>> On Tue, 12 May 2026 18:01:51 +0100, Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <ijD*simGA@news.chiark.greenend.org.uk>, at 12:00:24 on Tue,
12 May 2026, Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> remarked: >>>>>>>>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <WrnMR.2$hI1.0@fx16.ams1>, at 16:27:34 on Mon, 11 May 2026,It's typical to have a 'soft start' opening, so any snags can be sorted.
Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
Cambridge South station will open to passengers on 28 June, the Department
for Transport has announced.
Trains will start calling then at the -u250 million station, and >>>>>>>>>>>> there will
be an official opening ceremony the following day.
The officials can't be arsed to turn out on a Sunday, I suppose. >>>>>>>>>>
Better to discover the toilets don't work properly when there are few people
about, than during the grand opening.
You seriously think they can discover and fix such snags overnight >>>>>>>>> Saturday to Sunday???? And anyway, the stations been sitting there >>>>>>>>> finished for weeks with no trains stopping, there's plenty on >>>>>>>>> opportunity to test the toilets, and god forbid the contractor tested >>>>>>>>> them before handing it over to GBR.
Yet again, there's no such organisation.
Sadly, the marketing people promoting the station opening all over >>>>>>> social media, don't realise that.
We donrCOt have to descend to the uninformed level of social media. >>>>>>
The station may have the future branding, but it was built by Murphys, >>>>>>>> for NR, and will be managed by GA.
But GA is nationalised, and hence part of GBR (in many people's minds). >>>>>>>
In the news again, today, as part of the GA/C2C/NR consortium.
Yes, this has been underway for months, and described in detail in the >>>>>> railway press. They call it the Integrated Railway. But, in reality, only
the top execs have cross-company responsibilities, and the three companies
remain legally and financially separate. So itrCOs really only a virtually
integrated railway until it officially becomes part of GBR, probably in >>>>>> 2028. There are similar integrated chunks in SE and SWR territory. But, >>>>>> strangely enough, itrCOs not happened with the TOCs that were nationalised
earlier, such as Northern, LNER or TPE, perhaps because they didnrCOt map so
neatly on to NR Routes.
https://www.greateranglia.co.uk/about-us/news-desk/news-articles/unified-leadership-team-launched-deliver-more-joined-railway
Just think of it as a temporary franchise operation. DfT, who own the trade
mark, have loaned the GBR brand out for the time being.
WhatrCOs the betting that the real GBR when in operation quietly replaces the
DfTrCOs amateurish branding with a proper, professional effort?
What's the betting the DfT says it is good enough and refuse to fund any >>> changes.
Hopefully, the DfT won't be interfering with GBR at that level of
detail. In any case, a lot of those interfering civil
servants have now transferred to DfTO, and will become GBR employees in due course.
And they are suddenly going to change their habits ?
On 15/05/2026 12:27, Recliner wrote:
On Thu, 14 May 2026 16:14:09 +0100, Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:
On 14/05/2026 12:57, Recliner wrote:
Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <9b470l90urml0o5m7c9mh7ud43kq7lhvju@4ax.com>, at 21:53:10 on >>>>>>> Tue, 12 May 2026, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked: >>>>>>>> On Tue, 12 May 2026 18:01:51 +0100, Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <ijD*simGA@news.chiark.greenend.org.uk>, at 12:00:24 on Tue,
12 May 2026, Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> remarked: >>>>>>>>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <WrnMR.2$hI1.0@fx16.ams1>, at 16:27:34 on Mon, 11 May 2026,It's typical to have a 'soft start' opening, so any snags can be sorted.
Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
Cambridge South station will open to passengers on 28 June, the Department
for Transport has announced.
Trains will start calling then at the -u250 million station, and >>>>>>>>>>>> there will
be an official opening ceremony the following day.
The officials can't be arsed to turn out on a Sunday, I suppose. >>>>>>>>>>
Better to discover the toilets don't work properly when there are few people
about, than during the grand opening.
You seriously think they can discover and fix such snags overnight >>>>>>>>> Saturday to Sunday???? And anyway, the stations been sitting there >>>>>>>>> finished for weeks with no trains stopping, there's plenty on >>>>>>>>> opportunity to test the toilets, and god forbid the contractor tested >>>>>>>>> them before handing it over to GBR.
Yet again, there's no such organisation.
Sadly, the marketing people promoting the station opening all over >>>>>>> social media, don't realise that.
We donrCOt have to descend to the uninformed level of social media. >>>>>>
The station may have the future branding, but it was built by Murphys, >>>>>>>> for NR, and will be managed by GA.
But GA is nationalised, and hence part of GBR (in many people's minds). >>>>>>>
In the news again, today, as part of the GA/C2C/NR consortium.
Yes, this has been underway for months, and described in detail in the >>>>>> railway press. They call it the Integrated Railway. But, in reality, only
the top execs have cross-company responsibilities, and the three companies
remain legally and financially separate. So itrCOs really only a virtually
integrated railway until it officially becomes part of GBR, probably in >>>>>> 2028. There are similar integrated chunks in SE and SWR territory. But, >>>>>> strangely enough, itrCOs not happened with the TOCs that were nationalised
earlier, such as Northern, LNER or TPE, perhaps because they didnrCOt map so
neatly on to NR Routes.
https://www.greateranglia.co.uk/about-us/news-desk/news-articles/unified-leadership-team-launched-deliver-more-joined-railway
Just think of it as a temporary franchise operation. DfT, who own the trade
mark, have loaned the GBR brand out for the time being.
WhatrCOs the betting that the real GBR when in operation quietly replaces the
DfTrCOs amateurish branding with a proper, professional effort?
What's the betting the DfT says it is good enough and refuse to fund any >>> changes.
Hopefully, the DfT won't be interfering with GBR at that level of
detail. In any case, a lot of those interfering civil
servants have now transferred to DfTO, and will become GBR employees in due course.
And they are suddenly going to change their habits ?
I like the GWR brand because itrCOs elegant, sophisticated and instantly recognisable. And whatever your view of GWR as a train operator (because theyrCOre far from perfect and self aware enough to realise that themselves) their marketing team deserve great credit for creating and carefully
maturing a brand over the years that has clearly been thought through professionally from the outset.
The GBR colour scheme (because itrCOs not a brand) has been developed by someone looking through the wrong end of the telescope and like so many things that are built on foundations of sand, it will not endure.
Eventually someone with experience, understanding and grit will do the job properly and consign it to history. ItrCOs just a shame that by the time we get there, some wonderful brands such as GWR may have been consigned to the history books.
Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:
On 15/05/2026 12:27, Recliner wrote:
On Thu, 14 May 2026 16:14:09 +0100, Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:
On 14/05/2026 12:57, Recliner wrote:
Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <9b470l90urml0o5m7c9mh7ud43kq7lhvju@4ax.com>, at 21:53:10 on
Tue, 12 May 2026, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked: >>>>>>>>> On Tue, 12 May 2026 18:01:51 +0100, Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <ijD*simGA@news.chiark.greenend.org.uk>, at 12:00:24 on Tue,
12 May 2026, Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> remarked: >>>>>>>>>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <WrnMR.2$hI1.0@fx16.ams1>, at 16:27:34 on Mon, 11 May 2026,It's typical to have a 'soft start' opening, so any snags can be sorted.
Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
Cambridge South station will open to passengers on 28 June, the Department
for Transport has announced.
Trains will start calling then at the -u250 million station, and >>>>>>>>>>>>> there will
be an official opening ceremony the following day.
The officials can't be arsed to turn out on a Sunday, I suppose. >>>>>>>>>>>
Better to discover the toilets don't work properly when there are few people
about, than during the grand opening.
You seriously think they can discover and fix such snags overnight >>>>>>>>>> Saturday to Sunday???? And anyway, the stations been sitting there >>>>>>>>>> finished for weeks with no trains stopping, there's plenty on >>>>>>>>>> opportunity to test the toilets, and god forbid the contractor tested
them before handing it over to GBR.
Yet again, there's no such organisation.
Sadly, the marketing people promoting the station opening all over >>>>>>>> social media, don't realise that.
We donrCOt have to descend to the uninformed level of social media. >>>>>>>
The station may have the future branding, but it was built by Murphys,
for NR, and will be managed by GA.
But GA is nationalised, and hence part of GBR (in many people's minds).
In the news again, today, as part of the GA/C2C/NR consortium.
Yes, this has been underway for months, and described in detail in the >>>>>>> railway press. They call it the Integrated Railway. But, in reality, only
the top execs have cross-company responsibilities, and the three companies
remain legally and financially separate. So itrCOs really only a virtually
integrated railway until it officially becomes part of GBR, probably in >>>>>>> 2028. There are similar integrated chunks in SE and SWR territory. But, >>>>>>> strangely enough, itrCOs not happened with the TOCs that were nationalised
earlier, such as Northern, LNER or TPE, perhaps because they didnrCOt map so
neatly on to NR Routes.
https://www.greateranglia.co.uk/about-us/news-desk/news-articles/unified-leadership-team-launched-deliver-more-joined-railway
Just think of it as a temporary franchise operation. DfT, who own the trade
mark, have loaned the GBR brand out for the time being.
WhatrCOs the betting that the real GBR when in operation quietly replaces the
DfTrCOs amateurish branding with a proper, professional effort?
What's the betting the DfT says it is good enough and refuse to fund any >>>> changes.
Hopefully, the DfT won't be interfering with GBR at that level of
detail. In any case, a lot of those interfering civil
servants have now transferred to DfTO, and will become GBR employees in due course.
And they are suddenly going to change their habits ?
Richard Bowker posted this on LinjedIn:
A Brand is not a colour scheme or a gaudy new paint job. Rather, it serves
as a distinct identity in the market in which you operate. It creates emotional connections with people, builds loyalty, brand equity and crucially, helps you sell product and make money.
Quality brands are very hard earned so no-one serious every seriously considers throwing them away on a whim. Yet itrCOs exactly what the Department for Transport (DfT), United Kingdom appear to be doing with
Great Western Railway (GWR). In fairness, I doubt very much itrCOs the professionals in the DfT doing this. Rather it feels like the brainchild of the Special Advisers who occupy that shadowy world between policy and politics: a bubble inhabited not by retail experts or marketing and brand professionals, but focus groups, workshops and spin doctors.
I like the GWR brand because itrCOs elegant, sophisticated and instantly recognisable. And whatever your view of GWR as a train operator (because theyrCOre far from perfect and self aware enough to realise that themselves) their marketing team deserve great credit for creating and carefully
maturing a brand over the years that has clearly been thought through professionally from the outset.
The GBR colour scheme (because itrCOs not a brand) has been developed by someone looking through the wrong end of the telescope and like so many things that are built on foundations of sand, it will not endure.
Eventually someone with experience, understanding and grit will do the job properly and consign it to history. ItrCOs just a shame that by the time we get there, some wonderful brands such as GWR may have been consigned to the history books.
On 15/05/2026 22:34, Recliner wrote:
Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:
On 15/05/2026 12:27, Recliner wrote:
On Thu, 14 May 2026 16:14:09 +0100, Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:
On 14/05/2026 12:57, Recliner wrote:
Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <9b470l90urml0o5m7c9mh7ud43kq7lhvju@4ax.com>, at 21:53:10 on
Tue, 12 May 2026, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked: >>>>>>>>>> On Tue, 12 May 2026 18:01:51 +0100, Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <ijD*simGA@news.chiark.greenend.org.uk>, at 12:00:24 on Tue,
12 May 2026, Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> remarked: >>>>>>>>>>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <WrnMR.2$hI1.0@fx16.ams1>, at 16:27:34 on Mon, 11 May 2026,It's typical to have a 'soft start' opening, so any snags can be sorted.
Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
Cambridge South station will open to passengers on 28 June, the Department
for Transport has announced.
Trains will start calling then at the -u250 million station, and >>>>>>>>>>>>>> there will
be an official opening ceremony the following day.
The officials can't be arsed to turn out on a Sunday, I suppose. >>>>>>>>>>>>
Better to discover the toilets don't work properly when there are few people
about, than during the grand opening.
You seriously think they can discover and fix such snags overnight >>>>>>>>>>> Saturday to Sunday???? And anyway, the stations been sitting there >>>>>>>>>>> finished for weeks with no trains stopping, there's plenty on >>>>>>>>>>> opportunity to test the toilets, and god forbid the contractor tested
them before handing it over to GBR.
Yet again, there's no such organisation.
Sadly, the marketing people promoting the station opening all over >>>>>>>>> social media, don't realise that.
We donrCOt have to descend to the uninformed level of social media. >>>>>>>>
Yes, this has been underway for months, and described in detail in the >>>>>>>> railway press. They call it the Integrated Railway. But, in reality, only
The station may have the future branding, but it was built by Murphys,
for NR, and will be managed by GA.
But GA is nationalised, and hence part of GBR (in many people's minds).
In the news again, today, as part of the GA/C2C/NR consortium. >>>>>>>>
the top execs have cross-company responsibilities, and the three companies
remain legally and financially separate. So itrCOs really only a virtually
integrated railway until it officially becomes part of GBR, probably in
2028. There are similar integrated chunks in SE and SWR territory. But,
strangely enough, itrCOs not happened with the TOCs that were nationalised
earlier, such as Northern, LNER or TPE, perhaps because they didnrCOt map so
neatly on to NR Routes.
https://www.greateranglia.co.uk/about-us/news-desk/news-articles/unified-leadership-team-launched-deliver-more-joined-railway
Just think of it as a temporary franchise operation. DfT, who own the trade
mark, have loaned the GBR brand out for the time being.
WhatrCOs the betting that the real GBR when in operation quietly replaces the
DfTrCOs amateurish branding with a proper, professional effort?
What's the betting the DfT says it is good enough and refuse to fund any >>>>> changes.
Hopefully, the DfT won't be interfering with GBR at that level of
detail. In any case, a lot of those interfering civil
servants have now transferred to DfTO, and will become GBR employees in due course.
And they are suddenly going to change their habits ?
Richard Bowker posted this on LinjedIn:
A Brand is not a colour scheme or a gaudy new paint job. Rather, it serves >> as a distinct identity in the market in which you operate. It creates
emotional connections with people, builds loyalty, brand equity and
crucially, helps you sell product and make money.
Quality brands are very hard earned so no-one serious every seriously
considers throwing them away on a whim. Yet itrCOs exactly what the
Department for Transport (DfT), United Kingdom appear to be doing with
Great Western Railway (GWR). In fairness, I doubt very much itrCOs the
professionals in the DfT doing this. Rather it feels like the brainchild of >> the Special Advisers who occupy that shadowy world between policy and
politics: a bubble inhabited not by retail experts or marketing and brand
professionals, but focus groups, workshops and spin doctors.
I like the GWR brand because itrCOs elegant, sophisticated and instantly
recognisable. And whatever your view of GWR as a train operator (because
theyrCOre far from perfect and self aware enough to realise that themselves) >> their marketing team deserve great credit for creating and carefully
maturing a brand over the years that has clearly been thought through
professionally from the outset.
The GBR colour scheme (because itrCOs not a brand) has been developed by
someone looking through the wrong end of the telescope and like so many
things that are built on foundations of sand, it will not endure.
Eventually someone with experience, understanding and grit will do the job >> properly and consign it to history. ItrCOs just a shame that by the time we >> get there, some wonderful brands such as GWR may have been consigned to the >> history books.
The only design criteria was to use red, white and blue to satisfy
Boris's faux patriotism.
Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <9b470l90urml0o5m7c9mh7ud43kq7lhvju@4ax.com>, at 21:53:10 on >>>> Tue, 12 May 2026, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
On Tue, 12 May 2026 18:01:51 +0100, Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote: >>>>>
In message <ijD*simGA@news.chiark.greenend.org.uk>, at 12:00:24 on Tue, >>>>>> 12 May 2026, Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> remarked:
Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <WrnMR.2$hI1.0@fx16.ams1>, at 16:27:34 on Mon, 11 May 2026, >>>>>>>> Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:It's typical to have a 'soft start' opening, so any snags can be sorted.
Cambridge South station will open to passengers on 28 June, the Department
for Transport has announced.
Trains will start calling then at the u250 million station, and >>>>>>>>> there will
be an official opening ceremony the following day.
The officials can't be arsed to turn out on a Sunday, I suppose. >>>>>>>
Better to discover the toilets don't work properly when there are few people
about, than during the grand opening.
You seriously think they can discover and fix such snags overnight >>>>>> Saturday to Sunday???? And anyway, the stations been sitting there >>>>>> finished for weeks with no trains stopping, there's plenty on
opportunity to test the toilets, and god forbid the contractor tested >>>>>> them before handing it over to GBR.
Yet again, there's no such organisation.
Sadly, the marketing people promoting the station opening all over
social media, don't realise that.
We donAt have to descend to the uninformed level of social media.
The station may have the future branding, but it was built by Murphys, >>>>> for NR, and will be managed by GA.
But GA is nationalised, and hence part of GBR (in many people's minds). >>>>
In the news again, today, as part of the GA/C2C/NR consortium.
Yes, this has been underway for months, and described in detail in the
railway press. They call it the Integrated Railway. But, in reality, only >>> the top execs have cross-company responsibilities, and the three companies >>> remain legally and financially separate. So itAs really only a virtually >>> integrated railway until it officially becomes part of GBR, probably in
2028. There are similar integrated chunks in SE and SWR territory. But,
strangely enough, itAs not happened with the TOCs that were nationalised >>> earlier, such as Northern, LNER or TPE, perhaps because they didnAt map so >>> neatly on to NR Routes.
https://www.greateranglia.co.uk/about-us/news-desk/news-articles/unified-leadership-team-launched-deliver-more-joined-railway
Just think of it as a temporary franchise operation. DfT, who own the trade >> mark, have loaned the GBR brand out for the time being.
WhatAs the betting that the real GBR when in operation quietly replaces the >DfTAs amateurish branding with a proper, professional effort?
Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:
On 15/05/2026 22:34, Recliner wrote:
Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:
On 15/05/2026 12:27, Recliner wrote:
On Thu, 14 May 2026 16:14:09 +0100, Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:
On 14/05/2026 12:57, Recliner wrote:
Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <9b470l90urml0o5m7c9mh7ud43kq7lhvju@4ax.com>, at 21:53:10 on
Tue, 12 May 2026, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked: >>>>>>>>>>> On Tue, 12 May 2026 18:01:51 +0100, Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <ijD*simGA@news.chiark.greenend.org.uk>, at 12:00:24 on Tue,
12 May 2026, Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> remarked: >>>>>>>>>>>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <WrnMR.2$hI1.0@fx16.ams1>, at 16:27:34 on Mon, 11 May 2026,It's typical to have a 'soft start' opening, so any snags can be sorted.
Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
The officials can't be arsed to turn out on a Sunday, I suppose. >>>>>>>>>>>>>
Cambridge South station will open to passengers on 28 June, the Department
for Transport has announced.
Trains will start calling then at the -u250 million station, and
there will
be an official opening ceremony the following day. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Better to discover the toilets don't work properly when there are few people
about, than during the grand opening.
You seriously think they can discover and fix such snags overnight >>>>>>>>>>>> Saturday to Sunday???? And anyway, the stations been sitting there
finished for weeks with no trains stopping, there's plenty on >>>>>>>>>>>> opportunity to test the toilets, and god forbid the contractor tested
them before handing it over to GBR.
Yet again, there's no such organisation.
Sadly, the marketing people promoting the station opening all over >>>>>>>>>> social media, don't realise that.
We donrCOt have to descend to the uninformed level of social media. >>>>>>>>>
Yes, this has been underway for months, and described in detail in the
The station may have the future branding, but it was built by Murphys,
for NR, and will be managed by GA.
But GA is nationalised, and hence part of GBR (in many people's minds).
In the news again, today, as part of the GA/C2C/NR consortium. >>>>>>>>>
railway press. They call it the Integrated Railway. But, in reality, only
the top execs have cross-company responsibilities, and the three companies
remain legally and financially separate. So itrCOs really only a virtually
integrated railway until it officially becomes part of GBR, probably in
2028. There are similar integrated chunks in SE and SWR territory. But,
strangely enough, itrCOs not happened with the TOCs that were nationalised
earlier, such as Northern, LNER or TPE, perhaps because they didnrCOt map so
neatly on to NR Routes.
https://www.greateranglia.co.uk/about-us/news-desk/news-articles/unified-leadership-team-launched-deliver-more-joined-railway
Just think of it as a temporary franchise operation. DfT, who own the trade
mark, have loaned the GBR brand out for the time being.
WhatrCOs the betting that the real GBR when in operation quietly replaces the
DfTrCOs amateurish branding with a proper, professional effort?
What's the betting the DfT says it is good enough and refuse to fund any >>>>>> changes.
Hopefully, the DfT won't be interfering with GBR at that level of
detail. In any case, a lot of those interfering civil
servants have now transferred to DfTO, and will become GBR employees in due course.
And they are suddenly going to change their habits ?
Richard Bowker posted this on LinjedIn:
A Brand is not a colour scheme or a gaudy new paint job. Rather, it serves >>> as a distinct identity in the market in which you operate. It creates
emotional connections with people, builds loyalty, brand equity and
crucially, helps you sell product and make money.
Quality brands are very hard earned so no-one serious every seriously
considers throwing them away on a whim. Yet itrCOs exactly what the
Department for Transport (DfT), United Kingdom appear to be doing with
Great Western Railway (GWR). In fairness, I doubt very much itrCOs the
professionals in the DfT doing this. Rather it feels like the brainchild of >>> the Special Advisers who occupy that shadowy world between policy and
politics: a bubble inhabited not by retail experts or marketing and brand >>> professionals, but focus groups, workshops and spin doctors.
I like the GWR brand because itrCOs elegant, sophisticated and instantly >>> recognisable. And whatever your view of GWR as a train operator (because >>> theyrCOre far from perfect and self aware enough to realise that themselves)
their marketing team deserve great credit for creating and carefully
maturing a brand over the years that has clearly been thought through
professionally from the outset.
The GBR colour scheme (because itrCOs not a brand) has been developed by >>> someone looking through the wrong end of the telescope and like so many
things that are built on foundations of sand, it will not endure.
Eventually someone with experience, understanding and grit will do the job >>> properly and consign it to history. ItrCOs just a shame that by the time we >>> get there, some wonderful brands such as GWR may have been consigned to the >>> history books.
The only design criteria was to use red, white and blue to satisfy
Boris's faux patriotism.
They should revert to chocolate and cream over in the west and teak vinyls
on the ECML.
On Thu, 14 May 2026 11:57:18 GMT, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com>
wrote:
Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <9b470l90urml0o5m7c9mh7ud43kq7lhvju@4ax.com>, at 21:53:10 on >>>>> Tue, 12 May 2026, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
On Tue, 12 May 2026 18:01:51 +0100, Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <ijD*simGA@news.chiark.greenend.org.uk>, at 12:00:24 on Tue, >>>>>>> 12 May 2026, Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> remarked: >>>>>>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <WrnMR.2$hI1.0@fx16.ams1>, at 16:27:34 on Mon, 11 May 2026,It's typical to have a 'soft start' opening, so any snags can be sorted.
Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
Cambridge South station will open to passengers on 28 June, the Department
for Transport has announced.
Trains will start calling then at the -u250 million station, and >>>>>>>>>> there will
be an official opening ceremony the following day.
The officials can't be arsed to turn out on a Sunday, I suppose. >>>>>>>>
Better to discover the toilets don't work properly when there are few people
about, than during the grand opening.
You seriously think they can discover and fix such snags overnight >>>>>>> Saturday to Sunday???? And anyway, the stations been sitting there >>>>>>> finished for weeks with no trains stopping, there's plenty on
opportunity to test the toilets, and god forbid the contractor tested >>>>>>> them before handing it over to GBR.
Yet again, there's no such organisation.
Sadly, the marketing people promoting the station opening all over
social media, don't realise that.
We don-At have to descend to the uninformed level of social media.
The station may have the future branding, but it was built by Murphys, >>>>>> for NR, and will be managed by GA.
But GA is nationalised, and hence part of GBR (in many people's minds). >>>>>
In the news again, today, as part of the GA/C2C/NR consortium.
Yes, this has been underway for months, and described in detail in the >>>> railway press. They call it the Integrated Railway. But, in reality, only >>>> the top execs have cross-company responsibilities, and the three companies >>>> remain legally and financially separate. So it-As really only a virtually >>>> integrated railway until it officially becomes part of GBR, probably in >>>> 2028. There are similar integrated chunks in SE and SWR territory. But, >>>> strangely enough, it-As not happened with the TOCs that were nationalised >>>> earlier, such as Northern, LNER or TPE, perhaps because they didn-At map so
neatly on to NR Routes.
https://www.greateranglia.co.uk/about-us/news-desk/news-articles/unified-leadership-team-launched-deliver-more-joined-railway
Just think of it as a temporary franchise operation. DfT, who own the trade >>> mark, have loaned the GBR brand out for the time being.
What-As the betting that the real GBR when in operation quietly replaces the >> DfT-As amateurish branding with a proper, professional effort?
Go and find out. The signs at Cambridge South on the platforms are in
place, just covered up. Unless they're still the amateur version.
On 15/05/2026 22:34, Recliner wrote:
Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:
On 15/05/2026 12:27, Recliner wrote:
On Thu, 14 May 2026 16:14:09 +0100, Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:
On 14/05/2026 12:57, Recliner wrote:
Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <9b470l90urml0o5m7c9mh7ud43kq7lhvju@4ax.com>, at 21:53:10 on
Tue, 12 May 2026, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked: >>>>>>>>>> On Tue, 12 May 2026 18:01:51 +0100, Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <ijD*simGA@news.chiark.greenend.org.uk>, at 12:00:24 on Tue,
12 May 2026, Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> remarked: >>>>>>>>>>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <WrnMR.2$hI1.0@fx16.ams1>, at 16:27:34 on Mon, 11 May 2026,It's typical to have a 'soft start' opening, so any snags can be sorted.
Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
Cambridge South station will open to passengers on 28 June, the Department
for Transport has announced.
Trains will start calling then at the -u250 million station, and >>>>>>>>>>>>>> there will
be an official opening ceremony the following day.
The officials can't be arsed to turn out on a Sunday, I suppose. >>>>>>>>>>>>
Better to discover the toilets don't work properly when there are few people
about, than during the grand opening.
You seriously think they can discover and fix such snags overnight >>>>>>>>>>> Saturday to Sunday???? And anyway, the stations been sitting there >>>>>>>>>>> finished for weeks with no trains stopping, there's plenty on >>>>>>>>>>> opportunity to test the toilets, and god forbid the contractor tested
them before handing it over to GBR.
Yet again, there's no such organisation.
Sadly, the marketing people promoting the station opening all over >>>>>>>>> social media, don't realise that.
We donrCOt have to descend to the uninformed level of social media. >>>>>>>>
Yes, this has been underway for months, and described in detail in the >>>>>>>> railway press. They call it the Integrated Railway. But, in reality, only
The station may have the future branding, but it was built by Murphys,
for NR, and will be managed by GA.
But GA is nationalised, and hence part of GBR (in many people's minds).
In the news again, today, as part of the GA/C2C/NR consortium. >>>>>>>>
the top execs have cross-company responsibilities, and the three companies
remain legally and financially separate. So itrCOs really only a virtually
integrated railway until it officially becomes part of GBR, probably in
2028. There are similar integrated chunks in SE and SWR territory. But,
strangely enough, itrCOs not happened with the TOCs that were nationalised
earlier, such as Northern, LNER or TPE, perhaps because they didnrCOt map so
neatly on to NR Routes.
https://www.greateranglia.co.uk/about-us/news-desk/news-articles/unified-leadership-team-launched-deliver-more-joined-railway
Just think of it as a temporary franchise operation. DfT, who own the trade
mark, have loaned the GBR brand out for the time being.
WhatrCOs the betting that the real GBR when in operation quietly replaces the
DfTrCOs amateurish branding with a proper, professional effort?
What's the betting the DfT says it is good enough and refuse to fund any >>>>> changes.
Hopefully, the DfT won't be interfering with GBR at that level of
detail. In any case, a lot of those interfering civil
servants have now transferred to DfTO, and will become GBR employees in due course.
And they are suddenly going to change their habits ?
Richard Bowker posted this on LinjedIn:
A Brand is not a colour scheme or a gaudy new paint job. Rather, it serves >> as a distinct identity in the market in which you operate. It creates
emotional connections with people, builds loyalty, brand equity and
crucially, helps you sell product and make money.
Quality brands are very hard earned so no-one serious every seriously
considers throwing them away on a whim. Yet itrCOs exactly what the
Department for Transport (DfT), United Kingdom appear to be doing with
Great Western Railway (GWR). In fairness, I doubt very much itrCOs the
professionals in the DfT doing this. Rather it feels like the brainchild of >> the Special Advisers who occupy that shadowy world between policy and
politics: a bubble inhabited not by retail experts or marketing and brand
professionals, but focus groups, workshops and spin doctors.
I like the GWR brand because itrCOs elegant, sophisticated and instantly
recognisable. And whatever your view of GWR as a train operator (because
theyrCOre far from perfect and self aware enough to realise that themselves) >> their marketing team deserve great credit for creating and carefully
maturing a brand over the years that has clearly been thought through
professionally from the outset.
The GBR colour scheme (because itrCOs not a brand) has been developed by
someone looking through the wrong end of the telescope and like so many
things that are built on foundations of sand, it will not endure.
Eventually someone with experience, understanding and grit will do the job >> properly and consign it to history. ItrCOs just a shame that by the time we >> get there, some wonderful brands such as GWR may have been consigned to the >> history books.
The only design criteria was to use red, white and blue to satisfy
Boris's faux patriotism.
On 16/05/2026 10:00, Tweed wrote:
Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:
On 15/05/2026 22:34, Recliner wrote:
Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:
On 15/05/2026 12:27, Recliner wrote:
On Thu, 14 May 2026 16:14:09 +0100, Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:
On 14/05/2026 12:57, Recliner wrote:
Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <9b470l90urml0o5m7c9mh7ud43kq7lhvju@4ax.com>, at 21:53:10 on
Tue, 12 May 2026, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked: >>>>>>>>>>>> On Tue, 12 May 2026 18:01:51 +0100, Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <ijD*simGA@news.chiark.greenend.org.uk>, at 12:00:24 on Tue,
12 May 2026, Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> remarked: >>>>>>>>>>>>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <WrnMR.2$hI1.0@fx16.ams1>, at 16:27:34 on Mon, 11 May 2026,
Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
The officials can't be arsed to turn out on a Sunday, I suppose.
Cambridge South station will open to passengers on 28 June, the Department
for Transport has announced.
Trains will start calling then at the -u250 million station, and
there will
be an official opening ceremony the following day. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
It's typical to have a 'soft start' opening, so any snags can be sorted.
Better to discover the toilets don't work properly when there are few people
about, than during the grand opening.
You seriously think they can discover and fix such snags overnight
Saturday to Sunday???? And anyway, the stations been sitting there
finished for weeks with no trains stopping, there's plenty on >>>>>>>>>>>>> opportunity to test the toilets, and god forbid the contractor tested
them before handing it over to GBR.
Yet again, there's no such organisation.
Sadly, the marketing people promoting the station opening all over >>>>>>>>>>> social media, don't realise that.
We donrCOt have to descend to the uninformed level of social media. >>>>>>>>>>
Yes, this has been underway for months, and described in detail in the
The station may have the future branding, but it was built by Murphys,
for NR, and will be managed by GA.
But GA is nationalised, and hence part of GBR (in many people's minds).
In the news again, today, as part of the GA/C2C/NR consortium. >>>>>>>>>>
railway press. They call it the Integrated Railway. But, in reality, only
the top execs have cross-company responsibilities, and the three companies
remain legally and financially separate. So itrCOs really only a virtually
integrated railway until it officially becomes part of GBR, probably in
2028. There are similar integrated chunks in SE and SWR territory. But,
strangely enough, itrCOs not happened with the TOCs that were nationalised
earlier, such as Northern, LNER or TPE, perhaps because they didnrCOt map so
neatly on to NR Routes.
https://www.greateranglia.co.uk/about-us/news-desk/news-articles/unified-leadership-team-launched-deliver-more-joined-railway
Just think of it as a temporary franchise operation. DfT, who own the trade
mark, have loaned the GBR brand out for the time being.
WhatrCOs the betting that the real GBR when in operation quietly replaces the
DfTrCOs amateurish branding with a proper, professional effort? >>>>>>>>
What's the betting the DfT says it is good enough and refuse to fund any
changes.
Hopefully, the DfT won't be interfering with GBR at that level of
detail. In any case, a lot of those interfering civil
servants have now transferred to DfTO, and will become GBR employees in due course.
And they are suddenly going to change their habits ?
Richard Bowker posted this on LinjedIn:
A Brand is not a colour scheme or a gaudy new paint job. Rather, it serves >>>> as a distinct identity in the market in which you operate. It creates
emotional connections with people, builds loyalty, brand equity and
crucially, helps you sell product and make money.
Quality brands are very hard earned so no-one serious every seriously
considers throwing them away on a whim. Yet itrCOs exactly what the
Department for Transport (DfT), United Kingdom appear to be doing with >>>> Great Western Railway (GWR). In fairness, I doubt very much itrCOs the >>>> professionals in the DfT doing this. Rather it feels like the brainchild of
the Special Advisers who occupy that shadowy world between policy and
politics: a bubble inhabited not by retail experts or marketing and brand >>>> professionals, but focus groups, workshops and spin doctors.
I like the GWR brand because itrCOs elegant, sophisticated and instantly >>>> recognisable. And whatever your view of GWR as a train operator (because >>>> theyrCOre far from perfect and self aware enough to realise that themselves)
their marketing team deserve great credit for creating and carefully
maturing a brand over the years that has clearly been thought through
professionally from the outset.
The GBR colour scheme (because itrCOs not a brand) has been developed by >>>> someone looking through the wrong end of the telescope and like so many >>>> things that are built on foundations of sand, it will not endure.
Eventually someone with experience, understanding and grit will do the job >>>> properly and consign it to history. ItrCOs just a shame that by the time we
get there, some wonderful brands such as GWR may have been consigned to the
history books.
The only design criteria was to use red, white and blue to satisfy
Boris's faux patriotism.
They should revert to chocolate and cream over in the west and teak vinyls >> on the ECML.
Isn't there a photoshopped image of an HST in chocolate and cream somewhere?
Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:
On 15/05/2026 22:34, Recliner wrote:
Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:
On 15/05/2026 12:27, Recliner wrote:
On Thu, 14 May 2026 16:14:09 +0100, Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:
On 14/05/2026 12:57, Recliner wrote:
Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <9b470l90urml0o5m7c9mh7ud43kq7lhvju@4ax.com>, at 21:53:10 on
Tue, 12 May 2026, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked: >>>>>>>>>>> On Tue, 12 May 2026 18:01:51 +0100, Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <ijD*simGA@news.chiark.greenend.org.uk>, at 12:00:24 on Tue,
12 May 2026, Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> remarked: >>>>>>>>>>>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <WrnMR.2$hI1.0@fx16.ams1>, at 16:27:34 on Mon, 11 May 2026,It's typical to have a 'soft start' opening, so any snags can be sorted.
Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
The officials can't be arsed to turn out on a Sunday, I suppose. >>>>>>>>>>>>>
Cambridge South station will open to passengers on 28 June, the Department
for Transport has announced.
Trains will start calling then at the -u250 million station, and
there will
be an official opening ceremony the following day. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Better to discover the toilets don't work properly when there are few people
about, than during the grand opening.
You seriously think they can discover and fix such snags overnight >>>>>>>>>>>> Saturday to Sunday???? And anyway, the stations been sitting there
finished for weeks with no trains stopping, there's plenty on >>>>>>>>>>>> opportunity to test the toilets, and god forbid the contractor tested
them before handing it over to GBR.
Yet again, there's no such organisation.
Sadly, the marketing people promoting the station opening all over >>>>>>>>>> social media, don't realise that.
We donrCOt have to descend to the uninformed level of social media. >>>>>>>>>
Yes, this has been underway for months, and described in detail in the
The station may have the future branding, but it was built by Murphys,
for NR, and will be managed by GA.
But GA is nationalised, and hence part of GBR (in many people's minds).
In the news again, today, as part of the GA/C2C/NR consortium. >>>>>>>>>
railway press. They call it the Integrated Railway. But, in reality, only
the top execs have cross-company responsibilities, and the three companies
remain legally and financially separate. So itrCOs really only a virtually
integrated railway until it officially becomes part of GBR, probably in
2028. There are similar integrated chunks in SE and SWR territory. But,
strangely enough, itrCOs not happened with the TOCs that were nationalised
earlier, such as Northern, LNER or TPE, perhaps because they didnrCOt map so
neatly on to NR Routes.
https://www.greateranglia.co.uk/about-us/news-desk/news-articles/unified-leadership-team-launched-deliver-more-joined-railway
Just think of it as a temporary franchise operation. DfT, who own the trade
mark, have loaned the GBR brand out for the time being.
WhatrCOs the betting that the real GBR when in operation quietly replaces the
DfTrCOs amateurish branding with a proper, professional effort?
What's the betting the DfT says it is good enough and refuse to fund any >>>>>> changes.
Hopefully, the DfT won't be interfering with GBR at that level of
detail. In any case, a lot of those interfering civil
servants have now transferred to DfTO, and will become GBR employees in due course.
And they are suddenly going to change their habits ?
Richard Bowker posted this on LinjedIn:
A Brand is not a colour scheme or a gaudy new paint job. Rather, it serves >>> as a distinct identity in the market in which you operate. It creates
emotional connections with people, builds loyalty, brand equity and
crucially, helps you sell product and make money.
Quality brands are very hard earned so no-one serious every seriously
considers throwing them away on a whim. Yet itrCOs exactly what the
Department for Transport (DfT), United Kingdom appear to be doing with
Great Western Railway (GWR). In fairness, I doubt very much itrCOs the
professionals in the DfT doing this. Rather it feels like the brainchild of >>> the Special Advisers who occupy that shadowy world between policy and
politics: a bubble inhabited not by retail experts or marketing and brand >>> professionals, but focus groups, workshops and spin doctors.
I like the GWR brand because itrCOs elegant, sophisticated and instantly >>> recognisable. And whatever your view of GWR as a train operator (because >>> theyrCOre far from perfect and self aware enough to realise that themselves)
their marketing team deserve great credit for creating and carefully
maturing a brand over the years that has clearly been thought through
professionally from the outset.
The GBR colour scheme (because itrCOs not a brand) has been developed by >>> someone looking through the wrong end of the telescope and like so many
things that are built on foundations of sand, it will not endure.
Eventually someone with experience, understanding and grit will do the job >>> properly and consign it to history. ItrCOs just a shame that by the time we >>> get there, some wonderful brands such as GWR may have been consigned to the >>> history books.
The only design criteria was to use red, white and blue to satisfy
Boris's faux patriotism.
But that ChatGPT mockup was done years after Boris left politics.
Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:
On 16/05/2026 10:00, Tweed wrote:
Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:
On 15/05/2026 22:34, Recliner wrote:
Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:
On 15/05/2026 12:27, Recliner wrote:
On Thu, 14 May 2026 16:14:09 +0100, Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:
On 14/05/2026 12:57, Recliner wrote:
Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <9b470l90urml0o5m7c9mh7ud43kq7lhvju@4ax.com>, at 21:53:10 on
Tue, 12 May 2026, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked: >>>>>>>>>>>>> On Tue, 12 May 2026 18:01:51 +0100, Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <ijD*simGA@news.chiark.greenend.org.uk>, at 12:00:24 on Tue,
12 May 2026, Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> remarked: >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <WrnMR.2$hI1.0@fx16.ams1>, at 16:27:34 on Mon, 11 May 2026,
Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked: >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Cambridge South station will open to passengers on 28 June, the DepartmentThe officials can't be arsed to turn out on a Sunday, I suppose.
for Transport has announced.
Trains will start calling then at the -u250 million station, and
there will
be an official opening ceremony the following day. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
It's typical to have a 'soft start' opening, so any snags can be sorted.
Better to discover the toilets don't work properly when there are few people
about, than during the grand opening.
You seriously think they can discover and fix such snags overnight
Saturday to Sunday???? And anyway, the stations been sitting there
finished for weeks with no trains stopping, there's plenty on >>>>>>>>>>>>>> opportunity to test the toilets, and god forbid the contractor tested
them before handing it over to GBR.
Yet again, there's no such organisation.
Sadly, the marketing people promoting the station opening all over >>>>>>>>>>>> social media, don't realise that.
We donrCOt have to descend to the uninformed level of social media. >>>>>>>>>>>
Yes, this has been underway for months, and described in detail in the
The station may have the future branding, but it was built by Murphys,
for NR, and will be managed by GA.
But GA is nationalised, and hence part of GBR (in many people's minds).
In the news again, today, as part of the GA/C2C/NR consortium. >>>>>>>>>>>
railway press. They call it the Integrated Railway. But, in reality, only
the top execs have cross-company responsibilities, and the three companies
remain legally and financially separate. So itrCOs really only a virtually
integrated railway until it officially becomes part of GBR, probably in
2028. There are similar integrated chunks in SE and SWR territory. But,
strangely enough, itrCOs not happened with the TOCs that were nationalised
earlier, such as Northern, LNER or TPE, perhaps because they didnrCOt map so
neatly on to NR Routes.
https://www.greateranglia.co.uk/about-us/news-desk/news-articles/unified-leadership-team-launched-deliver-more-joined-railway
Just think of it as a temporary franchise operation. DfT, who own the trade
mark, have loaned the GBR brand out for the time being.
WhatrCOs the betting that the real GBR when in operation quietly replaces the
DfTrCOs amateurish branding with a proper, professional effort? >>>>>>>>>
What's the betting the DfT says it is good enough and refuse to fund any
changes.
Hopefully, the DfT won't be interfering with GBR at that level of >>>>>>> detail. In any case, a lot of those interfering civil
servants have now transferred to DfTO, and will become GBR employees in due course.
And they are suddenly going to change their habits ?
Richard Bowker posted this on LinjedIn:
A Brand is not a colour scheme or a gaudy new paint job. Rather, it serves
as a distinct identity in the market in which you operate. It creates >>>>> emotional connections with people, builds loyalty, brand equity and
crucially, helps you sell product and make money.
Quality brands are very hard earned so no-one serious every seriously >>>>> considers throwing them away on a whim. Yet itrCOs exactly what the
Department for Transport (DfT), United Kingdom appear to be doing with >>>>> Great Western Railway (GWR). In fairness, I doubt very much itrCOs the >>>>> professionals in the DfT doing this. Rather it feels like the brainchild of
the Special Advisers who occupy that shadowy world between policy and >>>>> politics: a bubble inhabited not by retail experts or marketing and brand >>>>> professionals, but focus groups, workshops and spin doctors.
I like the GWR brand because itrCOs elegant, sophisticated and instantly >>>>> recognisable. And whatever your view of GWR as a train operator (because >>>>> theyrCOre far from perfect and self aware enough to realise that themselves)
their marketing team deserve great credit for creating and carefully >>>>> maturing a brand over the years that has clearly been thought through >>>>> professionally from the outset.
The GBR colour scheme (because itrCOs not a brand) has been developed by >>>>> someone looking through the wrong end of the telescope and like so many >>>>> things that are built on foundations of sand, it will not endure.
Eventually someone with experience, understanding and grit will do the job
properly and consign it to history. ItrCOs just a shame that by the time we
get there, some wonderful brands such as GWR may have been consigned to the
history books.
The only design criteria was to use red, white and blue to satisfy
Boris's faux patriotism.
They should revert to chocolate and cream over in the west and teak vinyls >>> on the ECML.
Isn't there a photoshopped image of an HST in chocolate and cream somewhere? >>
Yes, thererCOs one on this page:
25kv.uk/fictitiousliveries.php
Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:
On 15/05/2026 22:34, Recliner wrote:
Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:
On 15/05/2026 12:27, Recliner wrote:
On Thu, 14 May 2026 16:14:09 +0100, Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:
On 14/05/2026 12:57, Recliner wrote:
Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <9b470l90urml0o5m7c9mh7ud43kq7lhvju@4ax.com>, at 21:53:10 on
Tue, 12 May 2026, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked: >>>>>>>>>>> On Tue, 12 May 2026 18:01:51 +0100, Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <ijD*simGA@news.chiark.greenend.org.uk>, at 12:00:24 on Tue,
12 May 2026, Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> remarked: >>>>>>>>>>>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <WrnMR.2$hI1.0@fx16.ams1>, at 16:27:34 on Mon, 11 May 2026,It's typical to have a 'soft start' opening, so any snags can be sorted.
Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
The officials can't be arsed to turn out on a Sunday, I suppose. >>>>>>>>>>>>>
Cambridge South station will open to passengers on 28 June, the Department
for Transport has announced.
Trains will start calling then at the -u250 million station, and
there will
be an official opening ceremony the following day. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Better to discover the toilets don't work properly when there are few people
about, than during the grand opening.
You seriously think they can discover and fix such snags overnight >>>>>>>>>>>> Saturday to Sunday???? And anyway, the stations been sitting there
finished for weeks with no trains stopping, there's plenty on >>>>>>>>>>>> opportunity to test the toilets, and god forbid the contractor tested
them before handing it over to GBR.
Yet again, there's no such organisation.
Sadly, the marketing people promoting the station opening all over >>>>>>>>>> social media, don't realise that.
We donrCOt have to descend to the uninformed level of social media. >>>>>>>>>
Yes, this has been underway for months, and described in detail in the
The station may have the future branding, but it was built by Murphys,
for NR, and will be managed by GA.
But GA is nationalised, and hence part of GBR (in many people's minds).
In the news again, today, as part of the GA/C2C/NR consortium. >>>>>>>>>
railway press. They call it the Integrated Railway. But, in reality, only
the top execs have cross-company responsibilities, and the three companies
remain legally and financially separate. So itrCOs really only a virtually
integrated railway until it officially becomes part of GBR, probably in
2028. There are similar integrated chunks in SE and SWR territory. But,
strangely enough, itrCOs not happened with the TOCs that were nationalised
earlier, such as Northern, LNER or TPE, perhaps because they didnrCOt map so
neatly on to NR Routes.
https://www.greateranglia.co.uk/about-us/news-desk/news-articles/unified-leadership-team-launched-deliver-more-joined-railway
Just think of it as a temporary franchise operation. DfT, who own the trade
mark, have loaned the GBR brand out for the time being.
WhatrCOs the betting that the real GBR when in operation quietly replaces the
DfTrCOs amateurish branding with a proper, professional effort?
What's the betting the DfT says it is good enough and refuse to fund any >>>>>> changes.
Hopefully, the DfT won't be interfering with GBR at that level of
detail. In any case, a lot of those interfering civil
servants have now transferred to DfTO, and will become GBR employees in due course.
And they are suddenly going to change their habits ?
Richard Bowker posted this on LinjedIn:
A Brand is not a colour scheme or a gaudy new paint job. Rather, it serves >>> as a distinct identity in the market in which you operate. It creates
emotional connections with people, builds loyalty, brand equity and
crucially, helps you sell product and make money.
Quality brands are very hard earned so no-one serious every seriously
considers throwing them away on a whim. Yet itrCOs exactly what the
Department for Transport (DfT), United Kingdom appear to be doing with
Great Western Railway (GWR). In fairness, I doubt very much itrCOs the
professionals in the DfT doing this. Rather it feels like the brainchild of >>> the Special Advisers who occupy that shadowy world between policy and
politics: a bubble inhabited not by retail experts or marketing and brand >>> professionals, but focus groups, workshops and spin doctors.
I like the GWR brand because itrCOs elegant, sophisticated and instantly >>> recognisable. And whatever your view of GWR as a train operator (because >>> theyrCOre far from perfect and self aware enough to realise that themselves)
their marketing team deserve great credit for creating and carefully
maturing a brand over the years that has clearly been thought through
professionally from the outset.
The GBR colour scheme (because itrCOs not a brand) has been developed by >>> someone looking through the wrong end of the telescope and like so many
things that are built on foundations of sand, it will not endure.
Eventually someone with experience, understanding and grit will do the job >>> properly and consign it to history. ItrCOs just a shame that by the time we >>> get there, some wonderful brands such as GWR may have been consigned to the >>> history books.
The only design criteria was to use red, white and blue to satisfy
Boris's faux patriotism.
They should revert to chocolate and cream over in the west and teak vinyls
on the ECML.
On 16/05/2026 10:00, Tweed wrote:
Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:
On 15/05/2026 22:34, Recliner wrote:
Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:
On 15/05/2026 12:27, Recliner wrote:
On Thu, 14 May 2026 16:14:09 +0100, Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:
On 14/05/2026 12:57, Recliner wrote:
Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <9b470l90urml0o5m7c9mh7ud43kq7lhvju@4ax.com>, at 21:53:10 on
Tue, 12 May 2026, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked: >>>>>>>>>>>> On Tue, 12 May 2026 18:01:51 +0100, Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <ijD*simGA@news.chiark.greenend.org.uk>, at 12:00:24 on Tue,
12 May 2026, Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> remarked: >>>>>>>>>>>>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <WrnMR.2$hI1.0@fx16.ams1>, at 16:27:34 on Mon, 11 May 2026,
Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
The officials can't be arsed to turn out on a Sunday, I suppose.
Cambridge South station will open to passengers on 28 June, the Department
for Transport has announced.
Trains will start calling then at the -u250 million station, and
there will
be an official opening ceremony the following day. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
It's typical to have a 'soft start' opening, so any snags can be sorted.
Better to discover the toilets don't work properly when there are few people
about, than during the grand opening.
You seriously think they can discover and fix such snags overnight
Saturday to Sunday???? And anyway, the stations been sitting there
finished for weeks with no trains stopping, there's plenty on >>>>>>>>>>>>> opportunity to test the toilets, and god forbid the contractor tested
them before handing it over to GBR.
Yet again, there's no such organisation.
Sadly, the marketing people promoting the station opening all over >>>>>>>>>>> social media, don't realise that.
We donrCOt have to descend to the uninformed level of social media. >>>>>>>>>>
Yes, this has been underway for months, and described in detail in the
The station may have the future branding, but it was built by Murphys,
for NR, and will be managed by GA.
But GA is nationalised, and hence part of GBR (in many people's minds).
In the news again, today, as part of the GA/C2C/NR consortium. >>>>>>>>>>
railway press. They call it the Integrated Railway. But, in reality, only
the top execs have cross-company responsibilities, and the three companies
remain legally and financially separate. So itrCOs really only a virtually
integrated railway until it officially becomes part of GBR, probably in
2028. There are similar integrated chunks in SE and SWR territory. But,
strangely enough, itrCOs not happened with the TOCs that were nationalised
earlier, such as Northern, LNER or TPE, perhaps because they didnrCOt map so
neatly on to NR Routes.
https://www.greateranglia.co.uk/about-us/news-desk/news-articles/unified-leadership-team-launched-deliver-more-joined-railway
Just think of it as a temporary franchise operation. DfT, who own the trade
mark, have loaned the GBR brand out for the time being.
WhatrCOs the betting that the real GBR when in operation quietly replaces the
DfTrCOs amateurish branding with a proper, professional effort? >>>>>>>>
What's the betting the DfT says it is good enough and refuse to fund any
changes.
Hopefully, the DfT won't be interfering with GBR at that level of
detail. In any case, a lot of those interfering civil
servants have now transferred to DfTO, and will become GBR employees in due course.
And they are suddenly going to change their habits ?
Richard Bowker posted this on LinjedIn:
A Brand is not a colour scheme or a gaudy new paint job. Rather, it serves >>>> as a distinct identity in the market in which you operate. It creates
emotional connections with people, builds loyalty, brand equity and
crucially, helps you sell product and make money.
Quality brands are very hard earned so no-one serious every seriously
considers throwing them away on a whim. Yet itrCOs exactly what the
Department for Transport (DfT), United Kingdom appear to be doing with >>>> Great Western Railway (GWR). In fairness, I doubt very much itrCOs the >>>> professionals in the DfT doing this. Rather it feels like the brainchild of
the Special Advisers who occupy that shadowy world between policy and
politics: a bubble inhabited not by retail experts or marketing and brand >>>> professionals, but focus groups, workshops and spin doctors.
I like the GWR brand because itrCOs elegant, sophisticated and instantly >>>> recognisable. And whatever your view of GWR as a train operator (because >>>> theyrCOre far from perfect and self aware enough to realise that themselves)
their marketing team deserve great credit for creating and carefully
maturing a brand over the years that has clearly been thought through
professionally from the outset.
The GBR colour scheme (because itrCOs not a brand) has been developed by >>>> someone looking through the wrong end of the telescope and like so many >>>> things that are built on foundations of sand, it will not endure.
Eventually someone with experience, understanding and grit will do the job >>>> properly and consign it to history. ItrCOs just a shame that by the time we
get there, some wonderful brands such as GWR may have been consigned to the
history books.
The only design criteria was to use red, white and blue to satisfy
Boris's faux patriotism.
They should revert to chocolate and cream over in the west and teak vinyls >> on the ECML.
Wots rong wiv a nice Southern green?
On 16/05/2026 10:00, Tweed wrote:
Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:
On 15/05/2026 22:34, Recliner wrote:
Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:
On 15/05/2026 12:27, Recliner wrote:
On Thu, 14 May 2026 16:14:09 +0100, Graeme Wall
<rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:
On 14/05/2026 12:57, Recliner wrote:
Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <9b470l90urml0o5m7c9mh7ud43kq7lhvju@4ax.com>, at >>>>>>>>>>> 21:53:10 on
Tue, 12 May 2026, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked: >>>>>>>>>>>> On Tue, 12 May 2026 18:01:51 +0100, Roland Perry
<roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <ijD*simGA@news.chiark.greenend.org.uk>, at >>>>>>>>>>>>> 12:00:24 on Tue,
12 May 2026, Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> >>>>>>>>>>>>> remarked:
Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <WrnMR.2$hI1.0@fx16.ams1>, at 16:27:34 on Mon, >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 11 May 2026,
Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
The officials can't be arsed to turn out on a Sunday, I >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> suppose.
Cambridge South station will open to passengers on 28 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> June, the Department
for Transport has announced.
Trains will start calling then at the -u250 million >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> station, and
there will
be an official opening ceremony the following day. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
It's typical to have a 'soft start' opening, so any snags >>>>>>>>>>>>>> can be sorted.
Better to discover the toilets don't work properly when >>>>>>>>>>>>>> there are few people
about, than during the grand opening.
You seriously think they can discover and fix such snags >>>>>>>>>>>>> overnight
Saturday to Sunday????-a And anyway, the stations been >>>>>>>>>>>>> sitting there
finished for weeks with no trains stopping, there's plenty on >>>>>>>>>>>>> opportunity to test the toilets, and god forbid the >>>>>>>>>>>>> contractor tested
them before handing it over to GBR.
Yet again, there's no such organisation.
Sadly, the marketing people promoting the station opening all >>>>>>>>>>> over
social media, don't realise that.
We donrCOt have to descend to the uninformed level of social media. >>>>>>>>>>
Yes, this has been underway for months, and described in
The station may have the future branding, but it was built >>>>>>>>>>>> by Murphys,
for NR, and will be managed by GA.
But GA is nationalised, and hence part of GBR (in many
people's minds).
In the news again, today, as part of the GA/C2C/NR consortium. >>>>>>>>>>
detail in the
railway press. They call it the Integrated Railway. But, in >>>>>>>>>> reality, only
the top execs have cross-company responsibilities, and the >>>>>>>>>> three companies
remain legally and financially separate. So itrCOs really only a >>>>>>>>>> virtually
integrated railway until it officially becomes part of GBR, >>>>>>>>>> probably in
2028. There are similar integrated chunks in SE and SWR
territory. But,
strangely enough, itrCOs not happened with the TOCs that were >>>>>>>>>> nationalised
earlier, such as Northern, LNER or TPE, perhaps because they >>>>>>>>>> didnrCOt map so
neatly on to NR Routes.
https://www.greateranglia.co.uk/about-us/news-desk/news-articles/unified-leadership-team-launched-deliver-more-joined-railway
Just think of it as a temporary franchise operation. DfT, who >>>>>>>>> own the trade
mark, have loaned the GBR brand out for the time being.
WhatrCOs the betting that the real GBR when in operation quietly >>>>>>>> replaces the
DfTrCOs amateurish branding with a proper, professional effort? >>>>>>>>
What's the betting the DfT says it is good enough and refuse to >>>>>>> fund any
changes.
Hopefully, the DfT won't be interfering with GBR at that level of
detail.-a In any case, a lot of those interfering civil
servants have now transferred to DfTO, and will become GBR
employees in due course.
And they are suddenly going to change their habits ?
Richard Bowker posted this on LinjedIn:
A Brand is not a colour scheme or a gaudy new paint job. Rather, it
serves
as a distinct identity in the market in which you operate. It creates
emotional connections with people, builds loyalty, brand equity and
crucially, helps you sell product and make money.
Quality brands are very hard earned so no-one serious every seriously
considers throwing them away on a whim. Yet itrCOs exactly what the
Department for Transport (DfT), United Kingdom appear to be doing with >>>> Great Western Railway (GWR). In fairness, I doubt very much itrCOs the >>>> professionals in the DfT doing this. Rather it feels like the
brainchild of
the Special Advisers who occupy that shadowy world between policy and
politics: a bubble inhabited not by retail experts or marketing and
brand
professionals, but focus groups, workshops and spin doctors.
I like the GWR brand because itrCOs elegant, sophisticated and instantly >>>> recognisable. And whatever your view of GWR as a train operator
(because
theyrCOre far from perfect and self aware enough to realise that
themselves)
their marketing team deserve great credit for creating and carefully
maturing a brand over the years that has clearly been thought through
professionally from the outset.
The GBR colour scheme (because itrCOs not a brand) has been developed by >>>> someone looking through the wrong end of the telescope and like so many >>>> things that are built on foundations of sand, it will not endure.
Eventually someone with experience, understanding and grit will do
the job
properly and consign it to history. ItrCOs just a shame that by the
time we
get there, some wonderful brands such as GWR may have been consigned
to the
history books.
The only design criteria was to use red, white and blue to satisfy
Boris's faux patriotism.
They should revert to chocolate and cream over in the west and teak
vinyls
on the ECML.
Wots rong wiv a nice Southern green?
On 16/05/2026 17:33, ColinR wrote:
On 16/05/2026 10:00, Tweed wrote:
Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:
On 15/05/2026 22:34, Recliner wrote:
Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:
On 15/05/2026 12:27, Recliner wrote:
On Thu, 14 May 2026 16:14:09 +0100, Graeme Wall
<rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:
On 14/05/2026 12:57, Recliner wrote:
Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <9b470l90urml0o5m7c9mh7ud43kq7lhvju@4ax.com>, at >>>>>>>>>>>> 21:53:10 on
Tue, 12 May 2026, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked: >>>>>>>>>>>>> On Tue, 12 May 2026 18:01:51 +0100, Roland Perry
<roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <ijD*simGA@news.chiark.greenend.org.uk>, at >>>>>>>>>>>>>> 12:00:24 on Tue,
12 May 2026, Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> >>>>>>>>>>>>>> remarked:
Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <WrnMR.2$hI1.0@fx16.ams1>, at 16:27:34 on Mon, >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 11 May 2026,
Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked: >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Cambridge South station will open to passengers on 28 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> June, the DepartmentThe officials can't be arsed to turn out on a Sunday, I >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> suppose.
for Transport has announced.
Trains will start calling then at the -u250 million >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> station, and
there will
be an official opening ceremony the following day. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
It's typical to have a 'soft start' opening, so any snags >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> can be sorted.
Better to discover the toilets don't work properly when >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> there are few people
about, than during the grand opening.
You seriously think they can discover and fix such snags >>>>>>>>>>>>>> overnight
Saturday to Sunday????-a And anyway, the stations been >>>>>>>>>>>>>> sitting there
finished for weeks with no trains stopping, there's plenty on >>>>>>>>>>>>>> opportunity to test the toilets, and god forbid the >>>>>>>>>>>>>> contractor tested
them before handing it over to GBR.
Yet again, there's no such organisation.
Sadly, the marketing people promoting the station opening all >>>>>>>>>>>> over
social media, don't realise that.
We donrCOt have to descend to the uninformed level of social media. >>>>>>>>>>>
Yes, this has been underway for months, and described in >>>>>>>>>>> detail in the
The station may have the future branding, but it was built >>>>>>>>>>>>> by Murphys,
for NR, and will be managed by GA.
But GA is nationalised, and hence part of GBR (in many >>>>>>>>>>>> people's minds).
In the news again, today, as part of the GA/C2C/NR consortium. >>>>>>>>>>>
railway press. They call it the Integrated Railway. But, in >>>>>>>>>>> reality, only
the top execs have cross-company responsibilities, and the >>>>>>>>>>> three companies
remain legally and financially separate. So itrCOs really only a >>>>>>>>>>> virtually
integrated railway until it officially becomes part of GBR, >>>>>>>>>>> probably in
2028. There are similar integrated chunks in SE and SWR >>>>>>>>>>> territory. But,
strangely enough, itrCOs not happened with the TOCs that were >>>>>>>>>>> nationalised
earlier, such as Northern, LNER or TPE, perhaps because they >>>>>>>>>>> didnrCOt map so
neatly on to NR Routes.
https://www.greateranglia.co.uk/about-us/news-desk/news-articles/unified-leadership-team-launched-deliver-more-joined-railway
Just think of it as a temporary franchise operation. DfT, who >>>>>>>>>> own the trade
mark, have loaned the GBR brand out for the time being.
WhatrCOs the betting that the real GBR when in operation quietly >>>>>>>>> replaces the
DfTrCOs amateurish branding with a proper, professional effort? >>>>>>>>>
What's the betting the DfT says it is good enough and refuse to >>>>>>>> fund any
changes.
Hopefully, the DfT won't be interfering with GBR at that level of >>>>>>> detail.-a In any case, a lot of those interfering civil
servants have now transferred to DfTO, and will become GBR
employees in due course.
And they are suddenly going to change their habits ?
Richard Bowker posted this on LinjedIn:
A Brand is not a colour scheme or a gaudy new paint job. Rather, it >>>>> serves
as a distinct identity in the market in which you operate. It creates >>>>> emotional connections with people, builds loyalty, brand equity and
crucially, helps you sell product and make money.
Quality brands are very hard earned so no-one serious every seriously >>>>> considers throwing them away on a whim. Yet itrCOs exactly what the
Department for Transport (DfT), United Kingdom appear to be doing with >>>>> Great Western Railway (GWR). In fairness, I doubt very much itrCOs the >>>>> professionals in the DfT doing this. Rather it feels like the
brainchild of
the Special Advisers who occupy that shadowy world between policy and >>>>> politics: a bubble inhabited not by retail experts or marketing and >>>>> brand
professionals, but focus groups, workshops and spin doctors.
I like the GWR brand because itrCOs elegant, sophisticated and instantly >>>>> recognisable. And whatever your view of GWR as a train operator
(because
theyrCOre far from perfect and self aware enough to realise that
themselves)
their marketing team deserve great credit for creating and carefully >>>>> maturing a brand over the years that has clearly been thought through >>>>> professionally from the outset.
The GBR colour scheme (because itrCOs not a brand) has been developed by >>>>> someone looking through the wrong end of the telescope and like so many >>>>> things that are built on foundations of sand, it will not endure.
Eventually someone with experience, understanding and grit will do
the job
properly and consign it to history. ItrCOs just a shame that by the >>>>> time we
get there, some wonderful brands such as GWR may have been consigned >>>>> to the
history books.
The only design criteria was to use red, white and blue to satisfy
Boris's faux patriotism.
They should revert to chocolate and cream over in the west and teak
vinyls
on the ECML.
Wots rong wiv a nice Southern green?
Stroudley's version?
Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:
On 16/05/2026 17:33, ColinR wrote:
On 16/05/2026 10:00, Tweed wrote:
Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:
On 15/05/2026 22:34, Recliner wrote:
Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:
On 15/05/2026 12:27, Recliner wrote:
On Thu, 14 May 2026 16:14:09 +0100, Graeme Wall
<rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:
On 14/05/2026 12:57, Recliner wrote:
Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <9b470l90urml0o5m7c9mh7ud43kq7lhvju@4ax.com>, at >>>>>>>>>>>>> 21:53:10 on
Tue, 12 May 2026, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked: >>>>>>>>>>>>>> On Tue, 12 May 2026 18:01:51 +0100, Roland Perry
<roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <ijD*simGA@news.chiark.greenend.org.uk>, at >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 12:00:24 on Tue,
12 May 2026, Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> remarked:
Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:
In message <WrnMR.2$hI1.0@fx16.ams1>, at 16:27:34 on Mon, >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 11 May 2026,
Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked: >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Cambridge South station will open to passengers on 28 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> June, the DepartmentThe officials can't be arsed to turn out on a Sunday, I >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> suppose.
for Transport has announced.
Trains will start calling then at the -u250 million >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> station, and
there will
be an official opening ceremony the following day. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
It's typical to have a 'soft start' opening, so any snags >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> can be sorted.
Better to discover the toilets don't work properly when >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> there are few people
about, than during the grand opening.
You seriously think they can discover and fix such snags >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> overnight
Saturday to Sunday????-a And anyway, the stations been >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> sitting there
finished for weeks with no trains stopping, there's plenty on >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> opportunity to test the toilets, and god forbid the >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> contractor tested
them before handing it over to GBR.
Yet again, there's no such organisation.
Sadly, the marketing people promoting the station opening all >>>>>>>>>>>>> over
social media, don't realise that.
We donrCOt have to descend to the uninformed level of social media.
Yes, this has been underway for months, and described in >>>>>>>>>>>> detail in the
The station may have the future branding, but it was built >>>>>>>>>>>>>> by Murphys,
for NR, and will be managed by GA.
But GA is nationalised, and hence part of GBR (in many >>>>>>>>>>>>> people's minds).
In the news again, today, as part of the GA/C2C/NR consortium. >>>>>>>>>>>>
railway press. They call it the Integrated Railway. But, in >>>>>>>>>>>> reality, only
the top execs have cross-company responsibilities, and the >>>>>>>>>>>> three companies
remain legally and financially separate. So itrCOs really only a >>>>>>>>>>>> virtually
integrated railway until it officially becomes part of GBR, >>>>>>>>>>>> probably in
2028. There are similar integrated chunks in SE and SWR >>>>>>>>>>>> territory. But,
strangely enough, itrCOs not happened with the TOCs that were >>>>>>>>>>>> nationalised
earlier, such as Northern, LNER or TPE, perhaps because they >>>>>>>>>>>> didnrCOt map so
neatly on to NR Routes.
https://www.greateranglia.co.uk/about-us/news-desk/news-articles/unified-leadership-team-launched-deliver-more-joined-railway
Just think of it as a temporary franchise operation. DfT, who >>>>>>>>>>> own the trade
mark, have loaned the GBR brand out for the time being.
WhatrCOs the betting that the real GBR when in operation quietly >>>>>>>>>> replaces the
DfTrCOs amateurish branding with a proper, professional effort? >>>>>>>>>>
What's the betting the DfT says it is good enough and refuse to >>>>>>>>> fund any
changes.
Hopefully, the DfT won't be interfering with GBR at that level of >>>>>>>> detail.-a In any case, a lot of those interfering civil
servants have now transferred to DfTO, and will become GBR
employees in due course.
And they are suddenly going to change their habits ?
Richard Bowker posted this on LinjedIn:
A Brand is not a colour scheme or a gaudy new paint job. Rather, it >>>>>> serves
as a distinct identity in the market in which you operate. It creates >>>>>> emotional connections with people, builds loyalty, brand equity and >>>>>> crucially, helps you sell product and make money.
Quality brands are very hard earned so no-one serious every seriously >>>>>> considers throwing them away on a whim. Yet itrCOs exactly what the >>>>>> Department for Transport (DfT), United Kingdom appear to be doing with >>>>>> Great Western Railway (GWR). In fairness, I doubt very much itrCOs the >>>>>> professionals in the DfT doing this. Rather it feels like the
brainchild of
the Special Advisers who occupy that shadowy world between policy and >>>>>> politics: a bubble inhabited not by retail experts or marketing and >>>>>> brand
professionals, but focus groups, workshops and spin doctors.
I like the GWR brand because itrCOs elegant, sophisticated and instantly >>>>>> recognisable. And whatever your view of GWR as a train operator
(because
theyrCOre far from perfect and self aware enough to realise that
themselves)
their marketing team deserve great credit for creating and carefully >>>>>> maturing a brand over the years that has clearly been thought through >>>>>> professionally from the outset.
The GBR colour scheme (because itrCOs not a brand) has been developed by >>>>>> someone looking through the wrong end of the telescope and like so many >>>>>> things that are built on foundations of sand, it will not endure.
Eventually someone with experience, understanding and grit will do >>>>>> the job
properly and consign it to history. ItrCOs just a shame that by the >>>>>> time we
get there, some wonderful brands such as GWR may have been consigned >>>>>> to the
history books.
The only design criteria was to use red, white and blue to satisfy
Boris's faux patriotism.
They should revert to chocolate and cream over in the west and teak
vinyls
on the ECML.
Wots rong wiv a nice Southern green?
Stroudley's version?
Great improvement.
Sam
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