Liveries Livery Concept Test Program (gbr)

A new thread for a very exciting and interesting time.

As some of you are aware that SWR has been renationalised under the current governments plans to have all network infrastructure under government ownership by 2027.

A team was set up to investigate and create a new GBR identity delivering on the government’s plans to provide a new unified identity. That Team is called Great British Railways Transition Team or GBRTT.

I’ve been following this team for some time and why on top of a Rail 200 project been working on various ideas and concepts. Also I have noticed others paying attention to what’s happening and possibly been drawn to GBR as I have just recently shared a Class 350 in a GBR concept livery on CC.

So I thought due to how well the Class 350 has been received and how excited I am about the current government’s plans including the work done by the GBRTT Blog that I thought I would set this thread up.

Not only for me to share conceptual work but for others to share any ideas too.
As I say it’s a great opportunity for anyone interested in concept work or corporate branding.
Even sharing thoughts about the current situation on the GBR branding as this has yet to be officially confirmed around December this year.

Here’s to GBR and GBRTT in finding success for a unified fleet fit for the nation.
And to the community is sharing such an exciting time in UK railway history.

Rigsby.
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The start.

Here is the Class 350 I did as a little break away from working on a class 390.

I did have this planned for a Team member but unfortunately time was a major issue and why the work I’d been doing hadn’t progressed.

The idea for a unified fleet was and is something I myself have been toying around with on another project called HH, RN UK.
Again time tho has prevented any of what I’d had in mind doing from coming to any fruition.

Until now. I wanted to work on something simple due a little hand injury.
The key design point is.

A, That unified look. So BR logo is projected on a LCD side screen. This is because each region as planned by the GBRTT is colour coded.
So for ease of operation then the BR logo and side panels can be changed based on operational demands or out of place units/sets.
The Class 395 I’ll be working on soon as will a 801 and 390 have this idea built in.

B, Easy for the public, a universal design that can be implemented and adopted across things such as Station Signs, Uniforms, even merchandise. A Yellow Teddy for SW or a Blue Teddy for SE Regions.
The BR Arrow logo will remain as it has always been expected it changes colour to match a region colour.
Even the Network maps could be improved by using the same design elements of the London Underground System Map.
Again colour is unique as it can speak to many different dialects without no long messy time consuming information boards.

C, Cost (Real world) Time (Creation Time). Again I can’t do anything to demanding or complicated now. So simple is all I can do.
But simple is best when looking at how vast an English owned network would be. It’s a huge task so I’ve tried to make it simple.

By sticking to the core principles then here is a simple cost saving concept. It also works well with points A, and B.
It meets the criteria maybe the GBRTT is looking for as would I if I was had any say in the matter.
As a user that spend a lot of time on complicated work then in one hour I did these.

So if I can swap and change these fast and I don’t have a LCD screen built into this design or have in real life then I can still pump these out now. Standardised. And unified.

SOUTHEAST REGION.
…

 

SOUTHWEST REGION.

I don’t want to say to much of what I have and haven’t done but it works on all that I have worked on.
It works.

So please let me know what you think about this concept. I have designed this to meet all requirements I feel would be set for a task of such huge proportions. Identity, Cost, efficiency, clean, adaptable. And most of keeps the BR Arrow logo as it should always be.

The Icon that it is, just with a splash of colour and for a purpose not to be all British and pompous and be something it’s not.
A Design like the BR Arrow Logo cannot not be touched. Because if so why use it in the first place if it detracts from how the logo speaks.

It would be like asking Coca Cola to change its brand name.

Bring Back BR but don’t destroy an Icon.

Rigsby.
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Had to make a class 377/2. EAST ANGLIA.



A few photos of the three regions on class 377/4 and 377/2.

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….
As mentioned before I am so glad that the weeks of messing around have paid off, because the theme you see works on all class on TSW5.

I will try get this on later today.

TG08 if you see this then why wait for the future when you can build the future now

The fun we and all could have with this concept, especially on the scenario side.

Thanks.

Bernard.

 

https://creatorsclub.dovetailgames.com/creations/219872
Class 484 In GBR

 

That’s just the promotional livery tho isn’t it?. The colour scheme suits that class but it won’t be the final design I don’t think.
It’s doesn’t meet the criteria that’s been laid out. If it had then you would have a finalised design now, not coming in the future.
It’s here now so how come they didn’t know it was coming. I knew.

Thanks for sharing your work tho. I’ll sub later as not signed in on CC.

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In the works. I’m including Freight in this transition as freight is now firmly on my radar.

GBR East Midlands Regional Railway Class 385. And a CLI Class 66.

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A few new classes added.

A Class 385 in EAST MIDLANDS Regional colours.

….

 

Class 323.

Class 323 223 GBR NORTH Region. New condition.


Then 323 224 but in used condition.
(WIP).

Hopefully I can share some pictures of a nice 158. The LCD one later today

Rigsby.
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Now for West Midlands and Chiltern Regions.

Class 158.
(WIP)

Then Chiltern Region Class 375/9.

(WIP).

Struggling on with the basics back at the Paint Shop, but the doors are not locked just yet

Bernard.

 

The Class 710.

A workable design taking many design elements into consideration with an interchangeable approach for operations by use of Integrated Digital screen displays. These can display the different Colour BR logos and Routes or Regional colours.

(WIP)


The screens will be fitted and there’s even a good chance it might be finished later tonight

Bernard.

 

Doing some colour test.

Visualising.

When leaning about certain key points of ship design I was told if it looks right then it probably is.
So photos and visualising work in its natural surroundings helps one get a feel for the livery design. Balance.
Why it’s always good to play around to catch or try creating scenes we would see in a normal day to day environment.

If it fits in then it must look right.

Bernard.

 

Batch announcement.

Three Class 323’s GBR NORTH Region are now available on CC.
Sets 223, 224 and 225.

Batch/ Reskin names.
TSLP323/223 Set. GBR North. Fictitious. OVN.
Cat/Job No: TSLP323/223F1YNL5R5OR1EDMGP
Livery link: https://creatorsclub.dovetailgames.com/creations/220350


Reskin name. TSLP323/224 Set. GBR North. Fictitious. OVN.
Cat/Job No: TSLP323/224F1YNL5ROR1EDMGP
Livery link: https://creatorsclub.dovetailgames.com/creations/220356



Reskin Name. TSLP323/225 Set. GBR North. Fictitious. OVN.
Cat/Job No: TSLP323/225F1YNL5R5OR1EDMGP
Livery link: https://creatorsclub.dovetailgames.com/creations/220358




I thought I’d add a batch of 3 to give that feeling of a complete rebrand. Even crossed my mind about doing full fleets. In theory I could as it’s a simple matter of copy change the numbers and you have a new set.

Has anyone ever attempted this. If not I might give it a shot one day.

It’s back to the 390s soon.

I hope you have fun in sharing my vision of a unified English rail network on TSW.
Like the R200 Project then the possibilities are endless.

Thanks

Bernard.

 

The same uniformed livery but with different colours and areas.

SE

SW


Or…….

 

And London Overground.



I was hoping to have these up tonight but I still need to do a QC check. Been a little drowsy over the last few days, so best double check

Bernard.

 

Announcement of a next batch of 4.

I’m proud to announce that Classes 158 and 710s are now available on CC.

Reskin name: TSLP158/701 Set. GBR, WMR. OVN.
Cat/Job No: TSLP158/701F1YNL5R5OR1EDMML
Livery link: https://creatorsclub.dovetailgames.com/creations/220606

…..

 

Product TSLP710c.

Reskin name. TSLP710c Concept GBR SE Blue.
Cat/Job No: TSLP710cF1YNL5R5OR1EDGBLIN.
Livery link: https://creatorsclub.dovetailgames.com/creations/220613



…….

 

Product TSLPd.

Reskin name: TSLP710d. Concept GBR SW, orange. OVN.
Cat/Job No: TSLP710dF2YNL5R5OR1EDGBLIN
Livery link: https://creatorsclub.dovetailgames.com/creations/220617


…….

 

Product TSLP710/101.

Reskin name: TSLP710/101. Concept GBR OG. OVN.
Cat/Job No: TSLP710/101F1YNL5R5OR1EDGBLIN
Livery link: https://creatorsclub.dovetailgames.com/creations/220640


…….

 

So to summarise this batch.
For the class 158 then a few more will be added in due course.
For a further batch of Class 710’s is not on the TSLP job books as the aim of why they are here sooner than expected has hopefully the past situation has been remedied. As the main purpose of what the fleet flexibility has been demonstrated for the smaller operational arms.
Such a Mersey Rail might not be part or included in the main GBR franchise. Unit could having a separation between the two yet still have some core design elements such as the colours of regional networks for class 377 such as this.


(WIP)

The theme could be linked to Welsh and Scottish.
Very early design for a TfW yet shares the shame GBR theme.



So for the class 710s they have served a purpose by showing that a set unified network could work and what that network could look like for and if the small operators were to be included in the current government plans.

A few more GBRs be rolled out as other work can hopefully be worked on by the TSLP Paint Shed.

Thank you and I do hope you enjoy.

Bernard.

 

Something close to home now.


Again using the key theme adjusted for TfW. The simplicity of a standardised concept and more importantly to keep cost down.
To rebrand a fleet the size the UK will be responsible for is huge so keeping cost down for me anyway is a major design factor on why the design is simple. Cost, costs that are usually gained through tickets prices. So to keep cost down I’ve stripped it all back to a simple functional design. Be for use in England, Scotland and Wales.

You’ll always see that Icon just like the old days.

Bring back British Rail

Bernard.

 

Alright if I pop my concept in, more to come...
Each train will have the base livery plus a nod to region.

 

Sure my friend it’s why I set it up so knock ya self out

I’m gald you have posted here as I admire your work. I like seeing the variation between our style approach.
My work I’d consider a little reserved and conservative say. Yet if I can pass comment on your style then it’s more bright and bold.
With a nod to current operators. So sure I love what you’re doing and it’s great to hear your doing more.

The thread is set up for GBR concept work so use as you wish. I’m not one of those that will have a go at those that say boo to a ghost.

Have fun

Rigsby.
✌

 

Looking at your design could you feed the lines from the BR arrrow and feed down the length of the unit.
You could open up the BR logo so it creates a large space between the two feed lines so you could place some text.

I’ll try make the British Airways theme unit as those have a up swoop from feeds lines to divide the white and the lower blue shirt.

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I feel like continuing with the current base design, I am happy with it as it took a while of R&D to get to this point. I want the feel of a united livery in the base design, but then a nod to the region which could either look as though it's apart of base livery, very subtle to looking completely different, which sort of what I'm working on with Great Western region GBR livery, it includes nods to London & the Cotswolds, Thames & Severn Valleys, and Devon and Cornwall as their all apart of the Great Western region.

 

Sure as now you have explained more than I feel it’s a more in-depth approach than my current one. I am very limited in what I know when it comes to what you have explained. Why the work is again simple from my side. A simple man basically.

But as I say now you have explained more then yes it all makes sense now. A good idea to be fair so I can’t wait to see how your concept develops.

Just quickly as my message and notifications has fired up. It’s really getting exciting today

So here is a basic example of trying to blend BA in to GBR as again a national brand or identity. A GBR or Arrow logo up front feed the lines down the length to fade into the Union Jack on the unit ends.


Looks like Airforce One lol. Trump Edition.

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Pink again



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GBR Biomass Division.

Now for a Class 66 in a GBR theme applied for the rail sector.
GBRf have been re gearing some imported units as well as UK based units. One being 66 779 “Evening Star” New TOPS classification 66 689. This is why this locomotive which is part of a 5 unit batch where targeted for the concept livery.


It’s a brand new master livery for the ECW class 66 so a batch of 5 will be easy to create if this is well received by the community.

✌.

 

Very nice. I like the continuity with the stripe which travels all along the side of the 66 to match the other GBR concept liveries you've made

 

Yep a unified look. The idea of that line came with this one as I’m sure I’ve shown you last time.
The line sits under the green window line. So if you visualise this 395 white with royal blue then the red 4 stripes for United Kingdom, you see where the idea was heading I wanted to mess around with some in game decals first and why I have no GBR 395 at the ready.

So yes that line and simple white base and light grey and use if the black which stems from early work like this.

The use of the black was a nod and theme I was going with in relation to stream engines. I just wanted to see how the use of black could be used on any old or new locos or EMUs. Simple colours yet a reason why. Cost and a nod to the past all in one

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That sounds similar to what I had in mind with the Royal blue. Hold on I'll send you some of my ideas in case it matches what you had in mind. But yes these look quite good anyway. I can see how your designs have become more detailed as well which is quite interesting

 

Yes fire them over mate it will help distract me from the R200 stuff.
Lee gone, Bernard here

Okay then lad hahah, pop them over then. As I wanted a BA theme look and a sub division for longer distance route or XC.
The APT is also a GBR back up from when R200 is over. They will be re edited as a unified APT theme and more for the different main routes and units. This sets any high speed service in a theme of its own and away from a single unified approach yet still has a creative theme by adding special liveries to main stream TOCs. Bit of fun and variety for the keen eyed train spotters. (Rudy was ideal for that idea)

Adding nothing but GBR on the routes so I or anyone could envision my concept or others concept and fleets.
That’s my approach, bringing what could be seen now by playing around on a massive scale.

The amount of work all done and backed up for this purpose is sat now waiting.
So yes shows what you have in mind as I’ve seen a few decent ones around to be fair.
Others have more graphical knowledge of what TOCs server what lines etc. I don’t have a clue.

Catch you soon.

Bernard.

 

I sent them over a little while ago. Nothing major, just some ideas I had. I think the 80x model I was going to try it on would suit it as it's got a long bodyshell so some of the design elements really cater for it.

 

Sorry I’m rambling yes. The work you see is done on TSW2 or TSW3 so only had 300 decals. This is the only reason HH is so bland compared with other companies logos. I only had 300 layers plus back then I wasn’t as skilled as I am now. Then it took about 6 decals for a front rail on a 66, now it’s just two. So yes good spot because since I’ve had a PS5 and TSW4 then it’s definitely improved life for me.
Been doing it for some years my friend

And all that you see was most deleted as I had some work in the 1000s yet all been reset after a mass deleting job by me,
Had to upload each one again from scratch.

Anyway not worked on this one for some time but again you see that shape or outline of where the line or lines will go.

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I’ve not seen owt at this end. But yes the 800 series would look good but left those for the BA kinda theme like the quick mock on the 390 I posted a few days ago.

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Oh sorry. I sent them in DMs just in case we discussed them and you wanted to keep it private

 

Sorry I will check then, please excuse me as I’m all nervous and anxious looking at DMs now. I’m trying not to lock up and shut off.
You read my mind tho so good call. Let’s keep what we discuss privately now. Make them blind and deaf.

We will sit by a fire, you and me. No eyes or ears in this lodge must not be

Silence.

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I've decided to put the Great Western Sprinters on the back burner for a bit and instead I have created the GBR - InterCity livery for the 390/0.
It's simplistic, drastically different from the base regional livery, but at the same time the same in key aspects: The logo, colour scheme, font etc.
And here, I felt if the logo and branding was located in the middle lower portion it would feel too cluttered and so I placed it above giving (I feel) a cleaner look.

 

You have no idea how sad I'd be if 66689 lost it's livery

 

I see where you’re going with it, basic is the most likely solution for a huge re branding project. XC of ICE I feel should always have a flow design that is mostly unbroken by logos etc, this is to avoid over clutter as you say.

I sleek elegant design basically. Why if you look at these as an example you can see where I’ve built seat information etc into the design. I placed letters at the top yet placed lines in to help them flow with the with the rest of the design. Using thin lines like here and on the GBR liveries makes it more streamlined as lines can make something look slim so can remove that cluttered look if say using against a full bold colour which for balance reasons is mostly at the bottom, or under the window line. A full bold line or colour high up can unsettle how a livery looks in terms of balance, thus any design for a high speed train wants to look sleek yet not to heavy in its design like the APT WCML theme seen above.
My friend and close community member (Jplayz) let me join the WCML theme as we were doing something similar. A lot going on so again filled the body out with use of the thin lines to try remove that heavy cluttered look.

If you want take some cues from the GBR work if ya like with the four lines. I don’t mind at all as it more about seeing what things would look like than one individual hogging any ideas.
So I will show you my 390 versions soon as most of the 390s for R200 have not only the one theme but 2 as a standard united APT ICE WCML theme is there too.

Basically on doing further research it seems like any XC or IC service might be set apart from the other unified theme for local or regional services.

Meaning you could have two themes to play with. IC services and Regional ones which means you or I and anyone else for that matter are not pinned down to one major theme for all rolling stock. This is why if you have seen all my R200 390 work to date does have the same theme yet slightly different for the added value of having fancy liveries on UK main lines for the excitement of when if out and about train-spotting they can get a good spot. Or that rare capture.

So yes I’m loving what you’re doing which is playing around with ideas even sharing them with me.
If I have any suggestions on to help streamline the design better is if you added fours lines at the top with run from the top red line running up at the front. Brake the line tho from the from but carry those fours lines through the top logos.
Then if you cover over the lines with white behind the logo the shade out of the ends it might look better.
Same the lower lines if you brought the logos down then again you could fade out.
Something similar to this with how the GBR logo fades in with the lines.




Again it can help resolve issues with over clutter while adding a sense of movement while still. It would work well on your design because you also have a rake from the front lines you could add the shade or fade decals.

You can see how effective a shade decal works as it’s used in real world situations like with this US based company.


I’ll add some more work for the 390 soon. As I say tho have a play with my suggestion if you like and see what you get

Thanks again for sharing.

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Don’t worry I think it will remain like this.

I had no decals left for the writing under the name plate

There’s a number of EU based units being brought to the UK for a re gearing program that will reduce speed from 75 to 65 so they’ll have more torque for the work they will be used for. Which is construction materials etc for HS2 and other UK based projects I believe.

I have a list if your interested in what’s being re classified under the re gearing program. As 5 have already been reclassified 66 779 (The 5th) now 66 689 is one of them. Not sure if they are all due a new rebrand though so I will find this out.

✌.

 

No worries. There's no rush anyways

 

I like to keep things relatively simple as my skills in the creators club is hardly expert, although I will be adding external seating info, I thought as to take your idea of a (mostly) base white livery, lowering practical costs, while maintaining that sleek and simple look. I feel the current design isn't too heavy so to speak and will be rather simple to implement on other vehicles and I feel as though I will continue with the InterCity livery for the 'fleet' and other fleets for the time being.

 

Same here to be honest with you as if we look at past liveries they are quite simple and reserved. Corporate look so things I’ve mentioned before such as signs, uniforms even letter heading and fonts is all designed by one team creating a look designed for not only it’s fleet but stations and infrastructure. The cost to do this will run well into the millions so to keep cost down, use what ever passenger infrastructure currently in place with some simple modifications as the BR Arrow logo is still used.

Maintenance and company appearance. If all have a simple base colour with decals or skins is used then any repairs will be easy due to the simple base colours of white and off white. As any logo’s branding stripes etc are all body wraps. Time and man hours cost, so lowering fleet down time is key to keeping cost down and maintaining a consistent business revenue by keeping services covered while retaining a clean well maintained fleet.

So I would agree that in this case and in any possible real case scenario then cost is going to be a major concern and contributing factor on what we the nation will see.

And skills not always important but what your mind creates is. Anyone can make a livery with enough practice but you can’t easily be creative with fresh ideas no matter how much practice one does.
I’m glad you brought it up as I was going to suggest adding more detail to lift the livery a little.
Just didn’t want you feel offended if I did. So if you need a hand with anything I’d be more than happy to help.
As I’m playing with APT anyway and the Intercity theme like here.

The intercity services are again separate from the regional theme.


So I’m moving on to the 800 series and 390s, possibly the 395 to finish off, and why it’s no problem for me to give you a hand if needed.

Keep us posted as I might have something later for you. The number information will be very simple yet built into the wole design.
Similar to this.



Information and design cues from 70s BR corporate branding built into a modern design. You could play around with that theme, or again have a simple line running at the top bring the roof line down a little to reduce the top heavy look. The line could run parallel with the top door edge then place numbers within that line. Clean and sleek.

Have fun

Rigsby.
✌

 

I have added external information to the pendolino and select 3 390/0 fleet numbers at random for some variation, although this will be shared in my next post, however I would like to introduce the newest member of the InterCity family... The Class 801/1 for which 3 random fleet numbers have also been drafted, these being 801/103, 105 and 111 and I can share on these.
This specific unit being 801111 at Newark Northgate.

This train includes 2 sets of coach letterings for when they are used in 10 carriage formations according to the LNER website.
A nice sunrise image really makes the livery look majestic, like the pendolino I have now included 1st Class info on the external body of the train, this includes a gold stripe above the designated 1st Class Zone.

 

Here is the updated Class 390, with external seating, disabled space, bike space, and 1st Class external information.
Now I plan to continue with the regional side of things with the Class 170 (168). Can you see where I'm going with this?.. With the Thames and Chiltern region, I felt like separating from the South West region as it's massive as it is and services from London coming from the Midlands services region just didn't feel right.

 

I like the effect you've gone for. I don't know if this was intentional, but it sort of reminds me of the APT livery. It looks great though. The blue, red and white really compliments each other leading to a clean finish. Very nicely done

 

I didn't actually notice what I had done at first, but now that it's been pointed out it makes me slightly fonder of my creation. I appreciate your compliments.

 

Hey sorry I’ve not been around much of late. Yet this is a nice surprise to see what you’ve been up to.

What can I say very impressed. You see your design is quite nice, yet by adding what you have can make all the difference.
And you can see that. I’ve noticed a few things like the pill shape decal slightly stretched so the ends don’t look rounded.
Plus looks like you’re doing the disability stickers etc by hand.

These are the ares I’d focus on as again I feel it would set the livery of better.
For the warning decals etc then here are is my collection.
I gained most of these by ways of the Mastery Rewards, if your not sure which DLC they come with then I can provide that information.
And for any TOPS for sets of individual unit numbers then again I have all that information for 800 series as for the full 390 sets and there formations.

Have to say tho it’s very impressive and defo got some competition on my hands I’ll see if my old mate Mister Mystery is up for one a bit of action doing something similar.

Great stuff mate, you’ve definitely worked hard on it.
I do really like it nice one.

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