| Re: GBR and 'Brand strategy' Posted by IndustryInsider at 16:25, 6th July 2026 |     |
As I’ve said I expect little change, initially at least.
The main positive from day one will be a degree of certainty about the set up. GBR has been ‘on the way’ for many years now and it will have affected all sorts of things from longer term strategies to, as the day comes nearer, day to day running.
There will no longer be accusations of shareholders taking all the profits or ‘zombie franchises’ and there will be less layers of complexity that various vested parties can hide behind when it comes to being held to account.
| Re: GBR and 'Brand strategy' Posted by TaplowGreen at 15:38, 6th July 2026 | |
It's been very interesting travelling around Europe over recent weeks and seeing differing / regional branding and how it's seems to have brought differentiation between service and local pride.
The German example of the ICE (Intercity Express) fleet is nationwide, there are some DB (red trains) regional services, but also a wide range of liveries for various areas.
Perhaps at a time the railway is struggling with reliability and reputation (I find myself getting an unprecedented level of of criticism when I post about day out opportunities) the time for a rebranding is as things get sorted out. In the last six months, we have been moving towards that on the TransWilts and a new brand might give a new start opportunity.
The German example of the ICE (Intercity Express) fleet is nationwide, there are some DB (red trains) regional services, but also a wide range of liveries for various areas.
Perhaps at a time the railway is struggling with reliability and reputation (I find myself getting an unprecedented level of of criticism when I post about day out opportunities) the time for a rebranding is as things get sorted out. In the last six months, we have been moving towards that on the TransWilts and a new brand might give a new start opportunity.
That really depends on what tangible benefits you see GBR bringing to TransWilts in the customer context, and how that can be articulated and delivered.
What difference is it going to make? Is the question most will ask.
Is it going to mean improved reliability? Additional services?
Or is it just the same people in different ties, and the same trains in a different colour scheme.
| Re: GBR and 'Brand strategy' Posted by grahame at 13:09, 6th July 2026 | |
It's been very interesting travelling around Europe over recent weeks and seeing differing / regional branding and how it's seems to have brought differentiation between service and local pride.
The German example of the ICE (Intercity Express) fleet is nationwide, there are some DB (red trains) regional services, but also a wide range of liveries for various areas.
Perhaps at a time the railway is struggling with reliability and reputation (I find myself getting an unprecedented level of of criticism when I post about day out opportunities) the time for a rebranding is as things get sorted out. In the last six months, we have been moving towards that on the TransWilts and a new brand might give a new start opportunity.
| GBR and 'Brand strategy' Posted by Mark A at 12:50, 6th July 2026 | |
An engaging read on the branding of rail services, including comparisions with practices elsewhere in Europe.
Mark
https://www.freewheeling.info/blog/gbr-needs-a-brand-strategy
