Avanti West Coast rebrand

[Energy]

As an aside, I keep hearing mention of this comparison to South Western Railways and yet I've never been able to see anything that relates to SWR. Can someone enlighten me please?

They have a very similar website, so similar that the icon for the tab is still the SWR logo.

 

[Bletchleyite]

They have a very similar website, so similar that the icon for the tab is still the SWR logo.

It's not for me, I see the Avanti triangle.

 

[Energy]

It's not for me, I see the Avanti triangle.

My phone still sees it as the SWR logo although my computer sees it as the avanti triangle.

 

[221101 Voyager]

Here's 390119 on it's first offcial service passing Wolverton on 1H14 0900 London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly. This is the UK’s first fully wrapped Pride train entirely staffed by an LGBTQ+ crew.

Billed as the biggest Pride flag the UK has seen on the side of a train, the 11-carriage, 265 metre-long train will be waved off by Avanti West Coast staff and members of the LGBTQ+ community at Euston and will be welcomed in at Manchester Piccadilly station later today (Tuesday 25 August 2020).

https://flic.kr/p/2jzUqvF

Shot of Front of train

Shot of Rear of train

390119 at Wolverton | 25/8/20

On it's first offcial service 390119 passes Wolverton on 1H14 0900 London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly. This is the UK’s first fully wrapped Pride train entirely staffed by an LGBTQ+ crew. Billed as the biggest Pride flag the UK has seen on the side of a train, the 11-carriage, 265...

flic.kr

 

[WestRiding]

Its certainly colourful. Looks like Grafiti. British Rail Blue used to look soooooo neat and tidy.

 

[Ianno87]

British Rail Blue used to look soooooo neat and tidy.

Bloody boring though.

 

[The_Train]

It's not for me, I see the Avanti triangle.

And me and thats both mobile and desktop.

I guess it stems from an outside company who have produced the websites for both Avanti and SWR and have used the SWR version as a template for the Avanti site - failing to change the logo in the process.

 

[thenorthern]

You may have seen this in the news

Avanti West Coast to launch UK’s first Pride train entirely staffed by an LGBTQ+ crew

Avanti West Coast is launching the UK’s first fully wrapped Pride train entirely staffed by an LGBTQ+ crew for its first official service.

After Covid-19 forced the cancellation of Pride events across the country, which Avanti West Coast had planned to support, the intercity rail operator has completely wrapped one of its iconic Pendolinos with the progressive Pride flag.

The train operator has adopted the most recent iteration of the Pride flag which sees the addition of the colours black, brown, light blue, pink and white to bring people of colour, transgender people and those living with or who have been lost to HIV/AIDS to the forefront highlighting Avanti West Coast’s progressive commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Billed as the biggest Pride flag the UK has seen on the side of a train, the 11-carriage, 265 metre-long train will be waved off by Avanti West Coast staff and members of the LGBTQ+ community at Euston and will be welcomed in at Manchester Piccadilly station on Tuesday 25 August.

Avanti West Coast launch UK’s first Pride train entirely staffed by LGBTQ+ crew | ITV News

Avanti West Coast is launching the UK’s first fully wrapped Pride train entirely staffed by an LGBTQ+ crew for its first official service.

www.itv.com

While rail companies normally celebrate Pride am I the only person who thinks deliberately having an all LGBT+ train crew goes a bit over the top? Not sure how it can comply with equality law.

Is this train going to be for a short period like the Traindeer or is it going to be permanent?

 

[DarloRich]

You may have seen this in the news



While rail companies normally celebrate Pride am I the only person who thinks deliberately having an all LGBT+ train crew goes a bit over the top? Not sure how it can comply with equality law.

Is this train going to be for a short period like the Traindeer or is it going to be permanent?

The article you link is clearly a bit of cheap and easy publicity. That this is a non issue will not stop silly people trying (and succeeding) to energise their silly supporters to do and say silly things on social media that will then be reported by other silly people as a fact. If having a rainbow coloured train upsets insecure and angry brexity types I say keep it for ever and ever.

It doesn't breach equality law because no one is being impacted. It is clearly a pre arranged PR stunt. They aren't saying that you must be LGBT to work on this train and/or only LGBT people may use this train. Surely that is obvious?

 

[yorkie]

While rail companies normally celebrate Pride am I the only person who thinks deliberately having an all LGBT+ train crew goes a bit over the top? Not sure how it can comply with equality law.

I don't think so, but the usual "IANAL" disclaimer applies.

I'd argue that, as staff were clearly not recruited for this purpose, giving staff who identify as LGBT priority on working this trains diagrams doesn't seem an unreasonable thing to do; also you have to consider this is promoting diversity, and no-one is losing out by doing this.

Having worked with children/young people who identify as LGBT, and seeing what this sort of thing means to them, I think some people are a bit out of touch with the modern world and things like this can help redress the balance. Of course nothing should go too far, but I don't think this does, in my opinion.

 

[Ianno87]

You may have seen this in the news



While rail companies normally celebrate Pride am I the only person who thinks deliberately having an all LGBT+ train crew goes a bit over the top? Not sure how it can comply with equality law.

Is this train going to be for a short period like the Traindeer or is it going to be permanent?

Literally using a fully LGBT+ crew a one-off for one journey only for the launch.

LNER did the same thing with female crew for the launch of the "Flying Scotswoman" for Women in Rail day.

No issue whatsoever with equality law.

Just a great promotion for the diverse industry that rail is.

 

[cjs11]

Avanti West Coast go full train livery with fabulous Pride Pendolino...
https://twitter.com/AvantiWestCoast/status/1298158442075639818?s=20

Introducing our Pride train

We are proud and excited to show off our colours as our Pride train officially launches. The train will be a permanent part of our fleet and is just the beginning of our commitment to diversity and inclusion
❤ #LiveProud

 

[JaJaWa]

Avanti West Coast to launch UK’s first Pride train entirely staffed by an LGBTQ+ crew

Tuesday 25 August 2020, 1:01pm

Avanti West Coast is launching the UK’s first fully wrapped Pride train entirely staffed by an LGBTQ+ crew for its first official service.

After Covid-19 forced the cancellation of Pride events across the country, which Avanti West Coast had planned to support, the intercity rail operator has completely wrapped one of its iconic Pendolinos with the progressive Pride flag.

The train operator has adopted the most recent iteration of the Pride flag which sees the addition of the colours black, brown, light blue, pink and white to bring people of colour, transgender people and those living with or who have been lost to HIV/AIDS to the forefront highlighting Avanti West Coast’s progressive commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Billed as the biggest Pride flag the UK has seen on the side of a train, the 11-carriage, 265 metre-long train will be waved off by Avanti West Coast staff and members of the LGBTQ+ community at Euston and will be welcomed in at Manchester Piccadilly station on Tuesday 25 August.

Discussing how Pride means more for the diversity and inclusion of people up and down the West Coast Main Line, Avanti West Coast Executive Director – Commercial, Sarah Copley said:

"I’m delighted to be launching our new Avanti West Coast Pride Train which represents everyone in the LGBTQ+ community. It is a symbol of our commitment to diversity and inclusion as it travels up and down the West Coast Main Line. We Live Proud 365 days a year, not just today."

She continued: “I am so proud to be a part of a business where our people represent the communities we serve.
We are always listening to our people and customers to ensure our diversity and inclusion strategy is relevant. Our new train livery is a powerful example of keeping the conversation going”.

How do I submit a name for the train?

As the livery will become a permanent part of Avanti West Coast’s full fleet, the LGBTQ+ community will also have the opportunity to name the train. A competition will be launched on Tuesday (August 25) calling for entries to be submitted via its website with the winning name announced in October.

Source: https://www.itv.com/news/granada/20...pride-train-entirely-staffed-by-an-lgbtq-crew

Interesting to see it's a "permanent" livery.

Edit: my post was moved into this thread that's why I quoted the article again!

 

[thenorthern]

Literally using a fully LGBT+ crew a one-off for one journey only for the launch.

LNER did the same thing with female crew for the launch of the "Flying Scotswoman" for Women in Rail day.

No issue whatsoever with equality law.

Just a great promotion for the diverse industry that rail is.

I didn't realise it was a one off the article didn't mention that.

The article you link is clearly a bit of cheap and easy publicity. That this is a non issue will not stop silly people trying (and succeeding) to energise their silly supporters to do and say silly things on social media that will then be reported by other silly people as a fact. If having a rainbow coloured train upsets insecure and angry brexity types I say keep it for ever and ever.

I do object to you claiming that the Homophobic people are " insecure and angry brexity types "

 

[DarloRich]

I didn't realise it was a one off the article didn't mention that.

Did you really think that only LGBT people would be allowed to work on this train? The article doesn't need to mention it because it is fairly obvious!

 

[Alex27]

I am part of the LGBTQ+ community myself, and as much as I like the representation, it does make one wonder if Avanti have actually donated to any charities (such as stonewall) or the like (if they have then good on them), or whether they just wanted some PR... As to the LGBTQ+ train crew, again I like the representation, but look forward to the day this is not news

 

[DarloRich]

I am part of the LGBTQ+ community myself, and as much as I like the representation, it does make one wonder if Avanti have actually donated to any charities (such as stonewall) or the like (if they have then good on them), or whether they just wanted some PR... As to the LGBTQ+ train crew, again I like the representation, but look forward to the day this is not news

I hope they did make a donation to a suitable charity. In any event it is just good and easy PR for them. They are also having a competition to suggest a name for the train via their social media accounts.

I am not a member of the LGBTQ+ ( that is a lot of letters now!) community and am the straightest, whitest man you will ever find but agree with your final sentence. It really shouldn't need to be a thing these days.

 

[TheManWho]

I am part of the LGBTQ+ community myself, and as much as I like the representation, it does make one wonder if Avanti have actually donated to any charities (such as stonewall) or the like (if they have then good on them), or whether they just wanted some PR... As to the LGBTQ+ train crew, again I like the representation, but look forward to the day this is not news

one day it will not be news, just the same as a celebrity or sportsperson will be able to be in a relationship with someone of the same gender and not have to be "outed" by The Sun. Unfortunately, as you and I both know, representation and eve "PR stunts" for pride and equality are needed until that day comes.

Back to subject- great livery, great for it to have a massive amount of publicity. Happy it's upset many on Twitter who may now have to walk to Manchester because they're not going to travel on it

 

[Mollman]

One of the major issues with Pride etc for companies is that they have to be careful to cover other areas to and where do you draw the line between promoting diversity and supporting a political cause? Will we get a Black Lives Matter train crewed entirely by BAME staff?

 

[geoffk]

We should have had standard National Rail signage on all stations from the start of privatisation as all this rebranding is a waste of money. And franchising is almost certainly dead now anyway.

 

[Ianno87]

We should have had standard National Rail signage on all stations from the start of privatisation as all this rebranding is a waste of money. And franchising is almost certainly dead now anyway.

If BR still existed today, they would certainly have come up with a Pride version of their various liveries.

 

[yorkie]

Can we stay on topic please

And if anyone wants to post any suggestions, don't forget to post these in the Speculative Ideas section.

Thanks.

 

[GlitterUnicorn]

The train crew thing is a non-issue. It's a voluntary measure that also shows a lot of support for LGBT crews.

One of the major issues with Pride etc for companies is that they have to be careful to cover other areas to and where do you draw the line between promoting diversity and supporting a political cause? Will we get a Black Lives Matter train crewed entirely by BAME staff?

Everything can be political if you want to make it political. There are political organisations who's sole purpose are to delegitimise and attack LGBT people, and attempt to roll back acceptance. I'm sure they'll be angry about this.

Thing is, as a society we have embraced LGBT equality (and racial equality). While once unthinkable, today you'll see the Police, army and civil service actively participating in pride events. In the eyes of most reasonable people it's not something that's contested anymore.

But even to the extent that LGBT rights are contested it's still admirable for a company to stand up for them. The variant of the pride flag used by Avanti has pink and blue bars representing the trans community. Trans rights have been under attack in recent years for various reasons and it would perhaps have been easier for Avanti not to reference them. Yet they did.

Likewise with racism, while it remains far too prevalent, as a society we stand against it. Opposing racism isn't controversial outside of the very fringes of politics. I can't see how a livery supporting racial equality would be too political?

 

[Alex27]

The train crew thing is a non-issue. It's a voluntary measure that also shows a lot of support for LGBT crews.

Everything can be political if you want to make it political. There are political organisations who's sole purpose are to delegitimise and attack LGBT people, and attempt to roll back acceptance. I'm sure they'll be angry about this.

Thing is, as a society we have embraced LGBT equality (and racial equality). While once unthinkable, today you'll see the Police, army and civil service actively participating in pride events. In the eyes of most reasonable people it's not something that's contested anymore.

But even to the extent that LGBT rights are contested it's still admirable for a company to stand up for them. The variant of the pride flag used by Avanti has pink and blue bars representing the trans community. Trans rights have been under attack in recent years for various reasons and it would perhaps have been easier for Avanti not to reference them. Yet they did.

Likewise with racism, while it remains far too prevalent, as a society we stand against it. Opposing racism isn't controversial outside of the very fringes of politics. I can't see how a livery supporting racial equality would be too political?

Hear hear

 

[PR1Berske]

In the lifetime of many members of this forum, the UK has moved from criminalising homosexual acts, to being able to launch such an audacious pro-equality, pro-LGBT+, openly celebratory Pride vehicle without violence, without fear, without harm.

There are countries where homosexual acts carry the death penalty. Let us celebrate that the UK is, broadly, welcoming, open, and democratic enough to have Avanti design and run this livery with such open minded joy.

This has been, and will be, an awful year. Let Pride shine its light.

 

[Ryry]

Here a link to the pride branding

Pride here is a link to the pride branding

 

[HowardGWR]

It looks better than the NHS vinyls on the GWR train, at least, at distance. Close up, both look like graffiti and close up is how most pax will see them. I would have thought something plainer would be more effective.

Interesting video though, on how these vinyls are applied, thanks.

 

[XAM2175]

Close up, both look like graffiti and close up is how most pax will see them

Are you quite sure about that? I see some pretty marked differences in style between this design and the kind of spray-on muck I usually consider to be graffiti...

 

[thenorthern]

Regarding Black Lives Matter the subject would be too controversial at the moment in the United Kingdom. Black Lives Matter had a golden goose as many thinks such as the Premier League were supporting them. Then Black Lives Matter UK made some remarks on Twitter that were seen as antisemitic and a lot of organisations started to disassociate themselves with it. It's now seen by some as controversial.

Generally a rail company will not allow controversial symbols and rightly so because it would cost them business. I know a South West Trains suspended an employee for writing "Vote Out" on a dot matrix display. While "RMT" badges are allowed for staff I doubt political party badged would be allowed.

 

[py_megapixel]

They seem to have fixed the logo now:


Regards the "original" Avanti WC livery - I didn't like it at first. But, having seen it on a Pendolino crossing a bridge at a high speed, I really think it looks rather impressive when you see it in motion, and I really like it.