Stations rebranded to Great British Railways design / Rail Alphabet 2

[Goldfish62]

I'm all for national standardisation of signage. It should never have been allowed to get to where it is today. However, is this the best that anyone can come up with? An apologetic, anaemic version of a 1960s design. A design that for anyone middle aged plus is a reminder of a dismal period for Britain's railways.

I don't understand the sudden rush. Surely it would have been better for GBR to be set up to give it a chance to develop and adopt its own design standards.

Personally I'd have preferred adoption of Network Rail signage, which I think looks modern, clear and smart.

 

[physics34]

I'm all for national standardisation of signage. It should never have been allowed to get to where it is today. However, is this the best that anyone can come up with? An apologetic, anaemic version of a 1960s design. A design that for anyone middle aged plus is a reminder of a dismal period for Britain's railways.

I don't understand the sudden rush. Surely it would have been better for GBR to be set up to give it a chance to develop and adopt its own design standards.

Personally I'd have preferred adoption of Network Rail signage, which I think looks modern, clear and smart.

BR certainly had its good times too.

I agree it should be bolder....which means 'Rail Alphabet' as we remember it. Apart from that, its clear and does the job.

 

[ABB125]

I happened to be at Coventry for about 5 minutes just now. Here are some pictures of the signage.

This is what the old signage looks like:


Here are some general shots of the new signage. You can also make a comparison with the temporary signage installed for the building work:


Some close-ups:


Personally I'm not convinced that the station name boards need three support columns, each with three fixings, but maybe the signs are really heavy? In which case, why not make them lighter? At first glance this seems like an area where money could have been saved:


Similarly, this sign seems to have a lot of wasted space (though there may be more on the other side which can't be seen):


Finally, this is the sign at the bottom of the stairs. Personally, I think it would benefit from some arrows:

 

[HarryL]

Very nice. Who would have thought Avanti would be the first to get the new signage spot on, Northerns attempt has been shown up here.

I'm all for national standardisation of signage. It should never have been allowed to get to where it is today. However, is this the best that anyone can come up with? An apologetic, anaemic version of a 1960s design. A design that for anyone middle aged plus is a reminder of a dismal period for Britain's railways.

I don't understand the sudden rush. Surely it would have been better for GBR to be set up to give it a chance to develop and adopt its own design standards.

Personally I'd have preferred adoption of Network Rail signage, which I think looks modern, clear and smart.

This signage technically isn't for GBR, it was started by Network Rail back around 2018, long before GBR was conceived. The signage and everything would have still happened even if GBR hadn't, Network Rail was intended to fade into a background brand with more focus on the double arrow and no TOC branded signs. It just so happens that covid happened and collapsed the franchising model in a way that coincided with this.

 

[Goldfish62]

This signage technically isn't for GBR, it was started by Network Rail back around 2018, long before GBR was conceived. The signage and everything would have still happened even if GBR hadn't, Network Rail was intended to fade into a background brand with more focus on the double arrow and no TOC branded signs. It just so happens that covid happened and collapsed the franchising model in a way that coincided with this.

Yet the signage at Clapham Junction, previously to SWT style was updated only last year to Network Rail style.

 

[HarryL]

Yet the signage at Clapham Junction, previously to SWT style was updated only last year to Network Rail style.

It only started being developed around 2018, took until late last year to be at a stage where they were ready to do the first public showcases at the Design Museum and until earlier this year to allow it to start to be rolled out to stations. Network Rail are doing a rolling process of replacing the old signage in their stations too, bits and pieces are making their way into Euston and Paddington will be resigned completely when Crossrails ready to go.

 

[swt_passenger]

I’m still not convinced you need the red “arrows of indecision” once you‘re actually on a platform, (or viewing from a train window), unless there’s a requirement to differentiate between adjacent service groups on nearby platforms, say mainline train and tram, or mainline train and underground. AFAICS theres no scope for confusion within Coventry station.

 

[Goldfish62]

It only started being developed around 2018, took until late last year to be at a stage where they were ready to do the first public showcases at the Design Museum and until earlier this year to allow it to start to be rolled out to stations. Network Rail are doing a rolling process of replacing the old signage in their stations too, bits and pieces are making their way into Euston and Paddington will be resigned completely when Crossrails ready to go.

Ah right, got it. Thanks.

I’m still not convinced you need the red “arrows of indecision” once you‘re actually on a platform, (or viewing from a train window), unless there’s a requirement to differentiate between adjacent service groups on nearby platforms, say mainline train and tram, or mainline train and underground. AFAICS theres no scope for confusion within Coventry station.

Although it does add a touch of colour to what is otherwise very bland signage.

 

[bnc2018]

I happened to be at Coventry for about 5 minutes just now. Here are some pictures of the signage.

This is what the old signage looks like:
View attachment 104131View attachment 104132

Here are some general shots of the new signage. You can also make a comparison with the temporary signage installed for the building work:
View attachment 104133View attachment 104134View attachment 104135

Some close-ups:
View attachment 104136View attachment 104140

Personally I'm not convinced that the station name boards need three support columns, each with three fixings, but maybe the signs are really heavy? In which case, why not make them lighter? At first glance this seems like an area where money could have been saved:
View attachment 104139

Similarly, this sign seems to have a lot of wasted space (though there may be more on the other side which can't be seen):
View attachment 104137

Finally, this is the sign at the bottom of the stairs. Personally, I think it would benefit from some arrows:
View attachment 104138

Is this the closest example we've seen of signage that actually conforms to the NR wayfinding document? Namely the double arrow in front of the station.

Having said that, looking at the spec in #466, it seems the arrows look a little too small - the Platforms 1,4 and way out arrow seems like it should be a bit bigger. Also it may be just me but I think Platforms 1 and 4 seems more natural than Platforms 1, 4.

 

[Gareth]

It's part of the brand. I'm glad it's there.

The sign could do with a outline of some kind though. White signs without outlines look kinda weird to me.

 

[thomalex]

Very nice and confirms that design guidelines released earlier in the year are the ones being implemented. Northern's attempt is some sort of temporary half way house.

 

[the sniper]

White signs without outlines look kinda weird to me.

It's certainly not a style most other railways around the world have gone for in recent decades. I suppose you could at least argue it's now a fairly unique design on that basis...

 

[Bletchleyite]

The double arrow does add a splash of colour, to be fair to it.

 

[Sm5]

Whats happening with the old signage ?

any chance for collectors to buy ?

AFAIK Guildford has a stylised G, but I can’t find an image at the moment.

I’m curious as to how the ‘London fare zone’ signs would be rebranded…

(Image of a station board(?) at Tolworth)

Might find out in a day or two, a station local to me had all its “Southern” signs removed, so I assume the new signs are coming.

 

[physics34]

Whats happening with the old signage ?

any chance for collectors to buy ?


Might find out in a day or two, a station local to me had all its “Southern” signs removed, so I assume the new signs are coming.

You cant just leave it there without telling us which station?! Lol

 

[tomuk]

Some close-ups:
View attachment 104136View attachment 104140

The name boards look like something from a film/tv show. Like Wakefield pretending to be Denton in a Touch of Frost

 

[Noddy]

Some close-ups:
View attachment 104136View attachment 104140

Personally I'm not convinced that the station name boards need three support columns, each with three fixings, but maybe the signs are really heavy? In which case, why not make them lighter? At first glance this seems like an area where money could have been saved

Presumably it’s not weight that’s the issue but the nature of what they could attach it to in ?roof, along with the potential exposure to strong winds causing twisting.

 

[Goldfish62]

Whats happening with the old signage ?

any chance for collectors to buy ?


Might find out in a day or two, a station local to me had all its “Southern” signs removed, so I assume the new signs are coming.

Did the signs need replacing?

 

[nlogax]

Still unsure about the Coventry installation. The double arrows on the platform boards as per the guidelines are a welcome splash of colour but those flimsy new signs and the lighter weight typeface already look a bit lost against the busy station infrastructure behind them.

 

[ScottGallagher]

Just travelling up the Cumbrian Coast from Millom to Carlisle. Nothing has been GBR'd (northern way) south of Sellafield to Lancaster but I've noticed, Nethertwown, Harrington, Flimby Maryport, Aspatria, Wigton and Dalston.




Since my last visit in June temporary style platform number signs have also been randomly tacked up on platform fences and walls along the route. I always thought it odd that most of the stations didn't ever have them!

 

[Chiltern006]

the off-centreness of that is well annoying

 

[ScottGallagher]

the off-centreness of that is well annoying

I'll try and get one of the other one I saw.at Dalston completely bent out of shape and dented but still vinyled over!

Edit

 

[physics34]

the off-centreness of that is well annoying

Yep, the OCD is hurting lol

 

[CJ]

Not sure if it's already been mentioned but can report the following Northern stations now have RA2/GBR'd:

- Sandbach
- Holmes Chapel
- Goostrey
- Alderley Edge
- Handforth

 

[Hb06_]

Coventry (Avanti West Coast) has new signs, complete with the intended double arrows (possibly confirming that the logo won’t be modified by GBR).

Source: https://twitter.com/pettittemily/status/1449314204893208577?s=21View attachment 104126

I've seen these too. I have some contacts at Avanti West Coast - I'll see what they have to say.

The last time I was at Coventry with AWC, they told me they had to take their old branded signs down and put new ones in, in the old British Rail branding (red lines on top and bottom) because Coventry is a listed station, but they didn't realise until they rebranded the signage.

 

[haggishunter]

Anyone else think the three poles on that Coventry sign should have been black ? Looks like matching poles to sign’s background colour negates making the sign stand out from general station background - certainly in that case where there’s quite a bit of black behind already.

 

[tpjm]

Finally, this is the sign at the bottom of the stairs. Personally, I think it would benefit from some arrows:
View attachment 104138

This implementation is correct according to the guidelines document.

Having said that, looking at the spec in #466, it seems the arrows look a little too small - the Platforms 1,4 and way out arrow seems like it should be a bit bigger. Also it may be just me but I think Platforms 1 and 4 seems more natural than Platforms 1, 4.

They look alright to me.

From the guidelines document:

 

[Hb06_]

Hi all,

I've created a website that allows you to report when a station has received new signage. It's very simple and easy to use. I'm going to add some that I've seen, but if someone would like to go and find proof of stations that have got new signage, that would be great.

Some people have mentioned stations on this thread that have been given the GBR treatment, but there's no image of that annoyingly.

GBR Signage Tracker (glide.page)

Harry.

 

[OverSpeed]

There is something about the new signage that I find odd, but I can not think why that is so!

Just out of interest, when GBR is in full control, will the split regions have different signage, or will it be the same right across the land?

 

[Goldfish62]

Just out of interest, when GBR is in full control, will the split regions have different signage, or will it be the same right across the land?

Who can say? GBR is three years away yet and the current "new" signage being installed is being widely referred to on here as GBR even though it has been developed by Network Rail.