Stations rebranded to Great British Railways design / Rail Alphabet 2

[ainsworth74]

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?

I recommend avoiding Yarm in that case if you're concerned about excessive supports for station signs!



(Used to be even worse as a previous incarnation was just the word "Yarm" without the TPE branding on the right hand side!!)

Photo not mine, source ASD Lighting here.

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

Yes! Having seen them for real now on the S&C I think the new signs are actually really good but are in desperate need of a splash of colour as probably a bar on the bottom or via a logo such as the double arrow. But if you added that I think they're very good and a significant improvement on some TOC efforts.

 

[Crosslinker]

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

Clapham Junction was transferred to become a Network Rail managed station... https://www.networkrail.co.uk/communities/passengers/our-stations/clapham-junction/

 

[Goldfish62]

Clapham Junction was transferred to become a Network Rail managed station... https://www.networkrail.co.uk/communities/passengers/our-stations/clapham-junction/

Correct. I know that, but that wasn't the point I was making.

The point was that NR signage was installed after NR moved to adopt "GBR" signage standards. The reason for this has been explained in a subsequent post.

 

[Peter Sarf]

Conspiracy theory.

When Network Rail started rolling out their new signs the government realised it was a lost opportunity to capitalise on the cost of "re-branding" so dreamt up a new entity called GBR.

I'll get my coat !.

 

[JaJaWa]

Conspiracy theory.

When Network Rail started rolling out their new signs the government realised it was a lost opportunity to capitalise on the cost of "re-branding" so dreamt up a new entity called GBR.

I'll get my coat !.

Peter Hendy is behind both of them I believe

 

[Sm5]

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.

Apologies missed this…

Belmont station, a few weeks ago it had all southern Signage on the platform lampposts.

Last week (and still today) its all missing, aside of the street entry signs.
Was wondering if it was an alphabetical order thing, as Sutton ontowards London still have signs.

I was going to look at Banstead too when filming RHTT trains at 1am ish..but that station is a little “rural” for that hour.

 

[Legolash2o]

Not sure if it's been mentioned. Broomfleet and Ferriby on the Hull line have the new signs.

 

[JaJaWa]

Durham (LNER)

“Some new #RailAlphabet2 in situ at Durham; can’t argue that it is clear and sharp...”


Source:

https://twitter.com/_doublearrow/status/1450796523265081350?s=21

 

[Bletchleyite]

And not very straight!

(Or is the fence off level and it's been done with a spirit level?)

 

[py_megapixel]

The big arrows remind me of Ikea. That's not a bad thing though, as their wayfinding is usually quite good (especially compared to other big shops!)

 

[GatwickDepress]

Durham (LNER)

“Some new #RailAlphabet2 in situ at Durham; can’t argue that it is clear and sharp...”

View attachment 104331
Source:

https://twitter.com/_doublearrow/status/1450796523265081350?s=21

Clear and concise. I like it.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Clear and concise. I like it.

It's certainly clear, though I do think a thin red or blue band at the top or bottom (or both) would make a world of difference to how good it looks without in any way affecting that.

 

[nlogax]

Is the Durham effort a temporary panel or sticker?

 

[Peter Sarf]

And not very straight!

(Or is the fence off level and it's been done with a spirit level?)

You are correct the barrier is on a slope. Must be because, on a second look, I note the posts are in line with the sides of the sign so I guess posts are vertical.

Looks nice and clear. Well until someone stands in front of it !. Incidentally has anyone noticed on stations that sometimes the information is obscured by another sign nearby. Why not put one sign above the other thus saving on posts or brackets.

 

[thomalex]

Durham (LNER)

“Some new #RailAlphabet2 in situ at Durham; can’t argue that it is clear and sharp...”

View attachment 104331
Source:

https://twitter.com/_doublearrow/status/1450796523265081350?s=21

Very nice. It’s going to take time but once we start to get this is the majority of stations it’s going to be lovely having a cohesive look across the network.

 

[Christmas]

It's certainly clear, though I do think a thin red or blue band at the top or bottom (or both) would make a world of difference to how good it looks without in any way affecting that.

I'm in total agreement and I would be astonished if someone from the "powers that be" doesn't observe this forum.

 

[NoMorePacers]

Not sure if it's been mentioned. Broomfleet and Ferriby on the Hull line have the new signs.

I've noticed them at Hessle, Gilberdyke, Saltmarshe and Goole too.

 

[XAM2175]

I'm in total agreement and I would be astonished if someone from the "powers that be" doesn't observe this forum.

They can't risk establishing the precedent that moaning achieves results

 

[TUC]

Latest: GBR Signage Tracker https://gbrsignage.glide.page​

As various Northern stations have begun their rebrand to the Great British Railways design / Rail Alphabet 2, we may need a new thread to keep track of this.

Examples I've found on Twitter of rebranded platform signs so far are (linked):

• Appleby
• Church Fenton
• Dent (pic)
• Lazonby & Kirkoswald
• Poppleton (pic)
• Ribblehead (pic)
• Sherburn-In-Elmet
• South Milford (pic)

Paddington is confirmed as the first 'major station' to get the new signs. Northern's new timetable also uses the font.

They look like what I'd unfortunately expect from the public sector. Cheap, unimaginative and soulless.

 

[Rikki Lamb]

They look like what I'd unfortunately expect from the public sector. Cheap, unimaginative and soulless.

I disagree, it is exactly what the signage should be - clear, concise and to the point.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I disagree, it is exactly what the signage should be - clear, concise and to the point.

Which it can be with a splash of colour.

 

[py_megapixel]

This is an extremely circular argument.

While a splash of colour would be nice, I'm yet to hear any non-enthusiast person I've talked to complain about the signs... they're serving their purpose fine.

 

[thomalex]

Which it can be with a splash of colour.

As we've now seen at Coventry, new permanent signage will include the double arrow in red

 

[Horizon22]

It's certainly clear, though I do think a thin red or blue band at the top or bottom (or both) would make a world of difference to how good it looks without in any way affecting that.

I agree. A tiny splash of colour or a small logo (even in B&W) on some of these signs wouldn't hurt at all.

 

[BrianW]

I agree. A tiny splash of colour or a small logo (even in B&W) on some of these signs wouldn't hurt at all.

Any advocates for chocolate-and-cream (in appropriate locations of course!)

As we've now seen at Coventry, new permanent signage will include the double arrow in red

Hoping the seats and yellow lines on the platforms got Listed Building Consent:

COVENTRY STATION, INCLUDING ATTACHED PLATFORM STRUCTURES, Non Civil Parish - 1242849 | Historic England

List entry 1242849. Grade II Listed Building: Coventry Station, Including Attached Platform Structures. May include summary, reasons for designation and history.

historicengland.org.uk

 

[Bletchleyite]

As we've now seen at Coventry, new permanent signage will include the double arrow in red

Only the platform signs, not the directional ones. I would go with a red or blue strip at the top and/or bottom, like BR did for IC stations.

 

[Domh245]

I'm also curious as to what effect the double arrow has on readability. Whilst I doubt they'd put it on if it had a significant negative impact, it can't help matters, surely? Certainly can't be better than a plain stripe at an edge?

 

[py_megapixel]

The fitters of new signs vinyl coverings to Northern stations seem to be carefully skirting around the Greater Manchester area, stopping at Handforth, Poynton and Ashley. Is this a deliberate decision for some reason?

It's a shame - the ones in GM look particularly tatty, as in addition to being old and grubby they have the outdated GMPTE logo when it should be TfGM.
Is there anywhere in GM that has the new design?

 

[Tio Terry]

Any advocates for chocolate-and-cream (in appropriate locations of course!)

Hoping the seats and yellow lines on the platforms got Listed Building Consent:

COVENTRY STATION, INCLUDING ATTACHED PLATFORM STRUCTURES, Non Civil Parish - 1242849 | Historic England

List entry 1242849. Grade II Listed Building: Coventry Station, Including Attached Platform Structures. May include summary, reasons for designation and history.

historicengland.org.uk

I can't speak for Coventry specifically but with other projects there has been no issues with yellow lines or tactile paving being added to platforms because they are safety features. Sometimes it's only the buildings that are Listed, the platforms are not included.

 

[jonnyfan]

The fitters of new signs vinyl coverings to Northern stations seem to be carefully skirting around the Greater Manchester area, stopping at Handforth, Poynton and Ashley. Is this a deliberate decision for some reason?

It's a shame - the ones in GM look particularly tatty, as in addition to being old and grubby they have the outdated GMPTE logo when it should be TfGM.
Is there anywhere in GM that has the new design?

There have been two that I've seen, Trafford Park and Heald Green have had the new vinyls. No TfGM logo on them, just the same as all the other Northern examples.