Modern Railways, April 1963 : towards a BR House Style
A page from an issue fo Modern Railways, the early 1960s editions of which, are great in charting what was then a rapidly changing world in the UK's public transport sector. From 1963 onwards much space was given not only to the impending rationalisations, both before and after Beeching, but also to the new and evolving "house style" of British Railways that was from 1965 badged as "British Rail" with the now famous double arrow logo. This work was initiated by the British Railways Board's Design Panel, that was also overseeing design detailing of rolling stock, and by the consultant designers, the Design Research Unit.
In February 1963 an exhibition "New Design for British Railways" was held at the Design Centre in London to show the 'new look' and to guage public reaction to logos, uniforms and liveries. Following the adoption of the new look a further exhibition would be held in 1965.
As well as the double arrow symbol, new typeface and new liveries for passenger rolling stock the Railway's freight division was not excluded. The DRU came up with the new 'freight arrow' symbol as seen here and this was complemented by new liveries for both rail and road vehicles - "a colourful range of reds, blues and yellows" as described by Brian Haresnape, the author of this article. They were intended to stand out, no longer to appear dowdy and blend in to the world of freight. Two photos show the familiar Scammell tractor and trailer so beloved of the railway and a rail mounted container. The third photo shows the new coding panels introduced across all types of wagon and units.
Modern Railways, April 1963 : towards a BR House Style
A page from an issue fo Modern Railways, the early 1960s editions of which, are great in charting what was then a rapidly changing world in the UK's public transport sector. From 1963 onwards much space was given not only to the impending rationalisations, both before and after Beeching, but also to the new and evolving "house style" of British Railways that was from 1965 badged as "British Rail" with the now famous double arrow logo. This work was initiated by the British Railways Board's Design Panel, that was also overseeing design detailing of rolling stock, and by the consultant designers, the Design Research Unit.
In February 1963 an exhibition "New Design for British Railways" was held at the Design Centre in London to show the 'new look' and to guage public reaction to logos, uniforms and liveries. Following the adoption of the new look a further exhibition would be held in 1965.
As well as the double arrow symbol, new typeface and new liveries for passenger rolling stock the Railway's freight division was not excluded. The DRU came up with the new 'freight arrow' symbol as seen here and this was complemented by new liveries for both rail and road vehicles - "a colourful range of reds, blues and yellows" as described by Brian Haresnape, the author of this article. They were intended to stand out, no longer to appear dowdy and blend in to the world of freight. Two photos show the familiar Scammell tractor and trailer so beloved of the railway and a rail mounted container. The third photo shows the new coding panels introduced across all types of wagon and units.