Today, Govia Thameslink Railway unveils a special edition train emblazoned with a rainbow livery ahead of the upcoming Brighton & Hove Pride.
Designed by a GTR apprentice from South Croyden, the striking makeover of the Thameslink Class 700 train, celebrates the rail company's thriving LGBT+ community.
the 12 carriage train was given its new look in recent weeks at Hornsey depot in North London in a team effort featuring colleagues from branding, fleet and engineering. The GTR colleagues dubbed the train “Trainbow”.
It is to be a part of the Thameslink fleet operating an enhanced service for hundreds of thousands of revellers travelling to and from Pride. Which is now just two weeks away on 2-4 August, as well as pride this weekend is the seaside city's busiest weekend of the year.
The rainbow design is tp also be used on merchandise along with GTR's first-ever float in the Pride parade which will carry members of the company's LGBT+ network.
The float is accompanied by GTR's Pride motto: “Our people bring out our best colours”.
GTR's LGBT+ network is made up of colleagues and advocates from departments all across the organisation.
Serving as a support and social network as well as making plans for Pride have topped the agenda at recent meetings.
GTR, which runs Southern, Thameslink and Gatwick Express services out of Brighton, is now preparing for their enhanced rail service that will occur during Pride. Services will be running late into the night on Saturday evening in order to help get visitors to their homes.
Due to months of planning with event organisers, Sussex Police, Brighton & Hove City Council and other local partners, there is able to be additional and longer services throughout the weekend.
An enhanced “rainbow” queuing system will filter passengers leaving the city into the correct queue for their train before they get to the station.
What did the officials have to say?
Maggie Luckhurst, 21, GTR's Design and Content Apprentice and a member of its LGBT+ network, said:
“This was a really special project to work on for me, and I'm grateful that I got to work alongside many other fantastic people in the company. I've always had a huge interest in the railways, so to be able to combine that with my creativity in this job has been a dream. I'll be keeping an eye out for this train on my commute.”
“Whether you're a member of the LGBT+ community or not, I hope that the train brings joy to everyone who sees it and that it also raises awareness of LGBT+ issues.”
Stuart Meek, Train Services Director and chair of GTR's LGBT+ network, said:
“We are absolutely delighted to see the train out in passenger service. This symbol of support shows how everyone is welcome on our services and celebrates our LGBT+ colleagues.”
Paul Kemp, Managing Director of Brighton & Hove Pride 2019, said:
“We're thrilled by the new train design, in support of GTR's LGBT+ colleagues for Brighton & Hove Pride and hope that visitors to the city enjoy travelling to Pride by it!
“The creative is a great visual reminder of the importance of Pride and LGBT+ and allies standing together to celebrate and defend the progress that has been made by the LGBT+ community. It also symbolises our positive working partnership with GTR in making sure travellers can get to and from the city over Pride weekend.”
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The Class 700 with the Trainbow pride livery does look bit better.