Train passengers across Essex will soon begin noticing one of the biggest changes to the region’s railway in years, and it is not just a new name or fresh paintwork.
One of the most significant practical changes is that Greater Anglia’s modern Class 720 trains have now been approved to operate on the c2c network, giving the railway much greater flexibility when trains are unavailable or services are disrupted.
The move means trains can be shared more easily between the two operators, helping railway teams respond more effectively to faults, maintenance, major events and unexpected disruption. It is expected to improve resilience across both fleets and reduce the impact when trains have to be taken out of service.
The operational change comes as c2c and Greater Anglia begin a new chapter under the Great British Railways Anglia identity, known as GBR Anglia.
The first trains carrying the new branding were officially unveiled at London Liverpool Street station on 16 July, marking a major milestone in plans to create what railway leaders say will be a simpler, more joined-up railway across the East of England.
Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy joined GBR Anglia Managing Director Jamie Burles, alongside colleagues from c2c, Greater Anglia and Network Rail Anglia, for the launch.
The trains on display included c2c Class 357 units 357008 and 357020, together with Greater Anglia Class 720 units 720144 and 720501, all featuring the new red, white and blue GBR Anglia branding.
The rebrand is more than a cosmetic change. GBR Anglia brings together c2c, Greater Anglia and Network Rail Anglia under a single leadership team, with the aim of aligning track and train more closely to improve reliability, resilience and customer service.
Railway bosses say the new structure will allow clearer accountability, quicker decision-making and better coordination across the network, while helping services recover more quickly when disruption occurs.
The transition will happen gradually rather than overnight.
Further Class 357 trains will receive the new livery as they pass through c2c’s existing repainting and planned maintenance programme, helping deliver the change efficiently while keeping disruption to passengers to a minimum.
Across the wider fleet, existing c2c and Greater Anglia logos will gradually be replaced by GBR Anglia branding. The new identity will also begin appearing on station signs, wayfinding, staff materials and customer communications.
For some time, passengers should expect to see a mixture of GBR Anglia, c2c and Greater Anglia branding across the region while the transition continues.
Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy said: “Track and train are two sides of the same coin but for too long they operated independently of each other, with passengers and taxpayers left to bear the consequences.
“By uniting track and train under one identity and leadership in Anglia, we’re creating a more reliable service that will put passengers first. It’s all part of our plan to deliver the biggest reform of our railways in a generation, creating more, growth, jobs and homes as we work to set up Great British Railways.”
Jamie Burles, Managing Director of GBR Anglia, said: “Seeing the first GBR Anglia trains together at London Liverpool Street is a proud moment and a clear sign of the railway we are building. More importantly, the new identity reflects c2c, Greater Anglia and Network Rail Anglia increasingly planning and delivering as one railway.
“We are already creating greater flexibility across our train fleets, planning major events more effectively and using closer track-and-train working to trial new services for customers.
“There is much more to do, but we have made a strong start. Our focus is on turning that progress into better journeys and a more reliable, responsive and efficient railway for everyone who depends on us.”
The rebranding forms part of the wider rollout of Great British Railways, which aims to bring train operators and infrastructure under a more unified system after years of separate management.