Northern Rail Station Branding

ScottGallagher · 1 Aug 2019

I've been travelling through Northern Land furness/cumbria/manchester several times a year for a while now and I can't help but notice that no noticeable station rebranding has taken place, the old serco signs with white tape taped over old northern logo live on over 3 years later.
Did new northern make a conscious decision to keep purple in their brand to avoid new signage and repainting stations (I don't mean i'm calling them cheapskates but you could be forgiven for not putting it past them)

I know its not a major deal to most passengers but other franchises taking over generally undertake the exercise early on.

Are plans afoot to do anything anywhere ever during the franchise? If anything has happened anywhere I apologise.

Cheers

RailUK Forums

NoMorePacers · 1 Aug 2019

I've seen a solitary new Northern sign at Church Fenton (as early as April), which is all white with purple text.

I've seen the stickers covering up the Serco logos have been coming off as well.

Mollman · 1 Aug 2019

It is depressing given the speed at which other TOCs seem to be able to re-brand trains and stations.

Djgr · 1 Aug 2019

Welcome to Northern-land

Bertie the bus · 1 Aug 2019

Mollman said:
It is depressing given the speed at which other TOCs seem to be able to re-brand trains and stations.

Maybe they've been concentrating their efforts on providing an excellent service.

NoMorePacers · 1 Aug 2019

Bertie the bus said:
Maybe they've been concentrating their efforts on providing an excellent service.

Oh wait...

xotGD · 1 Aug 2019

Mollman said:
It is depressing given the speed at which other TOCs seem to be able to re-brand trains and stations.

I find it more depressing that perfectly good signs are scrapped and replaced unnecessarily. As long as it displays the name of the station, that's all that is needed.

ScottGallagher · 1 Aug 2019

xotGD said:
I find it more depressing that perfectly good signs are scrapped and replaced unnecessarily. As long as it displays the name of the station, that's all that is needed.

I agree but in the case of Northern I thought a fresh look would at least give the impression things are supposedly meant to be improving, lots of places just look on the worn out side that's all.

Mollman · 1 Aug 2019

xotGD said:
I find it more depressing that perfectly good signs are scrapped and replaced unnecessarily. As long as it displays the name of the station, that's all that is needed.

I would have no problem with them keeping the existing signs, however it needs an operator name.

pdeaves · 1 Aug 2019

xotGD said:
I find it more depressing that perfectly good signs are scrapped and replaced unnecessarily. As long as it displays the name of the station, that's all that is needed.

Usually 'they' just put adhesive labels over the top of the old; the physical sign usually remains.

xotGD · 1 Aug 2019

Mollman said:
I would have no problem with them keeping the existing signs, however it needs an operator name.

No they don't, they just need the name of the station. Anything else is superfluous and distracting.

Darandio · 1 Aug 2019

Mollman said:
I would have no problem with them keeping the existing signs, however it needs an operator name.

I cannot see any genuine reason why an operator name is useful. There has been a cost cutting opportunity for years now with franchise changes to adopt a simple design bearing the station name only that doesn't need to be touched when a new operator arrives.

What use is there having the operator name on a sign when in many cases that operator doesn't even provide the most frequent service, or in some cases doesn't provide a service at all?

DarloRich · 1 Aug 2019

xotGD said:
No they don't, they just need the name of the station. Anything else is superfluous and distracting.

Darandio said:
I cannot see any genuine reason why an operator name is useful. There has been a cost cutting opportunity for years now with franchise changes to adopt a simple design bearing the station name only that doesn't need to be touched when a new operator arrives.

What use is there having the operator name on a sign when in many cases that operator doesn't even provide the most frequent service, or in some cases doesn't provide a service at all?

Agreed - simple clear typeface and colouring that is accessible to as many as possible is all that is needed

swt_passenger · 1 Aug 2019

DarloRich said:
Agreed - simple clear typeface and colouring that is accessible to as many as possible is all that is needed

Yes, SWT were one of the few TOCs to go with the suggested national standard “white on navy blue” for station name boards, and thankfully SWR haven’t changed it.

pdeaves · 1 Aug 2019

Darandio said:
What use is there having the operator name on a sign when in many cases that operator doesn't even provide the most frequent service, or in some cases doesn't provide a service at all?

I suppose one possible benefit is easy identification if you need to report something to the station operator.

Darandio · 1 Aug 2019

pdeaves said:
I suppose one possible benefit is easy identification if you need to report something to the station operator.

I'd suggest that there should already be adequate signage/posters other than the signage discussed, often with contact details as well.

js1000 · 1 Aug 2019

Mollman said:
It is depressing given the speed at which other TOCs seem to be able to re-brand trains and stations.

It's depressing the speed TOCs are keen to re-brand trains and stations - but less keen to implement good interior refurbishments (too many are just a 'deep clean') and tangible station improvements.

Mollman · 2 Aug 2019

pdeaves said:
I suppose one possible benefit is easy identification if you need to report something to the station operator.

Exactly

xotGD · 2 Aug 2019

Mollman said:
Exactly

I never realised that was the purpose of the station signage. I foolishly believed that it was there to inform passengers which station their train was arriving at.

If I needed contact details for the station operator I would look at the notice board.

Darandio · 2 Aug 2019

Mollman said:
Exactly

Nothing 'exactly' about it. Just unneccessary.

SteveM70 · 2 Aug 2019

Mollman said:
I would have no problem with them keeping the existing signs, however it needs an operator name.

Nonsense

There’s already a precedent - the signs on bridges refer to contacting “The Rail Authority” in the event of a bridge strike or other issue. They used to say Railtrack but after their demise somebody applied some common sense when the signs were updated and futureproofed them.

As others have said, there are noticeboards that can carry the operator’s brand name.

Camden · 3 Aug 2019

My understanding is that "Northern" as a brand is now intended to be a constant regardless of operator. This seems sensible to me, and personally I find it annoying when a new franchise is launched for all their trains and stations to undergo superficial costly makeovers, when the same rubbish service is being offered!! Much better that TOCs put their money into the things that matter, including setting money aside for proper refurbs where they become necessary.

Aictos · 3 Aug 2019

swt_passenger said:
Yes, SWT were one of the few TOCs to go with the suggested national standard “white on navy blue” for station name boards, and thankfully SWR haven’t changed it.

The only other one I was aware of was SouthEastern, although First Capital Connect did have a basic design but in reverse with a white background and blue text.

What other TOCs followed suit?

NoMorePacers · 3 Aug 2019

Aictos said:
The only other one I was aware of was SouthEastern, although First Capital Connect did have a basic design but in reverse with a white background and blue text.

What other TOCs followed suit?

Southern sort of did - although with a green background and white text instead of blue. Still fairly subtle though.

Llandudno · 3 Aug 2019

The ‘branding’ on signage is sloppy, just like many of the scruffy stations. Not to mention the unreliable and poorly programmed Station ticket machines.

Imagine McDonalds having such poor branding in their restaurants and their recently installed food ordering machines being regularly out of service and not programmed correctly to offer all their menu offerings?

Bertie the bus · 3 Aug 2019

Camden said:
My understanding is that "Northern" as a brand is now intended to be a constant regardless of operator. This seems sensible to me, and personally I find it annoying when a new franchise is launched for all their trains and stations to undergo superficial costly makeovers, when the same rubbish service is being offered!! Much better that TOCs put their money into the things that matter, including setting money aside for proper refurbs where they become necessary.

The brand, the livery and the logo are all supposed to be operator neutral and therefore continue when the franchise is re-let, which makes the points about the expense and waste of them being changed again moot.

Bantamzen · 4 Aug 2019

Llandudno said:
The ‘branding’ on signage is sloppy, just like many of the scruffy stations. Not to mention the unreliable and poorly programmed Station ticket machines.

Imagine McDonalds having such poor branding in their restaurants and their recently installed food ordering machines being regularly out of service and not programmed correctly to offer all their menu offerings?

McDonalds just offer terrible food, but hey the signs are nice.....

Seriously though, I really can't understand why people are getting bent out of shape over the signage. Do they tell you which station you are at? Yes? Then job done. Personally, speaking as a mere commuter, I would much rather Northern spend the money on getting more capacity onto trains that are more reliable. But then I am weird like that...

Llandudno · 4 Aug 2019

Bantamzen said:
McDonalds just offer terrible food, but hey the signs are nice.....

Seriously though, I really can't understand why people are getting bent out of shape over the signage. Do they tell you which station you are at? Yes? Then job done. Personally, speaking as a mere commuter, I would much rather Northern spend the money on getting more capacity onto trains that are more reliable. But then I am weird like that...

Perhaps that’s the secret behind McDonalds success, poor food, fabulous branding, emporor’s new clothes etc.

Maybe if Northern improved their branding it may disguise their lousy service!

Bantamzen · 4 Aug 2019

Llandudno said:
Perhaps that’s the secret behind McDonalds success, poor food, fabulous branding, emporor’s new clothes etc.

Maybe if Northern improved their branding it may disguise their lousy service!

To be honest I personally don't have too many issues with Northern, they tend to get me to where I need to be when I want to be there. McDonald's on the other hand, well just blergh...

NoMorePacers · 4 Aug 2019

McDonald's food, for the price you pay at least, isn't that bad in my opinion. The quality would be shocking if they charged actual restaurant prices. But I digress.

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