07.09.15
Brunel descendent helps in relaunch of FGW as Great Western Railway
With the rebranding of First Great Western to Great Western Railway now less than two weeks away, the company has commissioned the great, great, great grandson of Isambard Kingdom Brunel to help promote the change.
Isambard Thomas, a 51-year-old graphic artist will create a limited edition print of the line, following an event at Bristol Temple Meads today.
From 20 September, First Great Western (FGW) will change its branding and livery to GWR, which was the name of the original company that built and operated the line. Brunel was appointed as its engineer in 1833.
Isambard Thomas was quoted as saying: “It is a great honour to work on a project which was so close to my great, great, great grandfather’s heart. I have prints from the time which show how stations and the line used to look and I can compare them with how they look now.
“I have recently visited the Box Hill tunnel, which was a remarkable feature at the time. To build it they had to build 14 shafts down through a hill. All the earth was taken out through the shafts.
“The brickwork in those shafts is still beautiful and the tunnel is still in good condition, a testament to the work carried out at the time.”
FGW spokesman Dan Panes told the Bristol Post: “There is a significant change and improvement occurring from 20 September that is underpinned by the electrification of the line, the introduction of brand new as well as more modern trains across the whole network.”
RTM first reported on the rebrand to GWR in May this year, and again in July.