New ‘vibrant’ train design celebrates ethnicity of workforce

A train has been wrapped in bold artwork celebrating the ethnicity of its operator’s workforce and the communities it serves.

Digital artist Baraka Carberry, who created the work for Avanti West Coast, said it shows “scenes of people, culture, colours and joy”.

The Together We Roll design stretches across all seven carriages of a new Evero train which enters passenger service this summer.

It was produced following a suggestion from the operator’s frontline workers.

Avanti West Coast customer experience director Kathryn O’Brien said: “Nothing like this has been seen on the UK’s railways.

“We’re incredibly proud of this unique train and who it represents.

“By bringing to life the vibrant communities we serve and our employees, we hope to highlight the many people of different cultures, backgrounds and heritage who have a connection to the railway.”

She acknowledged there is “still more to be done” at Avanti West Coast and across the wider rail industry to have a workforce “representative of society and the communities we serve”.

Artist Baraka Carberry created the design. PA Media

She added: “We are passionate about playing our part to attract talent from all backgrounds.

“This vibrant train marks our latest step towards this by sparking conversations about ethnicity and bringing a sense of togetherness across the west coast and beyond.”

Rail minister Lord Hendy said: “Diversity is key to the success of any industry and creative work like this goes a long way in sparking conversations, encouraging inclusion and may inspire more people to choose a career in rail.

“We still have a long way to go until we have a railway which reflects the society we live in, but Together We Roll shows Avanti West Coast’s commitment to representing more of the communities they serve, and I look forward to seeing Baraka’s artwork out on the track.”

Carberry described the design as “a living, evolving artwork that has the potential to resonate with the public”.

She added: “My hope is that people will connect with the universal moments captured here and reflect on their own unique legacies.”

Avanti West Coast runs services on the West Coast Main Line between London Euston and Scotland.

In October 2023, it named a train Asquith Xavier after the first black person to work as a guard at Euston station in 1966.