Great Western says ‘thank you’ to key workers in 116 languages
GREAT Western Railway (GWR) has unveiled a special livery thanking key workers for their incredible efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.
With a theme of ‘The nation says thank you’, the special design features words of gratitude in 116 different languages used by those living across the GWR network.
The project was inspired by the company’s design a train competition.
The livery carried by Class 802 IET No. 802020 incorporates the ideas of three teenagers who entered a competition on GWR’s social media channels to design a train livery.
Sam Smith, 13, from Gloucestershire, suggested the words ‘The nation says thank you’; Sam Moorey, 15, from Newton Abbot, proposed saying ‘thank you’ in different languages; while Ned Thompson, 16, of Guildford, crafted the overall design.
GWR worked with local authorities and NHS trusts to ensure the diversity of communities across its network was represented.
The livery features 109 speech bubbles, using 116 languages from at least 166 countries.
The ‘design a special train livery’ competition was judged by railway historian and broadcaster Tim Dunn.
He said: “Everyone is incredibly grateful to those key workers, including the railway family, who have worked tirelessly through the pandemic.
“We wanted the design to represent the thoughts and thanks of those living across the network.
“We believe the inclusion of these different languages is the perfect way to illustrate everyone’s gratitude.
“Hats off to the two Sams and Ned for coming up with such original concepts.”
The special livery has been funded by rolling stock leasing company Eversholt
Rail, and Intercity Express Train manufacturer Hitachi Rail.