Representatives from London North Eastern Railway (LNER) and TransPennine Express came together at York station to celebrate Pride month.

As part of the event, specially liveried trains were present, one from LNER and one from TransPennine Express.

The LNER Pride-themed Azuma, named ‘Together’, was created in order to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ work that LNER does in the communities that it serves, and the design was launched last summer.

Meanwhile, from TransPennine Express ‘Unity’ was present. This made its inaugural journey from Newcastle to York in January of this year.

For the event at York station, rail employees were also joined by members of charities Mosaic Trust and The Proud Trust, both of which do LGBTQIA+ and were involved in York Pride.

It is hoped that the photos with ‘Unity’ and ‘Together’ demonstrate the railway industry’s focus on the values of inclusion and collaboration.

CrossCountry Trains has recently introduced Pride-related designs on two of its trains too, while other operators, such as Great Western Railway and London North East Railway, have also released Pride-themed liveries on what have come to be called ‘trainbows’.

At LNER, we celebrate Pride all year round and foster and encourage individuality and an environment where our colleagues can bring their true selves to work, every day. It’s fabulous to see so many of our colleagues, and colleagues across the industry, getting into the spirit with our Pride celebrations in York and a joy to see LNER’s ‘Together’ train and TPE’s ‘Unity’ train side by side on the tracks as a show of solidarity for the LGBTQIA+ community.

Tracey Barber, Senior Employee Experience Partner at LNER

Seeing the ‘Unity’ and ‘Together’ trains side by side is a powerful symbol of our commitment to diversity and inclusion. At TPE, we strive to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and respected, and joining forces with LNER to celebrate Pride highlights the solidarity and support within the rail industry for the LGBTQIA+ community.

Harriet Harbidge, Diversity and Inclusion Manager at TPE