Marvin OnumonuAvanti West Coast has unveiled a train wrap celebrating the ethnic backgrounds of its workers and communities along the West Coast Main Line.
The ‘Together We Roll’ wrap, designed by digital artist Baraka Carberry, covers all seven carriages of Evero train number 807010.
The wrap was created after staff including onboard customer service assistant Marvia Norman and onboard chef Marcia Graver suggested the idea to mark cultural events like Black History Month, Ramadan and Diwali.
Carberry developed the design in workshops with frontline staff.
Carberry said: “As a Black British artist, diversity and inclusion hold deep personal significance for me, making this project particularly meaningful.
“I envision it as a living, evolving artwork that has the potential to resonate with the public.
“My hope is that people will connect with the universal moments captured here and reflect on their own unique legacies.”
Carberry added: “When we think of “legacy,” we often focus on grand, monumental achievements.
“However, I believe it’s the small, everyday moments—sounds, sights, and notes—that build the foundation for something much greater.
“True legacy evolves, growing and transcending to become something larger than life.”
She said: “This project is an invitation to embrace diversity, honour intergenerational wisdom, and work together towards a thriving future.
“It celebrates the universal moments that connect us, while honouring our distinct perspectives.
“We are all icons, each contributing to a shared cultural legacy.”
The unveiling forms part of Avanti’s wider equality, diversity and inclusion strategy, which is due to launch later this year.
The strategy will focus on fairness, respect and engagement in the workplace, and aims to achieve ‘Investors in Diversity’ accreditation.
Rail Minister Lord Peter 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.”
Kathryn O’Brien, customer experience director at Avanti West Coast, said: “Nothing like this has been seen on the UK’s railways, so we’re incredibly proud of this unique train and who it represents.
“As people are the heart of what we do, we listen and encourage talking, so we can further develop as a business and offer a place to work where colleagues feel valued and respected.
“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.”
O’Brien added: “Working with Baraka to represent and celebrate this has been an absolute joy and we’re excited to see this striking train take to the rails later this year.
“We recognise there’s still more to be done at Avanti West Coast and within the rail industry to have a workforce that is representative of society and the communities we serve.
“We are passionate about playing our part to attract talent from all backgrounds.”
She said: “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.”
Louise Williams, DEI and employee engagement lead at Hitachi Rail, said: “We were thrilled to collaborate with Avanti West Coast on the ‘Together We Roll’ livery, which beautifully reflects our shared commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
“This initiative not only celebrates the rich tapestry of our communities but also underscores the importance of unity and representation in the rail industry.
“As we mark Railway 200, this project is a testament to the progress we’ve made and the future we envision.”
Williams added: “At Hitachi Rail, we believe that embracing DEI principles drives innovation and strengthens our workforce, and we are proud to support this meaningful project.”
Sonia Hazel, ethnicity and race in rail, rail unites for inclusion and EDI charter for rail, said: “This is a first for the rail industry and a fantastic step forward in giving a platform to the importance of ethnicity.
“I particularly love that the train wrap was borne from the ideas of staff and rolled into the introduction of a new fleet, so it remains authentic in its core.
“I hope this showcase of ethnic diversity on the West Coast Main Line captures the hearts of those who see it and encourages other train operators to think about representation in the regions they serve.”
