On Thursday morning at London Bridge station, a new digital clock, 1.8 meters high, was unveiled. This clock serves as a prototype for the Great British Railways’ signature station clock design, marking the first new design in over 50 years. The clock’s digital representation will also appear on electronic information boards at train stations throughout Britain.
This clock features a black and red face inspired by the historical British Rail logo, a design choice emphasized by rail minister Peter Hendy as a link between the past and the future of rail transport. The railway, celebrating its 200th anniversary this year, played a significant role in establishing a unified national time zone, transitioning from cities setting their own clocks based on the sun.
London Bridge station was selected for this initial clock due to its history; it was one of the first stations to have an electronic clock linked to Greenwich Observatory via telegraph. The design was the result of an international competition and was chosen for its readability and branding alignment. The design team aims for it to symbolize time across the rail network.
The clock displays only hours and minutes, with seconds represented by a “double arrow” from the British Rail logo, indicating the continuous flow of journeys. Concerns were raised regarding the display of seconds, but Network Rail CEO Andrew Haines confirmed that seconds will be clearly visible on platform displays.
Some individuals, including the original creator of the British Rail logo and a rail historian, expressed excitement over the clock’s launch. A pop-up shop at the station is selling merchandise featuring the design, and an app is being developed for smartwatch users to download the clock face.
Hendy stressed the importance of good design in achieving a cohesive railway experience, following a history of varied clock styles after the privatization of British railways. He noted that if the clock aids passengers in knowing their location and the time, it would represent a significant achievement.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/oct/16/great-british-railways-clock-launches-london-bridge