Pop megastar Justin Timberlake may be more used to travelling in private jets. However, from Friday 14 March he will be touring the North of England on a Northern Rail train, as the UK’s largest train operator announces it is an official supporter to Liverpool Culture Company
Justin is just one of several people and images featured in two very special train liveries that will travel throughout the north of England celebrating Northern Rail’s support of Liverpool: European Capital of Culture 2008.
Each train features a different design championing the arts and the Capital of Culture. Train number 150146 features images of a variety of musicians, while train number 150147 is dedicated to art and sculpture, including pictures of Anthony Gormley’s ‘Iron Men’ and superlambanana.
The image of Justin shows one of his recent MTV Award wins, marking the fact that the world famous music awards show is coming to Liverpool in 2008.
Jamie Ross, Area Director, Northern Rail said: “As the UK’s largest train operator we are delighted to be an official supporter of Liverpool Capital of Culture. Over 78 million journeys were made on our services last year and these trains will be a rolling celebration and promotion of the city and this year’s events.”
Councillor Warren Bradley, Leader of Liverpool City Council and Deputy Chairman of Liverpool Culture Company said: “It is a huge boost for our Capital of Culture celebrations to have the support of Northern Rail. Through their fleet of trains they can promote the message that Liverpool is the place to be this year to millions of people travelling all over the North of England. These train wraps are a fantastic advert for the city and underline the unbeatable quality and scale of our cultural offer.”
The artwork for the train liveries has been specially commissioned through the Culture Company and designed by Liverpool agency Finch.
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Notes to editors
For further information contact the Northern Rail press office on 01904 568652 or 01904 568670.
1. The Liverpool Culture Company was established by Liverpool City Council in 2000, to lead the city’s bid to be European Capital of Culture 2008. In June 2003, following a two-year nationwide competition featuring 12 cities, Liverpool was chosen as the UK’s representative for 2008. The programme for 2008 includes more than 350 events and festivals – many of which are free – delivered in collaboration with major cultural institutions, artists, performers and venues throughout Liverpool and beyond. www.liverpool08.com.
2. There are 4 levels of sponsorship available to support the ‘08 Culture programme, including Partner, Supporter, Supplier and Friend. Potential sponsors can contribute from £20,000 through to in excess of £2million. Official 08 Partners to date are: UK top law firm Hill Dickinson, United Utilities, Radio City 96.7, Enterprise Plc, North West Regional Development Agency, Alliance & Leicester Commercial Bank, Sayers the Bakers, Trinity Mirror North West & North Wales, Merseytravel, BT and Virgin Trains.
Northern Rail is the biggest train operator in Britain, providing 2,500 local and regional train services every day across the north of England, serving a population of nearly 15m. We are now carrying 78.5 million passengers a year, 23% more than when we started our franchise in December 2004.
Northern Rail is owned by Serco-NedRailways, a joint venture established in 2002 that combines Serco’s world-class service credentials and NedRailways’ unrivalled rail industry expertise. Serco has run the highly successful Docklands Light Railway since 1997 while NedRailways’ parent, NS Dutch Railways, carries over 1.1 million passengers every day in the Netherlands.
In addition to Northern Rail, Serco-NedRailways has the 25-year concession for Merseyrail, which provides urban train services in Merseyside.
Recent Northern honours
Rail Business of the Year and Train Operator of the Year – HSBC Rail Business Awards 2007
Public Transport Operator of the Year - National Transport Awards 2007
Winners – Example of Excellence in Rural Action, Business in the Community Awards 2007
Overall Winners - Community Rail Awards 2007
