Long Marston has long played an important role in Britain’s rail industry, but with significant investment from Porterbrook it was entering a new chapter. As the site evolved into the Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre, it needed a clear identity that reflected its growing importance to the industry while sitting confidently within the wider Porterbrook brand.
Our challenge was to create distinctive destination branding that could unite the site’s facilities, support major launches and events, and provide a flexible identity across signage, exhibitions, marketing and visitor communications.
The heartbeat
We wanted Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre to become not just a place but a destination, where old stock is transformed, new technologies are tested, ideas become reality and lasting partnerships are formed for the benefit of rail. We wanted the brand to capture that sense of action, creating an identity that positions the site not simply as a location, but as the new home of rail innovation.
Building on the Porterbrook brand, we created a sub-brand that gives Long Marston its own distinctive presence while remaining unmistakably part of the wider family. From environmental graphics and wayfinding to event branding and communications, every touchpoint was designed to reinforce one consistent story – this is where the future of rail is brought to life.
The impact
The Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre brand has provided Porterbrook with a powerful platform to showcase its investment in innovation, asset management and sustainability commitments. It has supported the launch of new facilities, strengthened the site’s presence at Rail Live and created a consistent experience for visitors, partners and customers alike.
The new brand identity has helped establish Long Marston as one of the UK’s leading destinations for rail innovation, engineering and testing. As the site continues to evolve, the identity provides a flexible foundation that can grow alongside it, supporting future developments while reinforcing Porterbrook’s ambition to help shape the next generation of rail.
