LNER celebrates National Railway Museum’s 50th with vibrant train livery

LNER has unveiled a vibrant new livery on one of its InterCity 225 trains to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the National Railway Museum, celebrating a significant milestone in railway heritage. The locomotive, named ‘National Railway Museum 50 Years 1975-2025’, showcases a colourful ribbon and iconic exhibits like Mallard and Duchess of Hamilton, symbolising the enduring partnership between LNER and the museum, supported by Eversholt Rail.

This milestone is particularly relevant for business travellers who frequently use LNER’s services along the East Coast Main Line, as the commemorative train will operate between key business hubs such as Leeds, York, and London King’s Cross, offering a unique and visually striking travel experience.

Paul Baker, Sales Director of Global Travel Management, said: “This vibrant livery not only celebrates a significant milestone but also enhances the journey for our UK-based business travellers, connecting major cities with a nod to railway heritage that adds a touch of inspiration to their trips.”

The special livery was revealed at an event at the National Railway Museum in York on 8 July 2025, where it remained on display until 10 July before entering service. The Class 91 locomotive, temporarily renumbered 91150 to mark the occasion, follows a tradition of commemorative namings, such as the 1985 naming of a Class 43 HST power car ‘NRM – The First 10 Years’ and its renaming in 2015 to ‘National Railway Museum 40 Years 1975-2015’.

David Horne, Managing Director at LNER, said: “We are so proud to unveil this special livery to celebrate a major milestone in the history of the National Railway Museum which is, unquestionably, a railway institution. LNER has a relationship with the NRM that goes back many years. Some of the most significant locomotives and artefacts in its collection, such as Flying Scotsman and Mallard, were created by the original LNER following its inception over a century ago. Today, LNER carries close to 24 million customers each year across a near 1,000-mile route, and we can’t wait to see this commemorative livery out on the network. 

Craig Bentley, Director of the National Railway Museum, said: “We are thrilled to see LNER mark the National Railway Museum’s 50th birthday with this vibrant livery. Our long-standing relationship with LNER is something we truly value, and in the railway’s bicentenary year, it feels especially fitting that our own anniversary will be celebrated and seen by thousands of passengers out on the network. We’ve welcomed almost 40 million visitors over the past five decades, and we hope this will inspire many more to visit during this landmark year.”

Steve Timothy, Stakeholder Director at Eversholt Rail, added: “We have a long-established relationship with both the National Railway Museum and LNER so are delighted to be supporting this new livery for our Class 91 locomotive to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the NRM.”

The locomotive, no. 91105, has been transformed with the help of Eversholt Rail and the Neville Hill depot team, ensuring it serves as a moving tribute to the museum’s legacy. As business travel continues to thrive, this initiative highlights LNER’s commitment to enhancing the passenger experience while celebrating the rich history of UK rail.

For further details on how you can use LNER journeys to smooth your business travel plans, please contact your Global Travel Management Account Manager.