The creator of the well-known British Rail emblem has spoken out against government plans to modernize the mark, calling a separate effort to give it a temporary green makeover "a load of old bollocks."

Grant Shapps, the transport minister, has said that when the new Great British Railways system is introduced next year, it would include "updated versions of the classic "double-arrow" logo." “A single familiar brand with a bold new vision for passengers – of punctual services, simpler tickets, and a modern and green railway that meets the nation's needs,” he claimed.

Meanwhile, with the Glasgow climate change conference approaching, the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) started a campaign on Wednesday to highlight the environmental advantages of rail travel, using the classic logo but changing the colors to five different shades of green.

Gerry Barney, the elderly creator of the original emblem, had been asked to approve the facelift by the industry organization. But he was horrified when the Guardian showed him the recolored version.

He replied, "I think that's nonsense." “If they had just switched red for green, I could understand it. But why do they have so many different colors? It's a bunch of nonsense. It's a shambles.”

Barney, 82, was taken aback by the move since RDG has been airing a TV commercial since August that prominently features the red version logo. “It's great that they're using it again and properly, so why would they want to change?” he said.

The RDG had sent Barney a letter of support supporting the green makeover. He flatly refused. When it was read to him at his Epsom home, he replied, "No way."

Shapps' proposal for a new logo based on the original version worries Barney, who created the double arrow mark as a 24-year-old lettering artist.

He added, "I'm not sure if it can be updated because it's so simple." “They should just leave it alone; if it ain't broke, don't fix it,” says the author.

Gerry Barney, a 24-year-old lettering artist, created the initial logo. Photo credit: The Guardian/Linda Nylind
In 1964, while commuting from Ealing Broadway to Bond Street to work at the Design Research Unit, Barney had the concept for the logo.

He said, "The only thought I had was railway lines coming and going." “I drew a sketch on the back of an envelope on the tube. It was a genuine envelope, and I wish I could locate it now; it'd be worth a lot of money. I sketched it up when I went to work.”

The design was chosen by the British Railways board, which was headed at the time by Dr. Richard Beeching. He was well known for the "Beeching axe," which included cutting hundreds of miles of branch lines from the network, and he wanted a logo "powerful enough to symbolise the service it stands for."

Despite the fact that he completed the task, Barney never met Beeching. He said, "I wasn't allowed to because I was too junior." “I didn't even get a thank you,” she says.

In January 1965, the emblem was presented in an exhibition that included everything from wine glasses and rugs to tickets and matchboxes.

The double arrow had a mixed response at first. “People said they weren't sure if they were going to come or go,” Barney added. The arrows on the clothing made female employees seem like "prim old-fashioned convicts," according to the Guardian at the time.

The emblem, however, persisted and established a visual shorthand for trains and stations very quickly. “When they started putting it on road signs, I realized it was going to last,” Barney remarked. I'm amazed it's survived this long, but they'll have a hard time replacing it now that it's on every station road sign.”

Even after the rail network was privatized in 1996, Labour accused the Conservative transport minister of "using the British Rail logo as a fig leaf to cover his embarrassment at destroying the rail network."

Barney is now concerned that his emblem will be used to hide the flaws of a rebranded privatized system. “I believe the railways should be renationalized completely. It's crazy to have different businesses and areas. You're completely perplexed since each line has its own individuality. The only thing that gives you a sense of security is the station's logo.”

He has always wished for the emblem to be utilized more prominently. “The first time I drew it, I used it to cover an entire train, from roof to rails, so you could see it from a mile away. They wouldn't do it, despite the fact that it looked fantastic. They were too sorry about it, treating it as if it were a badge rather than a badge of honor.”

Barney believes that his initial strong design might be used to update the logo right now.

“Application is most likely the key to keeping it up to date. It's pointless to change it. They should follow my advice and go for broke.”

However, he does not anticipate to be contacted by train authorities about his thoughts on the new emblem. “They probably have no idea I'm still alive,” he said.

Last Friday, Barney and his wife took a train journey to Cornwall to celebrate his 82nd birthday.

Thanks to Matthew Weaver at The Guardian whose reporting provided the original basis for this story.