Famous Five back on board for another Great Western Railway adventure
The Famous Five are back on board with Great Western Railway – taking their first new adventure by train since 2020.
A new TV ad, ‘Five Get There First’, promotes travelling by train and how it can deliver a level of comfort, speed, sustainability and ability to socialise you just don’t get by taking the car.
The campaign, the fourth to feature the Famous Five, aims to highlight the green credentials of travelling by train versus the car among its key benefits*.
A trip to the seaside pits Uncle Quentin and Aunt Fanny in their exhaust-spewing automobile, against the Famous Five travelling in the comfort of a hybrid GWR train.
Richard E. Grant reprises his role as Uncle Quentin and Aunt Fanny is voiced by Jennifer Saunders. “Last one there is a rotten egg,” calls out Uncle Quentin as he speeds away.
But the duo endure a terrible journey plagued by traffic delays, road pollution, a mud-obscured windscreen and farmyard hazards, before careering through the streets of a quiet seaside town.
Meanwhile, Julian, George, Dick, Anne and Timmy the dog have a far more peaceful trip, complete with lovely views, conversation and delicious cups of tea.
By the time Quentin and Fanny arrive their clapped-out car is close to breaking down, and the children have already been there for some time. Finally reunited, Uncle Quentin and Aunt Fanny resolve to start travelling by train as well.
GWR is delivering almost a 5% increase in train services every day across the network this summer and ‘Five Get There First’ is a fun way to highlight the benefits of travelling by train, encouraging more people to make the switch from car to rail.
The campaign aims to inspire travellers to take their own adventure and uncover the wealth of exciting destinations across the GWR network, from the Cotswolds, to London, South Wales and the south coast.
GWR Director of Sales and Marketing, Amanda Burns, said:
“We’re proud to continue to produce distinctive advertising campaigns that stand out in a crowded travel market and hope ‘Five Get There First’ inspires people to travel with GWR and experience our world-class destinations for themselves.”
The campaign, based on Enid Blyton’s original Famous Five narratives, was again created by agency adam&eveDDB.
adam&eveDDB Executive Creative Director Ben Tollett said:
“We couldn’t be prouder to present yet another high energy caper from the Famous Five. This time the gang race to the beach, whilst Aunt Fanny and Uncle Quentin find trouble in taking the car.”
Contact Information
John Carter
Media and Communications Manager
Great Western Railway
0845 410 4444
Notes to editors
*The Rail Delivery Group estimates that a 20% shift from rail to road would lead to an extra one million tonnes of CO2 emissions and 300 million hours stuck in traffic jams per year.
- A single train removes up to 500 cars off our roads
- Travelling by train reduces carbon emissions by 7.7 million tonnes in the UK every year
- Train travel helps cut carbon emissions by two thirds compared to travelling by car
- Leaving your car at home and taking the train cuts carbon emissions by two thirds
- GWR has reduced carbon emissions by 40% across its network since 2017
First Greater Western Limited, trading as “Great Western Railway” (GWR), operates trains across the Great Western franchise area, which includes South Wales, the West Country, the Cotswolds, across southern England and into London. GWR provides high speed, commuter, regional and branch line train services, and before the covid-19 pandemic helped over 100 million passengers reach their destinations every year. GWR has been awarded a National Rail Contract to continue operating the Great Western network, which shall run up to 21 June 2025, with the potential for a further three years at the Secretary of State’s discretion. Find out more here: https://www.gwr.com/about-us