Encounter railway advertising and promotional material in the form of illustrated posters, printed notices and handbills. These works, including many by well-known artists, offer a fascinating record of railway style and graphic design.
Railway Posters, Notices & Handbills
Poster, British Railways London Midland Region, Go abroad to the Isle of Man, Port St. Mary, by Peter Collins, about 1955. Coloured lithograph depicting the harbour and the town with hills in the background. Text below gives details of steamers from Liverpool, Fleetwood and Ardrossan. Printed by Waterlow and Sons Ltd., London and Dunstable. Format: quad royal. Dimensions: 40 x 50 inches, 1016 x 1270mm.
1931
Poster, London and North Eastern Railway, East Coast Types, No 4, The Scottish Fishwife, by Frank Newbould, 1931. Coloured lithograph depicting an elderly woman selling fish. She is standing bent forward with a 'creel', a heavy wicker basket of fish on her back. She wears a tartan shawl, blue duffel coat, blue and grey striped dress and sturdy boots. In the background is a trawler. The text is arranged around the woman's feet and inclludes the slogan "Travel cheaply by L.N.E.R.". Artist's signature at top right. Text at bottom margin reads "Published by the London & North Eastern Railway, Printed in England, Chorley & Pickersgill Ltd Lithographers Leeds". Format: double royal. Dimensions: 40 x 25 inches, 1016 x 635mm.
1948-1953
Poster, British Railways (Eastern Region), The Queen of Scots by Reginald Mayes, about 1950. Coloured lithograph depicting the Queen of Scots Pullman train service, pulled by a blue A4 class locomotive. The train is shown running at speed and heading towards the viewer, alongside a field of tartan. Artist's signature at bottom left. Text below gives details of the weekday service between London King's Cross and Glasgow Queen Street stations, with stops at Leeds, Harrogate, Darlington, Newcastle and Edinburgh. Below is the British Railways 'totem' logo. Text at bottom margin reads "Published by the Railway Executive (Eastern Region) (AR1006), Printed in Great Britain, Jordison & Co. Ltd., London and Middlesbrough".
Poster, British Railways (Southern Region), 'A Day You Must not Miss!' by Shep [Charles Shepherd]. With the text 'A Visit to Wells, Glastonbury and Cheddar by Luxurious Pullman Train'. With a colourful border. White background and red text.
1935
Poster, London & North Eastern Railway, The Silver Jubilee, Britain's First Streamline Train, Newcastle and London in 4 hours, by Frank Newbould, 1935. Depicts the A4 class locomotive 'Silver Link' with the 'Silver Jubilee' train on a ground of silver, blue and red, with the timetable for services between London, Darlington and Newcastle, and the legend "Average throughout speed 67.08 m.p.h" at bottom right. Format: double royal.
circa 1953
Poster, British Railways (Southern Region), Folkestone by Ronald Lampitt, about 1953. Coloured lithograph depicting a bird's eye view of Folkestone seafront and harbour. In the foreground is the beach, with open air swimming baths, ornamental gardens and Marine Crescent. Beyond is the railway viaduct and harbour. On the cliffs in the background is a Napoleonic-era Martello tower, with East Cliff and the Warren in the distance. Signed at bottom right. Below is the British Railways 'totem' logo with text reading "Express trains from London, Through trains from the Midlands". Text at bottom margin reads "Published by the Railway Executive (Southern Region) AD3756 B37½; Printed in Great Britain by Jordison & Co. Ltd. London & Middlesbrough". Format double royal.
Poster, 'Perth - The Fair City', by W M Frazer RSA. Illustration of a view of Perth; text reads: 'Scotland's Holiday Centre. For guide book &c.apply to the Town Clerk, Perth.'
1965-1966
Poster, British Railways (North Eastern Region), Yorkshire Dales, A National Park Area, by Ronald Lampitt, about 1965 to 1967. Depicts a small village in the Dales nestled between green hills. Accompanying text from A E Housman's poem 'The Merry Guide' reads "Across the glittering pastures, And empty uplands still, And solitude of shepherds, High on the folded hill" with the legend "Travel by train, services and fares from stations and agencies". Text at bottom margin reads "Published by British Railways (North Eastern Region) P64; Printed by Chorley & Pickersgill Limited, Leeds". Format double royal.
1947
Poster, British Railways, Back on The Job, text only, printed by Ernest J Dry & Co Ltd, London. Format: double royal. Dimensions: 40 x 25 inches, 1016 x 635mm.
1930
Poster, London & North Eastern Railway, Norwich by Fred Taylor, sketch of interior of cathedral looking towards altar, printed by The Dangerfield Printing Co Ltd, London. Format: quad royal. Dimensions: 40 x 50 inches, 1016 x 1270mm.
London & North Eastern Railway poster. Farm Collection and Delivery Services by Andrew Johnson. Printed by the Dangerfield Printing Co. Ltd., London. Shows a LNER truck making a delivery to a farm courtyard. Format: quad royal. Dimensions: 40 x 50 inches, 1016 x 1270mm.
1974
Poster, British Rail, Inter-City Sleepers, Overground by Night, 1974. Offset lithograph in colours depicting a schematic map of main line rail sleeper service connections between England, Wales, Scotland, France and Belgium in the style of the London Underground map. The map is set on a ground of dark blue shading to black, with the rail lines shown in a variety of colours. It includes the British Rail 'double arrow' logo and the slogan "Close your eyes and you're almost there". Doubleroyal format. Printed by Lonsdale & Bartholomew Ltd in Nottingham, England.
Newcastle and Carlisle Railway notice. Cheap Train Wrestling Match between Ivison of Carlisle and Jameson of Newcastle at Haydon Bridge on Tuesday 29 July 1845
1973
BR safety poster, aimed at children. 'Play Safe - Don't Play on the Railway', shows 10 illustrated scenes of '10 little boys', one being killed in each scene by playing on the railway, until last child decides to stay off the line. Printed by collier Searle, published by British Railways Board. 1973
1989
Poster, BRB CAS Network South East, Dover by Train, white Cliffs and castle, 1989. Edward Pond, Planet Displays Ltd. B00490\75\1989. Format: double royal. Dimensions: 40 x 25 inches, 1016 x 635mm.
1933
Poster, London & North Eastern Railway, Rievaulx Abbey, Recently excavated chapter house in foreground by Fred Taylor, 1933. Coloured lithograph depicting the ruins of the chapter house and transept at Rievaulx Abbey on the North Yorkshire Moors. Two women pose on the stone seats of the chapter house, while a third takes a photograph. Signed by the artist at bottom right. Title below with the additional text "Helmsley, Yorks, L.N.E.R, Full information from L.N.E.R stations offices and agencies". Printed by John Waddington Ltd, Leeds & London. Backed on Linen. Format: quad royal. DImensions: 40 x 50 inches, 1016 x 1270mm.
circa 1929
Poster, Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits and Chemins de Fer du Nord poster, La Fleche d'Or/Golden Arrow, Train Pullman Quotidien' by William Spencer Bagdatopoulos, about 1929. Depicts a Pullman-Wagons-Lit carriage at a station platform, with a guard, three fashionably dressed young women passengers and a man in a suit, holding a trilby hat. One of the women, wearing a red dress and hat, walks away from the train.
GWR/LMS/LNER/SR poster. 21st Birthday 1923-1944 by "M"
1929
Poster, London and North Eastern Railway poster, Whitley Bay by John Littlejohns, 1929. Coloured lithograph depicting bathers in rockpools beneath cliffs, illuminated by a shaft of sunlight. In the foreground is a woman in a red and blue swimming costume, with a red cap. A towel is draped over her shoulders. Text below reads "New guide free from Council Offices, Whitley Bay or any LNER Agency". Format: quad royal.
1936
Poster, London & North Eastern Railway, Bamburgh by Tom Purvis, 1936. Coloured lithograph depicting a stylised view of the coast with Bamburgh castle, the beach and village. Printed by Chorley & Pickersgill Ltd, Lithographers, Leeds. Format: double royal. Dimensions: 40 x 25 inches, 1016 x 635mm.
Poster, Great Eastern Railway, Harlow Garden Village. With overview of the village. It promotes the village as good for commuters and having good leisure facilities.
Poster, Midland Railway, International Horse Show, Olympia, June 16th - 26th, about 1907. Coloured lithograph featuring a nineteenth century hunting print by H Alken depicting a huntsman and hounds, with the horse leaping a wooden fence. It is entitled "By the Lord Harry my Chestnut Horse can almost fly". Text above and below. Text at base gives details of underground train services to Olympia. The poster is a stock one, with the word "Midland" inserted into a box at the top. Backed. 1040 x 658mm
1961
Poster, British Railways (Western Region), Weston-super-Mare in Sunny Somerset, depicting photograph of people playing in the sea, 1961. Format: double royal. Dimensions: 40 x 25 inches, 1016 x 635mm.
1977
Poster, British Rail, Mr Stupid, Stay Off the Line and Stay Alive, by Roger Hargreaves, 1977. Depicts a twelve frame cartoon, featuring 'Mr Men' characters created and drawn by Roger Hargreaves. Intended to discourage children from trespassing on the railway, it tells the story of Mr Stupid walking on railway lines and eventually being rescued by Mr Strong. Printed by Impress (Acton) Ltd, published by British Railways Board, ref. no. 4337A/377.
Poster Great Western Railway, London Midland & Scottish Railway, London & North Eastern Railway, Southern Railway. 21st Birthday 1923-1944 by "M"
Poster, British Rail (CAS) for Network SouthEast. Portsmouth by train- Victory and Warrior by Edward Pond, 1989. HMS Victory and Warrior figurehead. BR(CAS) ref: B00493/A1/1989. Printed by Planet Displays Ltd. Format: double royal. Dimensions: 40 x 25 inches, 1016 x 635mm.
1975
Poster, National Railway Museum, York, Official Opening 27 September 1975, Mallard leaving a tunnel.
British Railways (Central Advertising Services) poster for Network SouthEast. Chichester by train - Market Cross by Edward Pond, 1989. Market Cross against red background. BR(CAS) ref: B00494/B75/1989. Printed by Planet Displays Ltd. (1989). Format: double royal.
1948
Poster, British Railways (North Eastern Region), 'Yorkshire Dales' by Leonard Russell Squirrell, 1948. The poster depicts a view from the west towards Richmond Castle, looking over the River Swale towards Richmond Bridge. Signed L R Squirrell at bottom right. The poster was published as part of the 'See England by Rail' series.
1926
Poster, Great Western Railway, Whom do you Serve? 1926, notice to staff from Felix J C Pole, General Manager, urging them not to strike in support of the miners together with NUR statement urging support. Format: double royal. Dimensions: 40 x 25 inches, 1016 x 635mm.
Poster, London Midland & Scottish Railway, Gleneagles - The Scottish Resort in the Very Centre of Scotland. Black background with a depiction of the Gleneagles crest.
circa 1926
Poster, Pullman Car Company, The Queen of Scots Pullman, by Septimus E Scott, about 1926. Coloured lithograph depicting a woman in a tartan dress, beige overcoat and cloche hat standing in front of a Pullman car at a railway station. The carriage carries a destination board listing stops at Leeds, Harrogate, Darlington and Newcastle. The text below gives details of train times from Glasgow and Edinburgh and connections to boat trains from London Victoria station. Format double royal, 1270 x 1016mm.
BR(CAS) poster for Network SouthEast. Southend by Train- Regatta/Old Leigh by Edward Pond, 1989. Yachts with quay and buildings in background. BR(CAS) ref: B0048/B75/1989. Printed by Planet Displays Ltd. 1015 x 635mm. (1989). Format: double royal. Dimensions: 40 x 25 inches, 1016 x 635mm.
1970s
Reproduction poster, London & North Eastern Railway, 'Take me by the Flying Scotsman' by A R Thomson. Text reads 'Take me by the flying Scotsman, from Kings Cross at 10am weekdays. With apologies to the Southern Railway". Depicts the wheels of the Flying Scotsman with a young girl looking up in awe from the platform towards the driver, who is talking to her through a speaking tube. Pastiche of the Southern Railway poster "I'm Taking an Early Holiday cos I know Summer Comes Soonest in the South". Format: double royal, 40 x 25 inch, 1016 x 635mm.
Poster, London Midland & Scottish Railway, The Peak District for Picture Makers - Haddon Hall and the Wye Valley by F E Turner, Kodak girl on bank of river with trees and hall in background, issued for display in USA, printed by Hudson & Kearns Ltd, Litho, London. Format: double royal. Dimensions: 40 x 25 inches, 1016 x 635mm.
Poster, British Railways, Starsky and Hutch, Stay Off the Line and Stay Alive!', 1977. Coloured lithograph depicting a graphic storyboard featuring the fictional television detectives, Starsky and Hutch, rescuing a boy injured while playing on railway lines. Published by the British Railways Board and printed by Impress (Acton) Ltd. Format: Double Crown: 20 x 30 inches, 505 x 760mm. British Rail poster serial 4337/377.
1979
Poster, British Rail, Stay Alive. Stay Off the Line! 1979. The poster features a lurid montage including green skulls, fantastical cities, aircraft, trains, planes, cars and skateboarding. An accompanying verse tells the story of a teenage boy, killed trespassing on the railway, and his dashed hopes for the future, by way of discussion with Death. Printed by Lonsdale and Bartholomew, published by British Railway Board. Serial 6141A/A34/579.
Poster, British Rail, Play Safe, Don't Play on the Railway, 1973. Photolithograph showing ten scenes, illustrated in ceramics and accompanied by verse, showing ten boys playing on railway lines, usually with fatal consequences. Intended to discourage children from trespassing on railway lines. Printed by Collier Searle, published by British Railways Board.
1928
London & North Eastern Railway poster. Edinburgh by East Cost Route by Frank Mason, 1928. Printed by John Waddington Ltd., Leeds & London. Format: quad royal. Dimensions: 40 x 50 inches, 1016 x 1270mm.
Poster, Pullman Car Company, The Queen of Scots Pullman, by Septimus E Scott, about 1926. Coloured lithograph depicting a woman in a tartan dress, beige overcoat and cloche hat standing in front of a Pullman car at a railway station. The carriage carries a destination board listing stops at Leeds, Harrogate, Newcastle and Edinburgh. The text below gives details of train times from Glasgow and Edinburgh and connections to boat trains from London Victoria station. Format double royal, 1270 x 1016mm.
circa 1957
British Railways (Scottish Region) poster, Service to Industry, The New Ore Discharging Plant at General Terminus Quay, Glasgow, by Alasdair Macfarlane, about 1957. Coloured lithograph depicting the iron ore discharging facility and two shunting locomotives with trains of hopper wagons. In the background are bulk carrier ships on the River Clyde, with cranes along the banks. Text below reads "Planned to provide a speedy handling, the ore is conveyed by rail from the plant to the ironworks and steel works in Lanarkshire in specially constructed 33-ton hooper wagons." At left is the British Railways totem logo. Printed by McCorquodale, Glasgow. Format: quad royal. Dimensions: 40 x 50 inches, 1016 x 1270mm.
1950
Poster, British Railways (London Midland Region), Buxton, Pavilion Gardens, The Derbyshire Spa of Blue Waters, by Kenneth Steel, 1950. Coloured lithograph depicting the River Wye flowing through the gardens and over a cascade, with a footbridge and the Octagon Concert Hall in the background. Text in bottom margin reads "Published by the Railway Executive (London Midland Region) LM 3750. Printed in Great Britain by R. B. Macmillan Ltd., Derby". Format double royal.
circa 1958
Poster, British Railways, Great News! An All in Holiday in Bonnie Scotland, about 1958. Coloured lithograph of text in white on a background of tartan arranged diagonally. Additional text reads "From £15.15.0, children under 14 £10.10.0, Ask inside for details". Format: Double Royal. Dimensions: 40 x 25 inches, 1016 x 635mm.
1960
Poster, British Railways (Western Region), Harlech Castle, Merioneth, by Ronald Lampitt, 1960. Coloured lithograph depicting a view looking over Harlech Castle, with the plain below lit by shafts of sunlight, and mountains and the Irish Sea in the distance. Text below gives details of opening times and admission prices, with the British Railways 'totem' logo and the words "By train to Harlech Station, which is in close proximity to the castle". Printed by The British Printing Co. Ltd.
