Monthly Archives: November 2014

Large Format Colour Transparencies of American Railroad 1943 by Jack Deleno

Here are some colour images of the US railroads during 1943. The images show women doing mens’ work..and winning! Chicago was the industrial centre of the USA for most of the 19C and 20C. It’s position made it the gate-way … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Fortune Magazine

Here’s a cover design from Fortune magazine in 1939. Fortune was America’s most important industrial and business news magazine. During the period 1930-1960 the magazine was a pioneer of new forms of graphic design that combined information and organisation…You get … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Boxcar + Silo

  Here’s a terrific photographic image that I found online…it combines the horizontal of the box car with the verticals of the silo…I also have a weakness for the typographic detail. This kind of industrial and poetic realism is associated, … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Andrew Martin – Railway Writer

We’re in the middle of our local book festival. I went to listen to the railway author, Andrew Martin, speak about his new book. This is a book in which he re-traces the journeys of the great named services of … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Speed Limit – 500kph

The Japanese maglev (magnetic levitation) train has set a new speed record…500 kph. With passengers! Amazing…at ground level, that’s a fantastic speed. But, did you know that maglev technology, based on superconducting linear motors, was developed in Britain? Obviously, it … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Railway Systems : Communication + Organisation = Design

Here’s a set of small posters to remind railway staff of how to deal with parcels and goods for freight. It all seems pretty straightforward…it’s about organisation, communication, and consistency. Actually, that’s what design is all about.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Railway Safety Posters by Leonard Cusden

Here is a group of railway safety posters from the 1940s and 1950s. They’re from the steam age, anyway. They’re designed by Leonard Cusden…a pretty good poster designer who remains relatively unknown…

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

British Railways by Arthur Elton BIP No83 (1945)

The Britain in Pictures books (BIP) published by Collins are a familiar staple of the second-hand book trade in the UK. Most shops will have a selection on their shelves, with-or- without dust wraps. In general, and with very few … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Monet’s Trains

We popped into the National Gallery, London, recently. It was great to have a quick look at some old friends. Here is Monet’s picture of the trains at St Lazare, Paris. The effect of light and steam against the metal, … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment