Category Archives: Uncategorized

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.

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…

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 →

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 →

Here’s a wonderful display of French chromo-printed tinplate model railway items. There are trains and accessories: buildings and bridges and so on. It’s a bit peculiar, but I find I am more interested in the buildings around the railway, than … Continue reading →

This poster, for the the overnight sleeper service between London and Scotland, is magical. It expresses the obvious link between the view from the carriage and dreaming…I’ve written about the Freudian potential of trains before, but this poster makes the … Continue reading →

Here’s a poster by the German master, ludwig Hohlwein. There’s a steam loco in the background, but the poster is for excursions to the Bavarian Alps. Hohlwein is a significant figure in the historical development of the modern poster because … Continue reading →

There was a terrific Dr Who adventure on TV, yesterday evening, that combined Starlight Express and Murder on the Orient Express, with a zombie-style mummy from ancient Egypt. I noticed that a number of the Doctor’s adventured take place in … Continue reading →

This week-end, 11+12/10/2014, there is some kind of steam event at CSM KX. I had some fun yesterday, watching two big layouts being constructed in the front part of the building. The two layouts are quite famous. They get exhibited … Continue reading →