Daniel Wright
@danielhwright.bsky.social
Escaped transport journalist and transport planner, sometime librarian and Community Rail support person; currently freelance transport writer of various things (inc @thebeautyoftransport.com) as well as working and living in fabulous Orkney.
Architectural photographer Philip Butler's new book "226 Garages and Service Stations" is out imminently, and Britain's garages have never looked so good. #TheBeautyOfTransport talks to Philip about the book, car-related roadside architecture, and his approach to architectural photography.
The Other Stations (226 Garages and Service Stations, by Philip Butler)
Railway stations, bus stations and... filling stations? The first two have made frequent appearances on the pages of this website, the third far less often. Filling stations, and their close cousins garages and car showrooms, only occasionally attract significant architectural attention. Although it can happen from time to time (there's a list of filling stations that have featured here at the end of this article) most of them were built quickly and without particular thought to their appearance; certainly in more recent decades.
thebeautyoftransport.com
August 25, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Architectural photographer Philip Butler's new book "226 Garages and Service Stations" is out imminently, and Britain's garages have never looked so good. #TheBeautyOfTransport talks to Philip about the book, car-related roadside architecture, and his approach to architectural photography.
I miss this too. It was just such a pretty time.
Nostalgia is a toxic impulse but also I miss the time when tech trends were things like "let's put everything in a translucent colored plastic case" instead of "let's add software to everything that lies and also accelerates climate change"
August 20, 2025 at 5:37 PM
I miss this too. It was just such a pretty time.
Wilfully contrarian to the end, #TheBeautyOfTransport explains why Thanet Parkway (yes, the 'ugly' one) isn't nearly so bad as most people seem to think. It's the plucky little station that could, built while endless consultations took place, costs rose and a pandemic raged.
How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Thanet Parkway (Thanet Parkway, Kent, UK)
Thanet Parkway station opened on 31 July 2023, and promptly broke quite a few people's brains. I can remember my Twitter feed (as was) being awash with commentators deriding its appearance. Even now, a simple web search will quickly turn up adjectives like "ugly", "hideous", "bloody ugly" and "incredibly dull-looking". ↑ Thanet Parkway. Photo by Daniel Wright [CC BY-NC-ND 4.0…
thebeautyoftransport.com
August 13, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Wilfully contrarian to the end, #TheBeautyOfTransport explains why Thanet Parkway (yes, the 'ugly' one) isn't nearly so bad as most people seem to think. It's the plucky little station that could, built while endless consultations took place, costs rose and a pandemic raged.
Reposted by Daniel Wright
Six years since I started to photograph old garages across Britain, I’m delighted to announce publication of a book collecting together the best examples.
226 Garages and Service Stations is out in FUEL in September. Available from wherever you buy your books.
fuel-design.com/publishing/2...
226 Garages and Service Stations is out in FUEL in September. Available from wherever you buy your books.
fuel-design.com/publishing/2...
August 7, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Six years since I started to photograph old garages across Britain, I’m delighted to announce publication of a book collecting together the best examples.
226 Garages and Service Stations is out in FUEL in September. Available from wherever you buy your books.
fuel-design.com/publishing/2...
226 Garages and Service Stations is out in FUEL in September. Available from wherever you buy your books.
fuel-design.com/publishing/2...
ICYMI - new article on the website about the latest revisions to Network Rail's "Wayfinding" design manual, with input from @doublearrow64.bsky.social. And watch a video of the lovely new wayfinding signs being installed at Clapham Junction here: vimeo.com/1095076736?m...
July 24, 2025 at 9:00 AM
ICYMI - new article on the website about the latest revisions to Network Rail's "Wayfinding" design manual, with input from @doublearrow64.bsky.social. And watch a video of the lovely new wayfinding signs being installed at Clapham Junction here: vimeo.com/1095076736?m...
Breaking down the changes to Network Rail's wayfinding standards in version 3 of its "Wayfinding" design manual - #TheBeautyOfTransport gets all the detail from graphic/typographic designer Nick Job.
A Change of Course – Honing Network Rail’s Wayfinding Guidance
Finding your way around a Network Rail station is becoming another step easier. The publication of the most recent version of Network Rail's Wayfinding design manual represents the latest step in the company's quest to design the best possible signage system for stations. Given the ongoing moves towards re-integrating large parts of the railway network into the new publicly-owned Great British Railways (GBR) organisation, it is a timely update.
thebeautyoftransport.com
July 23, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Breaking down the changes to Network Rail's wayfinding standards in version 3 of its "Wayfinding" design manual - #TheBeautyOfTransport gets all the detail from graphic/typographic designer Nick Job.
I am increasingly convinced that the most useful thing classmates and I were taught at school (in Junior yr 2 / yr 4 in the new money) was to use a calculator with our non-dominant hand at the same time as writing with our dominant hands. Our (visionary, it turns out) teacher Mrs Jones insisted.
June 9, 2025 at 1:24 PM
I am increasingly convinced that the most useful thing classmates and I were taught at school (in Junior yr 2 / yr 4 in the new money) was to use a calculator with our non-dominant hand at the same time as writing with our dominant hands. Our (visionary, it turns out) teacher Mrs Jones insisted.
General, erm, events have caused me to recall an extraordinary BBC one-off drama from 1993 but set in 2013: “Europe on the Brink”. Done docu-style, it imagined a Europe walled off from immigrants and about to go to war with a declining America. Phew! Dodged that.
genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/0a65ac6e3f66...
genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/0a65ac6e3f66...
BBC Programme Index
genome.ch.bbc.co.uk
May 3, 2025 at 8:41 PM
General, erm, events have caused me to recall an extraordinary BBC one-off drama from 1993 but set in 2013: “Europe on the Brink”. Done docu-style, it imagined a Europe walled off from immigrants and about to go to war with a declining America. Phew! Dodged that.
genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/0a65ac6e3f66...
genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/0a65ac6e3f66...
A random thought occurs. Perhaps people (including me) might not be so down on the architecture (or lack thereof) at some recent British railway stations if we still called the small ones "... Halt". Maybe "Ashington Halt", "Thanet Parkway Halt" etc. would have tempered expectations?
May 1, 2025 at 3:02 PM
A random thought occurs. Perhaps people (including me) might not be so down on the architecture (or lack thereof) at some recent British railway stations if we still called the small ones "... Halt". Maybe "Ashington Halt", "Thanet Parkway Halt" etc. would have tempered expectations?
I know that any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic, but this article just further convinces me that LED lighting is little short of modern witchcraft. Endless reliable illumination that consumes virtually no electricity. A remarkable invention.
King's Cross tube station gets brighter
www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/kin...
If you've noticed that King's Cross tube station has been a bit brighter recently, you're not wrong—it is.
www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/kin...
If you've noticed that King's Cross tube station has been a bit brighter recently, you're not wrong—it is.
King's Cross tube station gets brighter
If you've noticed that King's Cross tube station has been a bit brighter recently, you're not wrong—it is.
www.ianvisits.co.uk
April 17, 2025 at 11:58 AM
I know that any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic, but this article just further convinces me that LED lighting is little short of modern witchcraft. Endless reliable illumination that consumes virtually no electricity. A remarkable invention.
Reposted by Daniel Wright
We're 40 this year & celebrating with a free travelling exhibition - 40 Years of Transformation - at London Waterloo (7-18 Apr), Bristol Temple Meads (23 Apr - 2 May), Aberystwyth VoRR (7-16 May), York Stn (19-30 May) & Edb Waverley (2-13 June). Knaresborough is featured.
March 29, 2025 at 1:50 PM
We're 40 this year & celebrating with a free travelling exhibition - 40 Years of Transformation - at London Waterloo (7-18 Apr), Bristol Temple Meads (23 Apr - 2 May), Aberystwyth VoRR (7-16 May), York Stn (19-30 May) & Edb Waverley (2-13 June). Knaresborough is featured.
Surely one of the most thrilling light rail moments available in the UK (definitely), mainland Europe (probably) if not the world (maybe): crossing the Tyne from tunnel to bridge to tunnel again on the Tyne and Wear Metro. Spectacular, and somehow inconceivable we could aspire to similar today.
March 26, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Surely one of the most thrilling light rail moments available in the UK (definitely), mainland Europe (probably) if not the world (maybe): crossing the Tyne from tunnel to bridge to tunnel again on the Tyne and Wear Metro. Spectacular, and somehow inconceivable we could aspire to similar today.
Reposted by Daniel Wright
Very few — if any — pneumatic tube detectors for traffic signals remain on Britain’s roads. This one in Battersea Park isn’t in use any more, but clearly shows the form of the detector. A rare survivor, and with the adjacent manhole cover.
March 25, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Very few — if any — pneumatic tube detectors for traffic signals remain on Britain’s roads. This one in Battersea Park isn’t in use any more, but clearly shows the form of the detector. A rare survivor, and with the adjacent manhole cover.
This was one of my favourite ever @garius.bsky.social pieces (amidst strong competition), because it changed the way I looked at Twitter and helped me understand its decline. It was after reading this that I started seriously thinking about where to go instead...
Had a tech bro tell me this morning that I need to go away and learn about the Trust Thermocline, to understand why emotive products like Twitter fail slowly then suddenly.
I pointed out I am fully aware of the Trust Thermocline. On account of being the chap who created it
every.to/p/breaching-...
I pointed out I am fully aware of the Trust Thermocline. On account of being the chap who created it
every.to/p/breaching-...
Breaching the Trust Thermocline Is the Biggest Hidden Risk in Business
Companies have no way back from a sudden loss of trust
every.to
March 22, 2025 at 12:25 PM
This was one of my favourite ever @garius.bsky.social pieces (amidst strong competition), because it changed the way I looked at Twitter and helped me understand its decline. It was after reading this that I started seriously thinking about where to go instead...
I stayed in a hotel last weekend and this happened. I for one welcome our new vacuum cleaning robot overlords.
March 18, 2025 at 10:13 PM
I stayed in a hotel last weekend and this happened. I for one welcome our new vacuum cleaning robot overlords.
It is nearly 11pm and I’m waiting to get on board the Aberdeen ferry on my way to tomorrow’s Community Rail Awards in the far South (Newcastle Upon Tyne). I’m proud to say that this year I’m attending as a judge of three categories. See all you #CommunityRail-ers tomorrow! #CRA25
March 12, 2025 at 10:56 PM
It is nearly 11pm and I’m waiting to get on board the Aberdeen ferry on my way to tomorrow’s Community Rail Awards in the far South (Newcastle Upon Tyne). I’m proud to say that this year I’m attending as a judge of three categories. See all you #CommunityRail-ers tomorrow! #CRA25
Do you like LIBRARIES? Victorian FEMINIST CHILDREN? Handmade ANTIQUARIAN BOOKS? Then this story from #Orkney Library and Archive has everything your heart desires.
Orkney Library & Archive is a library AND an archive but did you know about the miniature library that is stored IN the archive?
Read on to find out more about the incredible Minervian Library, created by a group of young children in #Orkney more than 160 years ago.
Read on to find out more about the incredible Minervian Library, created by a group of young children in #Orkney more than 160 years ago.
March 12, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Do you like LIBRARIES? Victorian FEMINIST CHILDREN? Handmade ANTIQUARIAN BOOKS? Then this story from #Orkney Library and Archive has everything your heart desires.
Reposted by Daniel Wright
Today we're in Glasgow, joining our #CommunityRail and rail industry colleagues at the #RailScotland conference, exploring key priorities for Scotland's railway, resilience to climate change and connecting communities across the country’s railways 🚉 #ConnectingScotland
March 4, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Today we're in Glasgow, joining our #CommunityRail and rail industry colleagues at the #RailScotland conference, exploring key priorities for Scotland's railway, resilience to climate change and connecting communities across the country’s railways 🚉 #ConnectingScotland
Reposted by Daniel Wright
New Video!
This one's all about Labour's nationalisation plans for the railways, containing all you need to know from the future of open access, to the role for devolved nations and mayoral authorities!
I put a lot of effort into it so would really appreciate any support:
youtu.be/wMlpkUefQIk
This one's all about Labour's nationalisation plans for the railways, containing all you need to know from the future of open access, to the role for devolved nations and mayoral authorities!
I put a lot of effort into it so would really appreciate any support:
youtu.be/wMlpkUefQIk
Great British Railways Takes Major Step Forward: 2025 Nationalisation Update
YouTube video by Network News
youtu.be
March 2, 2025 at 11:37 AM
New Video!
This one's all about Labour's nationalisation plans for the railways, containing all you need to know from the future of open access, to the role for devolved nations and mayoral authorities!
I put a lot of effort into it so would really appreciate any support:
youtu.be/wMlpkUefQIk
This one's all about Labour's nationalisation plans for the railways, containing all you need to know from the future of open access, to the role for devolved nations and mayoral authorities!
I put a lot of effort into it so would really appreciate any support:
youtu.be/wMlpkUefQIk
The logic is unarguable and has been ever since the first Overground lines. I did enjoy @ianvisits.co.uk note that, "The report is full of aspirations, but little detail about what practical plans are in place to deliver them," which sounds like far too much transport planning in this country.
Mayor of London eyes Great Northern and Southeastern rail takeover
www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/may...
The Mayor of London's new growth plan, announced this morning, reiterates his ambition to take over the Southeastern and Great Northern railways.
www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/may...
The Mayor of London's new growth plan, announced this morning, reiterates his ambition to take over the Southeastern and Great Northern railways.
Mayor of London eyes Great Northern and Southeastern rail takeover
The Mayor of London's new growth plan, announced this morning, reiterates his ambition to take over the Southeastern and Great Northern railways.
www.ianvisits.co.uk
February 27, 2025 at 10:59 AM
The logic is unarguable and has been ever since the first Overground lines. I did enjoy @ianvisits.co.uk note that, "The report is full of aspirations, but little detail about what practical plans are in place to deliver them," which sounds like far too much transport planning in this country.
The Railways of #Orkney, part 5 of an occasional series (haven't done one for a while). On North Ronaldsay pier, this 100-yard railway, standard gauge, was for launching the mail boat. I don't really understand this; maybe it was like launching Fireball XL5. More here: canmore.org.uk/site/3676/no...
February 24, 2025 at 12:50 PM
The Railways of #Orkney, part 5 of an occasional series (haven't done one for a while). On North Ronaldsay pier, this 100-yard railway, standard gauge, was for launching the mail boat. I don't really understand this; maybe it was like launching Fireball XL5. More here: canmore.org.uk/site/3676/no...
Do all cats like mayonnaise or is it just mine?
February 20, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Do all cats like mayonnaise or is it just mine?
Fellow fans of Pip the Tugboat might be as pleased as I was to see that the big real-life tugboats were in Stromness Harbour today.
February 18, 2025 at 10:49 PM
Fellow fans of Pip the Tugboat might be as pleased as I was to see that the big real-life tugboats were in Stromness Harbour today.