The Beauty of Transport
@thebeautyoftransport.com
Examples, opinions, thoughts, retweets of transport art/architecture/design/branding/logos/liveries/moquettes etc from The Beauty of Transport’s @danielhwright.bsky.social Long form articles at:
www.thebeautyoftransport.com
www.thebeautyoftransport.com
All three have since been lost (as so often with Grouping-era stations) but Unit 1 survived until c.2009 at West Hampstead, although not in great condition (also as so often with Grouping-era stations). You can just see it here on platform 1. [Photo from commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:We...
January 14, 2026 at 10:17 AM
All three have since been lost (as so often with Grouping-era stations) but Unit 1 survived until c.2009 at West Hampstead, although not in great condition (also as so often with Grouping-era stations). You can just see it here on platform 1. [Photo from commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:We...
The LMS was the only one of the Big Four to build/rebuild significant numbers of stations in Scotland. Sadly most of them were small commuter stations of, er, limited architectural merit. Girvan, completed post-nationalisation was the exception, and there's a lovely photo of it in the book.
January 14, 2026 at 10:17 AM
The LMS was the only one of the Big Four to build/rebuild significant numbers of stations in Scotland. Sadly most of them were small commuter stations of, er, limited architectural merit. Girvan, completed post-nationalisation was the exception, and there's a lovely photo of it in the book.
The most famous individual LMS work is probably Leeds, where a stunning Art Deco concourse combined two stations into one. This is the only picture in this thread from the book. If you want to see @artdecomagpie.bsky.social's lovely photos of the other stations, you'll just have to buy the book.
January 14, 2026 at 10:17 AM
The most famous individual LMS work is probably Leeds, where a stunning Art Deco concourse combined two stations into one. This is the only picture in this thread from the book. If you want to see @artdecomagpie.bsky.social's lovely photos of the other stations, you'll just have to buy the book.
The most famous group of stations built/rebuilt by the LMS are on the Wirral, part of an electrification programme. Although well known locally and by railway architecture fans they are not otherwise much known. I have come to the conclusion that this is mainly because they are in The North.
January 14, 2026 at 10:17 AM
The most famous group of stations built/rebuilt by the LMS are on the Wirral, part of an electrification programme. Although well known locally and by railway architecture fans they are not otherwise much known. I have come to the conclusion that this is mainly because they are in The North.
The LMS's extension to Leicester survived until 2024 and was captured by Street View, but was demolished to make way for improvements to the station. Unfortunately the council hadn't thought to find a contractor to actually do the improvements, which are now delayed. (www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...)
January 14, 2026 at 10:17 AM
The LMS's extension to Leicester survived until 2024 and was captured by Street View, but was demolished to make way for improvements to the station. Unfortunately the council hadn't thought to find a contractor to actually do the improvements, which are now delayed. (www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...)
Let's look at stations built by the London, Midland & Scottish Railway (1923-47).
(Of course this is partly a plug for new book #TracksideTransformation by
@artdecomagpie.bsky.social
and me which profiles survivors: pre-order your copy for a saving on the cover price at: kck.st/3YjDPIO) 1/11
(Of course this is partly a plug for new book #TracksideTransformation by
@artdecomagpie.bsky.social
and me which profiles survivors: pre-order your copy for a saving on the cover price at: kck.st/3YjDPIO) 1/11
January 14, 2026 at 10:17 AM
Let's look at stations built by the London, Midland & Scottish Railway (1923-47).
(Of course this is partly a plug for new book #TracksideTransformation by
@artdecomagpie.bsky.social
and me which profiles survivors: pre-order your copy for a saving on the cover price at: kck.st/3YjDPIO) 1/11
(Of course this is partly a plug for new book #TracksideTransformation by
@artdecomagpie.bsky.social
and me which profiles survivors: pre-order your copy for a saving on the cover price at: kck.st/3YjDPIO) 1/11
Served by boat trains, the Continental Booking Office handled interchange between Southern trains and ferries, but had all the facilities of a traditional station. It had design cues repeated at other Southern stations but was demolished in 2012 despite local efforts to get it listed.
8/9
8/9
January 8, 2026 at 11:02 AM
Served by boat trains, the Continental Booking Office handled interchange between Southern trains and ferries, but had all the facilities of a traditional station. It had design cues repeated at other Southern stations but was demolished in 2012 despite local efforts to get it listed.
8/9
8/9
But this coffee shop, perhaps, is one of the most extraordinary of all. Captured by Street View as late as 2011, it was originally the Continental Booking Office. It was built by the Southern in 1925 to enhance passenger facilities at 9 Berth in Southampton Docks (then owned by the Southern).
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7/9
January 8, 2026 at 11:02 AM
But this coffee shop, perhaps, is one of the most extraordinary of all. Captured by Street View as late as 2011, it was originally the Continental Booking Office. It was built by the Southern in 1925 to enhance passenger facilities at 9 Berth in Southampton Docks (then owned by the Southern).
7/9
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So too is Wimbledon Chase, one of the very earliest Modernist stations built on the mainline. Its concave-fronted main building with flanking retail units was completely new and radical on the mainline railway. It has been left to decay, and the proposal is to replace it with a block of flats.
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January 8, 2026 at 11:02 AM
So too is Wimbledon Chase, one of the very earliest Modernist stations built on the mainline. Its concave-fronted main building with flanking retail units was completely new and radical on the mainline railway. It has been left to decay, and the proposal is to replace it with a block of flats.
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6/9
Stoneleigh is an extraordinary station, uncompromising (ugly?) on the outside, a time capsule of a Southern Railway decorative scheme on the inside. It had its functions replaced by a new accessible footbridge and ticket office in 2025. It is now on the waiting list for demolition.
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January 8, 2026 at 11:02 AM
Stoneleigh is an extraordinary station, uncompromising (ugly?) on the outside, a time capsule of a Southern Railway decorative scheme on the inside. It had its functions replaced by a new accessible footbridge and ticket office in 2025. It is now on the waiting list for demolition.
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5/9
Quite a few of the Southern's stations were small. Motspur Park's buildings were demolished in 2023 as part of an Access for All project while the similar Hinchley Wood (photo via commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hi...) was demolished in 2016.
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January 8, 2026 at 11:02 AM
Quite a few of the Southern's stations were small. Motspur Park's buildings were demolished in 2023 as part of an Access for All project while the similar Hinchley Wood (photo via commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hi...) was demolished in 2016.
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4/9
Here's Epsom on Street View in 2009, looking as well cared for as you'd expect it to, given that it was about to be demolished. It was one of the earliest Modernist stations built by a mainline railway company.
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January 8, 2026 at 11:02 AM
Here's Epsom on Street View in 2009, looking as well cared for as you'd expect it to, given that it was about to be demolished. It was one of the earliest Modernist stations built by a mainline railway company.
3/9
3/9
Let's talk about stations built by the Southern Railway (1923-47) but rather than happy survivors, some which have been lost or are under threat.
(Of course this is partly a plug for new book #TracksideTransformation by @artdecomagpie.bsky.social and me which profiles survivors: kck.st/3YjDPIO) 1/9
(Of course this is partly a plug for new book #TracksideTransformation by @artdecomagpie.bsky.social and me which profiles survivors: kck.st/3YjDPIO) 1/9
January 8, 2026 at 11:02 AM
Let's talk about stations built by the Southern Railway (1923-47) but rather than happy survivors, some which have been lost or are under threat.
(Of course this is partly a plug for new book #TracksideTransformation by @artdecomagpie.bsky.social and me which profiles survivors: kck.st/3YjDPIO) 1/9
(Of course this is partly a plug for new book #TracksideTransformation by @artdecomagpie.bsky.social and me which profiles survivors: kck.st/3YjDPIO) 1/9
Also, the fact they are spread out across the whole country, rather than in one city, tends to dilute the architectural impact of the estate. But there are some real gems. Some are well known (Surbiton), while others remain much less so (Waddon).
January 7, 2026 at 10:31 AM
Also, the fact they are spread out across the whole country, rather than in one city, tends to dilute the architectural impact of the estate. But there are some real gems. Some are well known (Surbiton), while others remain much less so (Waddon).
Sometimes with LU's architects (e.g. East Finchley). See that oval space in the windows? Originally housed an LNER logo. It was their station while it was rebuilt, and only after that did it transfer to LU, and LNER trains still called there. [Image via commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ea... ]
January 7, 2026 at 10:31 AM
Sometimes with LU's architects (e.g. East Finchley). See that oval space in the windows? Originally housed an LNER logo. It was their station while it was rebuilt, and only after that did it transfer to LU, and LNER trains still called there. [Image via commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ea... ]
It's slightly complicated by the fact that the Big Four (GWR, LMS, LNER, SR) worked with London Underground on a number of mainline stations intended to transfer to LU in the near future. Sometimes with their own architects (e.g. Loughton)...
January 7, 2026 at 10:31 AM
It's slightly complicated by the fact that the Big Four (GWR, LMS, LNER, SR) worked with London Underground on a number of mainline stations intended to transfer to LU in the near future. Sometimes with their own architects (e.g. Loughton)...
The absolute state that Luton has been allowed to get into since, well, about 1948 onwards helps explain why mainline stations from the Grouping era are less appreciated that Tube stations from the same time period. Hastings got so bad it was demolished in 2004. Others have deteriorated badly too.
January 7, 2026 at 10:31 AM
The absolute state that Luton has been allowed to get into since, well, about 1948 onwards helps explain why mainline stations from the Grouping era are less appreciated that Tube stations from the same time period. Hastings got so bad it was demolished in 2004. Others have deteriorated badly too.
I thought it might be interesting to share some of the background to #TracksideTransformation (pre-order your copy at a discount on cover price at kck.st/3YjDPIO). I grew up in Luton (LMS station, 1939) and Hastings (Southern station, 1931). I'm very fond of Grouping-era stations.
January 7, 2026 at 10:31 AM
I thought it might be interesting to share some of the background to #TracksideTransformation (pre-order your copy at a discount on cover price at kck.st/3YjDPIO). I grew up in Luton (LMS station, 1939) and Hastings (Southern station, 1931). I'm very fond of Grouping-era stations.
Been working on the StationHeritageArtefacts.org.uk website. Sadly this absolutely splendid pair of newel posts with their maker's marks in very good condition, don't qualify as the footbridge they are attached to is some way from Bognor Regis station. But I liked them so much I thought I'd share.
January 1, 2026 at 11:33 AM
Been working on the StationHeritageArtefacts.org.uk website. Sadly this absolutely splendid pair of newel posts with their maker's marks in very good condition, don't qualify as the footbridge they are attached to is some way from Bognor Regis station. But I liked them so much I thought I'd share.
A good point well made - I had missed it amongst the other livery nonsense. Whatever the typeface of the GBR logotype is, it's not Rail Alphabet 2. What a wasted opportunity.
(Image source: www.gov.uk/guidance/gre...)
(Image source: www.gov.uk/guidance/gre...)
December 23, 2025 at 9:41 AM
A good point well made - I had missed it amongst the other livery nonsense. Whatever the typeface of the GBR logotype is, it's not Rail Alphabet 2. What a wasted opportunity.
(Image source: www.gov.uk/guidance/gre...)
(Image source: www.gov.uk/guidance/gre...)
New on the Stations Heritage Artefacts website is @tarkaman.bsky.social's (thank you!) image of the plaque on the 10,000th ECML electrification mast, at Grantham (stationheritageartefacts.org.uk/artefacts-re...).
Contribute your own favourite artefacts: stationheritageartefacts.org.uk/join-in/
Contribute your own favourite artefacts: stationheritageartefacts.org.uk/join-in/
December 10, 2025 at 12:15 PM
New on the Stations Heritage Artefacts website is @tarkaman.bsky.social's (thank you!) image of the plaque on the 10,000th ECML electrification mast, at Grantham (stationheritageartefacts.org.uk/artefacts-re...).
Contribute your own favourite artefacts: stationheritageartefacts.org.uk/join-in/
Contribute your own favourite artefacts: stationheritageartefacts.org.uk/join-in/
Why isn't the double arrow symbol aligned so its horizontal bars match the x-height of the text (as patiently explained in the latest Network Rail wayfinding design manual)? Could this be a tweak between now and real life livery application? [image from the BBC News website] 8/9
December 9, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Why isn't the double arrow symbol aligned so its horizontal bars match the x-height of the text (as patiently explained in the latest Network Rail wayfinding design manual)? Could this be a tweak between now and real life livery application? [image from the BBC News website] 8/9
Oh gawd, I suppose I'm obliged to have a take on the Great British Railways livery/branding unveiled today [image from the BBC news website]. Well then, here's a thread. First off, my hot take is that as usual I don't really have one. 1/9
December 9, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Oh gawd, I suppose I'm obliged to have a take on the Great British Railways livery/branding unveiled today [image from the BBC news website]. Well then, here's a thread. First off, my hot take is that as usual I don't really have one. 1/9
Coulsdon Town a recent and slightly surprising entry in the Big Double Arrow stake, but I must say @garethdennis.uk yours is fabulous.
November 18, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Coulsdon Town a recent and slightly surprising entry in the Big Double Arrow stake, but I must say @garethdennis.uk yours is fabulous.
Just out of interest, what is the story behind the station signs at Enfield Chase? Are they unique?. Usual thing: the sooner RA2 signage is rolled out (properly!) across as much of the station estate as possible, the better.
October 22, 2025 at 9:18 AM
Just out of interest, what is the story behind the station signs at Enfield Chase? Are they unique?. Usual thing: the sooner RA2 signage is rolled out (properly!) across as much of the station estate as possible, the better.