TV legend Michael Palin brings you this evocative collection of some of the greatest British railway posters from the 1930s, 40s, and 50s, showcasing the stunning graphic design of the period.

Few sights can reawaken memories of happy holidays of yesteryear as vividly as the superb railway posters that were so much a part of the great age of mass rail travel. Between the 1930s and 1950s—regarded by many as the heyday of advertising graphic art—a huge range of posters appeared, bearing slogans proclaiming the attractions of such resorts as “Weston-super-Mare – in Smiling Somerset,” and presenting a colourful picture of Britain at its best.

Through images as diverse as bustling cities, scenes of rural tranquility, and majestic mountain landscapes, these posters offer an escapist paradise where appealingly uncrowded beaches basking in permanent sunshine are just a train journey away.

Now in a beautifully redesigned edition, this nostalgic collection includes over seventy vintage posters from the ’30s, ’40s, and ’50s, created by important graphic artists such as Claude Buckle, Frank Mason, Ronald Lampitt, Jack Merriott, and Sydney Lee. The posters are accompanied by lively and humorous captions from the author that describe the artists and locations and recapture the spirit of the great days of railway holidays and train excursions—an era that is just about within living memory, yet part of a bygone age.

About The Author

Michael Palin is a beloved writer, broadcaster, and former member of the Monty Python team. He is a huge railway enthusiast, contributing to the BBC’s Great Railway Journeys, along with many series of his own, including Around the World in 80 Days, Pole to Pole, Himalaya, and Full Circle.