Daniel Wright

I don’t blame the media for repeating GWR’s claim that its class 230 is “the UK’s first battery-only powered train” (news.gwr.com/news/great-w...) but - and I’m sure I’m not the first to point this out - the Derby Lightweight BEMU from 1958 would like a word.

Had to press ♥️, wanted a 😬 button to press.

Let's look at stations built by the Great Western Railway (post-Grouping version 1923-47).
(Of course this is partly a plug for new book #TracksideTransformation by
@artdecomagpie.bsky.social and me which profiles survivors: pre-order yours for a saving on the cover price at: kck.st/3YjDPIO) 1/11

Best place in the world to be stuck (obvs biased) - I absolutely love it here. You learn to just roll with whatever the sky throws at you, in the end. Enjoy your visit!

Well, the weather here in Stromness was glorious today. Tomorrow looks reasonable too but the rest of the week looks slightly blowy. I recommend the electric Ember bus over Stagecoach from Inverness to Scrabster but however you get here, safe and happy travels!

Side entrance and bridge at Bishopstone station, East Sussex

Signal box, Portsmouth Harbour station (1946) / Southern Railway

Yes, but unlike IC225 the intermediate trailer cars would have been articulated throughout.

Curved concrete canopies on a chilly winter morning - Tolworth station.

Footbridge at Exeter St Davids station, showing original GWR tiling (1938), and murals by Bridget Hall (1992)

From the same book, thought of you when I saw the state of the double arrow on this Brush pre-production model of the Class 89. Interesting treatment of the Inter-City livery too.

If you want to know how likely it is that the latest Northern Powerhouse Rail scheme will be delivered, let alone the Birmingham-Manchester line alleged to follow on from that, go and stand on the platforms at Leicester station and ask where the overhead line electrification equipment is.

"...and secondly because they were never built they never received any bad publicity".

Today, of course, we get paper railways rather than paper trains. Good for a media round, can't offend people by compulsorily purchasing their house, or making a noise moving earth. Easy to cancel later.

This, from the definitive history of the APT ("APT A Promise Unfulfilled" by Hugh Williams) resonates today.

"...the APT-S proposal marked the beginning of a series of 'paper APTs' which had two big advantages for BR. Firstly the trains could be designed and developed cheaply and quickly..."

Depends if the lads are a permanent fixture at the station or just temporary - e.g. does the station's Grade II listing cover them?

That is so true!

A Mainline Station Heritage Artefacts Collection Celebrating railway history through sharing photos of heritage artefacts at British railway stations, old and new

Today's artefacts records added to www.stationheritageartefacts.org.uk are:
- East Midlands Parkway
- Eastleigh
- Edinburgh Gateway
- Edinburgh Park
- Effingham Junction
- Haymarket
Submit artefacts you've found at stations: stationheritageartefacts.org.uk/join-in/

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

Amongst my favourite photos from the book. But it was up against some pretty serious competition.

Thank you so much for featuring the book and helping spread the word - we’re very grateful.

Trackside Transformation A book documenting the architectural evolution of British Mainline Railway Stations (1923-1947)

ICYMI - A new book about mainline railway station architecture from the Grouping era 1923-47 by @artdecomagpie.bsky.social (photography) and me (words). Pre-order for a discount: www.kickstarter.com/projects/art...
More details about what's included: thebeautyoftransport.com/2026/01/04/i...

Oh! Thank you very much!

If you just want to go straight for a pre-order on the book (there's a discount on the cover price if you order now) then head for: www.kickstarter.com/projects/art...

Invisible Masterpieces – the Big Four’s Stations 1923-47 (and a book all about them) Have you ever had a project you’ve started on without any idea of the scale of work you’ve just committed to? Well, if you want to know one of the reasons that I haven’t been writ…

I'm excited to announce I've collaborated with photographer Philip Butler (@artdecomagpie.bsky.social) on a book of mainline stations from the Big Four era 1923-47. A treat for lovers of railway Modernism (and Neo-classicism). Full details in article. thebeautyoftransport.com/2026/01/04/i...

Well... survive in the same sense that Roman villa foundations survive under the ground, and then an excited archaeologist uncovers them. But sadly in this case without carefully transferring the finds to the British Museum of Corporate Identities.

Survived at Barking on platform buildings as late as 2022...
stationheritageartefacts.org.uk/artefacts-re...

CATCH-cast 37: Daniel Wright (Beauty Of Transport) - CATCH-cast Can public transport be beautiful? Daniel Wright runs a whole website claiming it certainly can! From architecture to typefaces, posters to tickets...the charm and good design of our buses, stations, ...

I had a lovely time a few days ago talking to @markonthemaps.bsky.social about transport design, aesthetics and its impact on culture. You can hear us on Mark’s podcast (back catalogue highly recommended): www.vectisradio.com/podcasts/cat...

Thanks! Quite a few Northern-served/operated stations in it too.

Thank goodness, I can finally say it. I have written a book! With architectural photographer @artdecomagpie.bsky.social!
See thread below for a link to pre-register with our Kickstarter so that we can actually pay the printers. More details when we launch officially on 4th January.