Philip Butler

Thanks Joshua 🙏. Really hope you enjoy it.

A colour photograph of the cover of Trackside Transformation

Great to get a copy of Trackside Transformation, a guide to the evolution of British Mainline station from 1923-47 by Philip Butler and Daniel Wright, this week. Really looking forward to digging in. You can preorder a copy here artdecomagpie.bigcartel.com/product/pre-...

@thebeautyoftransport.com my copy of Trackside Transformation turned up today. It is a truly tremendous work, I can’t think of a superlative sufficient enough. The pictures are stunning, the information amazing. Far, far more detailed than I had expected. Brilliant work both of you!

Thanks Alan, that’s really kind of you. I’m delighted you’re pleased with the book! 🙏

Something I will no doubt be spamming all over your timelines nearer the event, but if you want to get in early, I'm doing a talk for @artdecosocuk.bsky.social about Grouping-era mainline stations, based on my and @artdecomagpie.bsky.social's recent book. Tickets via artdecosociety.uk/events-2/

I would like to echo Philip's comments. Thank you so much to everyone who has (to my great relief) shown it's not just us two that think the mainline stations of the Grouping era deserve their time in the spotlight. Your support means a lot to us and we hope you enjoy the book!

A huge thanks to everyone who backed our Kickstarter, which ended today. We hope you enjoy the book.

Horsham station, West Sussex (1938) / Southern Railway

The Cheshire Lines Committee opened three stations during the Grouping era. Only tiny Chassen station survives. This is @artdecomagpie.bsky.social's portrait of it - the only photo in this thread from the book. If you want to see the rest of his photos, you'll just have to buy the book I'm afraid.

Thank you so much Peter! 🙏

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

www.kickstarter.com/projects/art...

Just one week left to back Trackside Transformation on Kickstarter.

If you’re interested in railway stations or interwar architecture, it won’t disappoint.

Very kind as always pal! 🙏

Kingston upon Thames station (1935). Designed and built by The Southern Railway.

...the surviving jewel in the crown, Doncaster. Recently benefitting from a @railwayheritage.bsky.social / LNER (the current version) restoration including a landscaped forecourt instead of the previous dismal car park. This is @artdecomagpie.bsky.social's portrait, from the book.

Let's look at stations built by the LNER (Grouping version 1923-47, not today's TOC!). (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 nice saving on the cover price at: kck.st/3YjDPIO) 1/11

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

This is Leamington Spa, and the only picture in this thread from the book, as is obvious from the fact that it's the best image. If you want to see
@artdecomagpie.bsky.social's lovely photos of the other stations, I'm afraid you'll just have to buy the book.

Woking station, Surrey (1937) / Southern Railway

Side entrance and bridge at Bishopstone station, East Sussex

Is it going to built out of shipping containers, or just designed to look like it is?! Nice high entrance for anyone over 9ft tall though. Handy.

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

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)

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

A huge thanks to everyone who has backed our Kickstarter so far. We hit the base target yesterday, which is really gratifying. 🙏🙂 It runs until February 8th, so plenty of time to get involved if 20s and 30s railway stations are your thing.

Photo: Havant station, Hampshire (1938) / Southern Railway.

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.

Thanks so much to @ianvisits.co.uk for covering @artdecomagpie.bsky.social’s and my new book Trackside Transformation on mainline station architecture of the Grouping era.

Very kind Dan 😊

Thanks! 🙏

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...