I have a confession. I am the granddaughter of bonafide trainspotter. My dear Grandad did like his trains (he even had a vinyl record of train noises) and my brother and I spent many a weekend in our youth visiting vintage steam railways with him. I also think my Mum might like trains a little more than she would be willing admit!
Embarrassment aside, I think this has pre-disposed me to have an unusual appreciation of transport-related design. I have discovered that there are an amazing array of vintage and retro inspired collections out there, and I wanted to share a few of my favourites with you.
The Transport for London shop is a guilty pleasure of mine. Their Design Collection features a number of vintage and contemporary designs, nearly all of which I would very much like to own. I confess I do already have the placemats from their New London Skyline Collection as well as the plates from the Silhouettes of London Collection by Snowden Flood which I have mentioned in a previous post. I have also just treated myself to a Mini Moderns ‘Hold Tight’ tea towel.
New London Skyline Collection
- ‘Hold Tight’ Mini Moderns Tea Towel
Other objects with a distinctly retro feel which have caught my eye include:
Trellick Tower Tea Towel by People Will Always Need Plates
I have been also very excited to discover you can know purchase your very own Underground sign or heritage rail sign, although I think you would have to be feeling quite flush to actually order one!
The London Transport Museum shop also sells a number of these objects, together with an incredible archive of Underground posters and artwork which chart the history of London’s growth throughout the 20th century.
Another source of transport-related artwork my Dad recently introduced me to is the Science and Society Picture Library which is the official print sales website of the Science Museum, National Railway Museum and the National Media Museum. I bought my Mum a Peak District Railway poster for Christmas which shows one of her favourite spots – Monsal Head - a now redundant railway viaduct which was on the route of the London, Midland, Scottish Railway.
I hope this short post has offered some inspiration to your inner transport geek – we are all one secretly, right?!
