Modern Railwayana A growth area Buying and collecting nameplates and station signs from both the pre- and post-Privatisation era is gaining popularity. Jack Boskett looks at the background and its appeal.
W
e have all heard of the saying “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure”, and certainly among the railway fraternity, this can often be the case. Like many industries, when a particular item has served its purpose, it ends up in the bin or a skip and will be disposed of accordingly. Many railway enthusiasts are likely to have some form of relic in their collection somewhere, it could be in the form of a modern poster, or travel mug with a train operating company logo printed on the side, or it may be an antique from the 1840s such as a GWR clock. Today the world of railwayana is becoming even more popular. There are a host of specialist auction houses taking the reins in this field with
regular sales of items ranging from hand lamps through totems to nameplates. Such nameplates, particularly unique ones, are sought after by enthusiasts, yet unbeknown to the general public, each name has a meaning behind it.
Aladdin’s cave
Many of us remember, and probably visited at some point, the British Rail shop which opened in November 1969 around the corner from London Euston station in Cardington Street and known as Collectors’ Corner. It was an Aladdin’s cave for everything railway related and stocked a plethora of items; totems, enamel and cast irons signs, locomotive nameplates, clocks, signalling equipment, old uniforms, lamps, and ephemera
Only a self-confessed railway enthusiast and railwayana collector could have a bedroom like this! A great mix of signs from BR and London Underground, plus other memorabilia.
