Publicity Gallery

The River Thames at Whitchurch, near Pangbourne, c1890

A view taken across the Mill Pond from the toll bridge in Whitchurch on Thames. Red brick cottages sit on the water's edge, next to the old mill, just out of shot to the left. The tower of St Mary's church can be seen in the centre of the image. This photo was produced by Photochrom and was used as a carriage print by the Great Western Railway in the late 1800s

© STEAM Museum of the GWR

Winter in the West publicity guide, 1933

This publicity brochure was produced by the GWR in 1933. It was designed by Leonard Cusden and used to promote winter holiday destinations. By the 1930s the GWR were using strong stylised images in their promotional campaigns. Exotic imagery was popular amongst Art Deco designers. The pier in the background of this image is reminiscent of a Chinese pagoda with the surrounding black trees adding a touch of the Orient

© STEAM Museum of the GWR

Damaged railway lamps, 1942

These rather forlorn looking lamps appeared in an article from the April 1942 edition of the GWR Magazine. The article looks at the daily toll of damaged and lost locomotive equipment and it called upon employees to make a positive contribution to this loss and damage. During the war there was a shortage of raw materials and unnecessary repairs or replacements took its toll on resources. For example, over 200 lamps a week were arriving at Swindon Works for repair. It was considered an employee's "National Duty" to keep the nation's transport system running smoothly