Some Modern Railway Poster Nostalgia

I’m sure I’m not alone in loving those old vintage ‘Railway Posters’, the type with a beautiful painting of a location designed to encourage tourism by rail. The artwork was commissioned by the Railway companies and they displayed on posters, often with a slogan such as ‘It’s Quicker by Rail’ as they promoted domestic tourism from the end of the 19th century through into the 20th.

Modern Railway Poster showing Saltburn by Mackenzie Thorpe which is on Display at Middlesbrough Railway Station
Modern Railway Poster showing Saltburn by Mackenzie Thorpe which is on Display at Middlesbrough Railway Station

So imagine my delight when I recently visited Middlesbrough Railway Station to find a series of ‘modern’ versions on display by artist Mackenzie Thorpe. I loved the nostalgic feel of them, and not in the way some of the old children’s books have been updated with a twist of modern humour, but pure and simple nostalgia. Thorpe grew up in the area and you can feel a love of the places depicted in the posters.  Nostalgia can sometimes be used in a derogatory sense within art but with these, I found it delightful.

Modern Railway Poster showing shipbuilding and titled 'Land of Giants' by Mackenzie Thorpe which is on Display at Middlesbrough Railway Station
Modern Railway Poster showing shipbuilding and titled ‘Land of Giants’ by Mackenzie Thorpe which is on Display at Middlesbrough Railway Station
Modern Railway Poster titled 'Early Morning Train' by Mackenzie Thorpe which is on Display at Middlesbrough Railway Station
Modern Railway Poster titled ‘Early Morning Train’ by Mackenzie Thorpe which is on Display at Middlesbrough Railway Station

If the walls at home weren’t already full of art I’d be delighted to some one of these, and in between trains I stood and looked at each individually. Eventually, I decided my favourite was probably the one showing the transporter bridge, not because of the big heart but the figures below heading into the mist.

Modern Railway Poster titled 'Heart of the North' by Mackenzie Thorpe which is on Display at Middlesbrough Railway Station
Modern Railway Poster titled ‘Heart of the North’ by Mackenzie Thorpe which is on Display at Middlesbrough Railway Station

If you’d like to see some of the footage shot at Middlesbrough Railway Station, the Bus Station and the vlog of the trip then check out the YouTube channel here.

– Mara