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doublearrow64.bsky.social
doublearrow.co.uk
@doublearrow64.bsky.social
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British Rail Corporate Identity 1965-1994
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doublearrow64.bsky.social
doublearrow.co.uk @doublearrow64.bsky.social · Nov 12
‘Arrows of desire’, a book all about the illustrious British Rail symbol, published by the modernist® is now available for pre-order at…
the-modernist.org/products/arr...
doublearrow64.bsky.social
Intercity Pullman carriage names were aligned very oddly; the Flame Red stripe was 180mm deep, the x-height was 80mm, the gap below was 35mm and the gap above 65mm and I have absolutely no idea why, text was usually centred on x-height
flic.kr/p/2jjGiEj (Michael J Collins)
January 19, 2026 at 7:59 PM
doublearrow64.bsky.social
Admittedly this is only temporary but “We’ll do our own thing, thanks” is the scourge of wayfinding across the British rail network…
roads.org.uk Roads.org.uk 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ @roads.org.uk · 13h
@doublearrow64.bsky.social Have you seen the temporary signs in RA2 at Waterloo? Escalators out of service so an alternative route is signposted in what looks like the new wayfinding style - but all on LU property! One is on an existing LU sign so uses New Johnston.
Sign mounted on a tiled pillar reading “alternative route to Jubilee line & Waterloo Road” with an Underground roundel Sign mounted on a wall reading “alternative route for Waterloo Station National Rail services”. It is within a tube station but is written in Rail Alphabet 2 and uses the new National Rail wayfinding system Overhead sign for “Waterloo & City line” to a standard London Underground design, with a temporary panel added on the right pointing to an alternative route to Waterloo Station. The whole sign is typeset in New Johnston but the temporary panel uses the layout and colours of the new National Rail wayfinding system
January 19, 2026 at 11:54 AM
Reposted by doublearrow.co.uk
miles-and-chains.bsky.social
Morning all. A bitterly cold morning as I recall, as 37408 ‘Loch Rannoch’ traversed the Oban line with the Grangemouth to Connell Ferry oil train. Another service that was lost to road transport shortly after. Hope you all have a great day.
#Class37 #Tractor #LargeLogo
January 18, 2026 at 6:28 AM
Reposted by doublearrow.co.uk
gawuffy.co.uk
Possibly only works because that logo had become *so* distinctive by this point, and a the impact of a considered choice to bleed is better than the impact of unconsidered sizing and placement. Iconic looks though, the pair of 'em.
January 17, 2026 at 12:17 PM
doublearrow64.bsky.social
The Class 73s in Executive InterCity livery had an unusually large symbol (not reflected in the AC electrics)—I don’t mind a big symbol although this one sails perilously close to the white stripe…
miles-and-chains.bsky.social Miles and Chains @miles-and-chains.bsky.social · 2d
Well before hybrids became popular, we had the class 73. These unassuming locos were obviously way ahead of their time!
73123 ‘Gatwick Express’ stands at the buffer stops at London Waterloo.
#Class73 #Shoebox #ElectroDiesel #LondonWaterloo #BritishRail
January 17, 2026 at 11:47 AM
Reposted by doublearrow.co.uk
danielhwright.bsky.social
From the same book, thought of you when I saw the state of the double arrow on this Brush pre-production model of the Class 89. Interesting treatment of the Inter-City livery too.
January 14, 2026 at 12:52 PM
doublearrow64.bsky.social
Thread 👀
danielhwright.bsky.social Daniel Wright @danielhwright.bsky.social · 5d
This, from the definitive history of the APT ("APT A Promise Unfulfilled" by Hugh Williams) resonates today.

"...the APT-S proposal marked the beginning of a series of 'paper APTs' which had two big advantages for BR. Firstly the trains could be designed and developed cheaply and quickly..."
January 14, 2026 at 12:45 PM
doublearrow64.bsky.social
Pretty sure Frank Pick (and DRU for that matter), would be apoplectic due to the blurring of wayfinding and promotional messaging (I could also have written this post for the Underground’s ill-judged Heineken 0.0 campaign btw)
#UnintelligentDesign
thebeautyoftransport.com The Beauty of Transport @thebeautyoftransport.com · 7d
I am absolutely here for decluttering, BSL screens, accessibility improvements, but why on earth are GTR inventing a whole new wayfinding schema when (a) Network Rail's Wayfinding manual already exists, and (b) GBR wants to re-sign stations too in the near future?

www.mynewsdesk.com/uk/govia-tha...
Enfield Chase sets standard for future station improvements – smoother, simpler, more enjoyable journeys
The first example of Govia Thameslink Railway’s (GTR’s) new Model Stations concept has seen customer satisfaction among passengers at Enfield Chase surge to 93%
www.mynewsdesk.com
January 12, 2026 at 10:03 PM
doublearrow64.bsky.social
Ah now @danielhwright.bsky.social knows full well I won’t be able to resist reposting this totem that uses NSE red (which was quite pink irrespective of weathering) and original NSE blue; don’t think much signage used the later blue
(Also see stationheritageartefacts.org.uk for rail related goodies)
thebeautyoftransport.com The Beauty of Transport @thebeautyoftransport.com · 7d
Ten new or updated records added to the Mainline Station Heritage Artefacts Collection thanks to seven different contributors. If you're inspired to join them, full details are on the website. (NSE totem image by Lewis Collard / rail.lewiscollard.com)
Latest stations added to site
Basingstoke (submitted by Paul Webster) Canley (submitted by Paul Webster) Coventry (updated) (submitted by Hazel Nicholson) Dorridge (updated) (submitted by Paul Webster) Edinburgh Waverley (updated) (submitted by Mike Mellor) Shipley (updated) (submitted by Mark Morton) Shoeburyness (submitted by Christopher Huang) Southend Central (updated) (submitted by Christopher Huang) Watlington (submitted by Lewis Collard / www.rail.lewiscollard.com) Welwyn North (submitted by George Barnard)
stationheritageartefacts.org.uk
January 12, 2026 at 1:55 PM
doublearrow64.bsky.social
These books are stunning btw
joebrownlondon.bsky.social Joe Brown @joebrownlondon.bsky.social · 15d
Please buy my 3 in-print titles direct from @CrecyRail, thank you! 👍
Birmingham & West Midlands Railway Atlas 2nd edition: crecy.co.uk/product/birm...
London Railway Atlas 6th edition: crecy.co.uk/product/lond...
Rail Atlas of GB & Ireland 16th edition: crecy.co.uk/product/rail...
January 12, 2026 at 1:52 PM
doublearrow64.bsky.social
0.0/10
mikeyashworth.bsky.social Mike @mikeyashworth.bsky.social · 8d
Unforgivable. Mixing basic passenger information with advertising to the confusion of the former. Brand prostitution.

flic.kr/p/2rRd5mF
IMG_5292
flic.kr
January 11, 2026 at 8:25 PM
doublearrow64.bsky.social
One for the trackies…
marshrail.bsky.social Phil Marsh @marshrail.bsky.social · 10d
Railway quiz. Where's this?
January 10, 2026 at 7:56 PM
doublearrow64.bsky.social
Shiny; am I right in thinking these were Res locomotives?
marshrail.bsky.social Phil Marsh @marshrail.bsky.social · Dec 13
Spot on Sir.
January 10, 2026 at 12:16 AM
Reposted by doublearrow.co.uk
mikeyashworth.bsky.social
It's the day! 6 January 1980 & you can save with a #London Crosstown ticket. British Rail publicity for what was the old North London Line, then still running to Broad St. station, & now, over time, utterly transformed as part of the Overground. #railways #transport

↘️ flic.kr/p/2ndLbg1
Crosstown return ticket - North London Line : promotional leaflet 1980 : British Rail, London Midland Region. The old North London line, relic of the North London Railway, has a fascinating history. At one time, before early electric tramway competition started to seriously abstract passengers, it was one of the busiest commuter lines in Britain serving the growing and populous northern suburbs of the Victorian city and with a terminus in the heart of the City. Subsequenty, especially in LMS and British Railways days, the line, its infrastructure and services despite being largely electrified, became fairly moribund and neglected. In the 1970s the line, despite its near Cinderella status, started to get some attention - with the GLC amongst others, keen to promote the line as part of promoting the use of public transport. This January 1980 leaflet, issued by BR's London Midland Region, shows some "get up and go" from the line's owners and is aimed at promoting the line, its destinations and connection, along with a special 80p 'Crosstown" return ticket. The line did see significant changes even after this date, most notably the closure of the old City terminus at Broad Street and, despite the infamous 'Graham Road Curve' to connect the line into Liverpool Street, the effective extension of passenger services further east to Stratford and North Woolwich - somewhat mirroring the railway's original services. Privatisation of the railways saw the line operated as part of franchises, most notably as 'Silverlink Metro' before, in 2007 seeing a transfer to Transport for London control as part of the Overground services. Major changes, including the re-opening of parts of the previously abandoned line south of Dalston Junction and extensions on to what was the East London line of the Underground, have seen the use of the 'North London' blossom and usage at several of the stations shown on this leaflet are almost unrecognisable these days. Crosstown return ticket - North London Line : promotional leaflet 1980 : British Rail, London Midland Region : inner folds : three panels in a red frame. Upper left "Save Time" showing journey details. Upper right "Save Money" with an 80p return fare between any two stations and a regular electric service every 20 mins during weekdays. Lower panel - a BR diagram of the North London Line from Broad Street to Richmond via Highbiry & Islington and Willesden Junction.
January 6, 2026 at 11:12 AM
doublearrow64.bsky.social
Imagine having the option of putting this in any livery in preservation and actually choosing EWS over this? 😩
miles-and-chains.bsky.social Miles and Chains @miles-and-chains.bsky.social · 15d
Two tone Railfreight Metals liveried 37250 stands at Perth station awaiting fuelling. Thankfully a locomotive that is still with us in preservation on the Wensleydale Railway, albeit now in EWS colours.
#Class37 #Tractor #RailfreightMetals #Perth #BritishRail
January 4, 2026 at 11:00 AM
Reposted by doublearrow.co.uk
danielhwright.bsky.social
Survived at Barking on platform buildings as late as 2022...
stationheritageartefacts.org.uk/artefacts-re...
January 4, 2026 at 10:48 AM
Reposted by doublearrow.co.uk
laurawright.bsky.social
This would be quite a good dating filter TBH
doublearrow64.bsky.social doublearrow.co.uk @doublearrow64.bsky.social · 17d
Who has a copy of this?
January 2, 2026 at 10:13 PM
doublearrow64.bsky.social
Who has a copy of this?
January 2, 2026 at 10:11 PM
Reposted by doublearrow.co.uk
rclongauthor.bsky.social
Has anyone mentioned this one yet?
The WH Smith cube logo
January 1, 2026 at 9:49 AM
doublearrow64.bsky.social
Glorious bunch of flowers 💐
mikeyashworth.bsky.social Mike @mikeyashworth.bsky.social · 19d
British Rail West Riding - to get you out and about : eight of the pocket sized train timetables issued 1973 - 75 with the pre-WYPTE/Metro branding, line names but using the wider county's white rose symbol. Quite a 'family' feel. #yorkshire #railways #graphicdesign @doublearrow64.bsky.social
Eight British Rail pocket timetables for West Riding - later West Yorkshire/South Yorkshire PTEs - train services and using the county's White Rose symbol and line names. Hallam - pink, Airedale - red, Three Rivers (Leeds-Wakefield-Doncaster) - green, Huddersfield - brown, Dearne Valley - purple, Goole - light blue, Minster - dark blue and Harrogate - deep red. In the middle of the grid of eight is the reverse of a smiliar timetable showing the BR symbol and text reading "West Riding - to get you out and about" ranged on the lower left edge.
December 31, 2025 at 8:15 PM
doublearrow64.bsky.social
That’s not even the original ICI roundel by Design Research Unit (that’s the Wolff Olins version—I have the WO identity manual somewhere)
December 31, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Reposted by doublearrow.co.uk
frazzle1.bsky.social
Hard agree.
December 31, 2025 at 5:57 PM
doublearrow64.bsky.social
They don't make logos like they used to #MidlandBank
December 31, 2025 at 5:35 PM
doublearrow64.bsky.social
Just too tempting for some to extend parallel tracks from the British Rail symbol, even Newell and Sorrell did it for InterCity in the late 1980s; not sure it’s what the purists at DRU would have wanted
mikeyashworth.bsky.social Mike @mikeyashworth.bsky.social · 20d
Awayday saves in so many ways : part of a 1975 British Rail map folder giving details of journeys & fares; although the map covers SE England the fares also included the Scottish Lochs - not in a day I don't think. The panel borders inc the BR symbol, @doublearrow64.bsky.social
Awayday saves in so many ways : part of a 1975 British Rail map folder giving details of journeys & fares; although the map covers SE England the fares also included the Scottish Lochs - not in a day I don't think. The two panel borders inc the BR symbol and enclose details of Awayday to London and Awayday to the Continent by BR ferry services.
December 31, 2025 at 12:41 AM
doublearrow64.bsky.social
Gorgeous; it certainly has the Bernard Slatter feel to it, I’m not sure when he/British Rail started to attribute and reference for version control purposes but this seems to be an embryonic version of what would become the Network SouthEast map, albeit with a LT copyright for the Underground
mikeyashworth.bsky.social Mike @mikeyashworth.bsky.social · 20d
1975 British Rail SE England journey planner; the diagram in 2 scans showing the then railway network now much changed by Thameslink, Crossrail & Overground. Probably by Bernard Slatter, it shows routes & service patterns. #map #cartography #railway @doublearrow64.bsky.social

↘️ flic.kr/p/2rPnw7P
Your Awayday journey planner : the easy way to get from A to B in the South East : map folder : British Rail : May 1975 : North of the Thames and central London. An interesting network map showing the British Rail network centred on London and regionally out as far as Northampton, Bedford, Hitchin, Stansted, Harwich, Southend, Margate, Dover, Hastings, Brighton, Portsmouth, Guildford, Reading and Oxford; almost what was to become Network South East in later years. It shows the many destinations available with the "Awayday" cheap return tickets. Printed on newsprint the diagram itself is interesting as it is very much a Bernard Slatter design, although uncredited, with a 'standard' London Transport central area Underground diagram 'grafted' into the centre thus giving connections from major London termini across the city centre. It has been scanned, due to dimensions, in two sections - north and south. This section shows suburban and outer suburban services from London Paddington, Marylebone, Euston, St. Pancras, King's Cross, Moorgate, Broad Street, Liverpool Street and Fenchurch Street stations along with service patterns. There is even the Tilbury - Gravesend ferry service. There have been many changes in the intervening years most notably Thameslink, Crossrail and London Overground services that have redrawn the map. Closures include Broad Street and the Watford - Croxley Green branch. Your Awayday journey planner : the easy way to get from A to B in the South East : map folder : British Rail : May 1975 : South of the Thames. An interesting network map showing the British Rail network centred on London and regionally out as far as Northampton, Bedford, Hitchin, Stansted, Harwich, Southend, Margate, Dover, Hastings, Brighton, Portsmouth, Guildford, Reading and Oxford; almost what was to become Network South East in later years. It shows the many destinations available with the "Awayday" cheap return tickets. Printed on newsprint the diagram itself is interesting as it is very much a Bernard Slatter design, although uncredited, with a 'standard' London Transport central area Underground diagram 'grafted' into the centre thus giving connections from major London termini across the city centre. It has been scanned, due to dimensions, in two sections - north and south. This section shows suburban and outer suburban services from London Victoria, Charing Cross, Holborn Viaduct, Cannon Street and London Bridge stations along with service patterns. There have been many changes such as Thameslink services and the transfer of the then little used Croydon branch line network to Croydon Tramlink services. There is even the Tilbury - Gravesend ferry service.
December 30, 2025 at 1:06 PM