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Mike

@mikeyashworth.bsky.social

700 followers 230 following 1.4K posts

Ex-London Underground and retired back to "The North" - transport, design history, things industrial, architecture & heritage - all tickle my fancy. Postings often link to my Flickr account for more things!

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Mike @mikeyashworth.bsky.social · 16h

The application of the identity on BR's Sealink sector vessels, publicity and flags showing the correct way to display the reversed symbol on flags and funnels. It also discussed Danish & Swedish railways use of elements of the design that was also adapted for airport use.

The application of the identity on BR's Sealink sector vessels, publicity and flags showing the correct way to display the reversed symbol on flags and funnels. It also discussed Danish & Swedish railways use of elements of the design that was also adapted for airport use. Here can be seen an elevation of a ferry with livery and symbol appled.

This shows the full "Corporate Identity Manual" binders of 1965 and examples of use on rolling stock and stations. It also discussed Danish & Swedish railways use of elements of the design that was also adapted for airport use.

Mike @mikeyashworth.bsky.social · 16h

1989 brochure by British Rail's Directorate of Architecture, Design & Environment, headed by Jane Pristman, looking at the development of the BR Corporate Identity & its evolution during Sectorisation.

British Rail : architecture, design and environment : Jacquey Visick : British Railways Board : London : 1989 : 1965 - the Rail symbol. This looks at the symbols recognition and uses the Shell and Michelin symbols as other examples.

An interesting booklet looking at the work of British Rail's Directorate of Architecture, Design & Environment that was led by Jane Priestman. As well as looking at the history and development of the 'new' BR corporate identity of 1965, based around a strict palette of symbol, new Rail Alphabet typeface and colours, the publication gives examples of how this was delivered in practice as well as how, with Sectorisation, it had been adapted for use moving forwards.

This page looks as the symbol and its uses as well as showing some of the alternative BR symbols that had been considered in 1964/65.

An interesting booklet looking at the work of British Rail's Directorate of Architecture, Design & Environment that was led by Jane Priestman. As well as looking at the history and development of the 'new' BR corporate identity of 1965, based around a strict palette of symbol, new Rail Alphabet typeface and colours, the publication gives examples of how this was delivered in practice as well as how, with Sectorisation, it had been adapted for use moving forwards.

Here is shown the subtle design of the Rail Alphabet and rules as to its utilisation and use. This includes both 'positive' and 'negative' representations and letter spacing.

An interesting booklet looking at the work of British Rail's Directorate of Architecture, Design & Environment that was led by Jane Priestman. As well as looking at the history and development of the 'new' BR corporate identity of 1965, based around a strict palette of symbol, new Rail Alphabet typeface and colours, the publication gives examples of how this was delivered in practice as well as how, with Sectorisation, it had been adapted for use moving forwards.

Morer discussion as to the shapes, spacing or kerning of the letters and their designed 'weight'. It also shows the major house colours.

Mike @mikeyashworth.bsky.social · 16h

1989 British Rail: "Corporate Flexibility - Corporate Stability". How that's been tested to near destruction over 30 years! @doublearrow64.bsky.social #railway #design #graphicdesign #transport

Some pages : Zoomable ↘️ flic.kr/s/aHBqjCwEXf

British Rail : architecture, design and environment : Jacquey Visick : British Railways Board : London : 1989 : cover : Corporate Flexibility - Corporate Stability. The main design is white reversed from black with a white band to left edge upon which the outer edge of the symbol is reversed off.

An interesting booklet looking at the work of British Rail's Directorate of Architecture, Design & Environment that was led by Jane Priestman. As well as looking at the history and development of the 'new' BR corporate identity of 1965, based around a strict palette of symbol, new Rail Alphabet typeface and colours, the publication gives examples of how this was delivered in practice as well as how, with Sectorisation, it had been adapted for use moving forwards.

This is encapsulated on the cover with "Corporate flexibility and Corporate Stability". The new Intercity swallow motif makes an appearance.

I have scanned a few pages as examples.

Mike @mikeyashworth.bsky.social · 18h

Monochrome seems to suit the moment in this early 1960s view of a British Railways DMU chuntering away in the old Walsall station. #railways

(G.Dowling/Flick)

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Walsall station (pjs,1562)

This is Walsall station on a gloomy day in the mid 1960's a DMU is waiting to leave for Dudley and and electric class 304 is stabled in a siding on the far right. I can see no evidence of OHL equipmen...

Mike @mikeyashworth.bsky.social · 1d

There’s nothing like a Dangerous Hill sign! A mix of the old East Yorkshire Motor Services and the post-1969 National Bus Company concern. @richardprice.bsky.social

A sign in Hull Museum - timber framed and reading “Dangerous Hill” in white on a central red band with the National Bus symbol and East Yorkshire Omnibuses above and Descend in a low gear below

Mike @mikeyashworth.bsky.social · 1d

A fine pre-1974 County boundary sign for the old East Riding of Yorkshire County Council - seen in Hull’s wonderful Streetlife Museum. @lccmunicipal.bsky.social @showmeasign.online #yorkshire #hull

An old cast metal boundary sign for the pre-1974 East Riding of Yorkshire seen in Hull’s great Streetlife Museum. White with black cast lettering and to the left the old County coat of arms

Mike @mikeyashworth.bsky.social · 3d

On this day, 5 October 1946, the Lancashire borough of Darwen abandoned its tramway system. The post-war period saw many tramways closed & replaced by buses, a process that had been delayed by the outbreak of war. Oddly Darwen had some modern tramcars. @showmeasign.online

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Borough of Darwen Transport Department - Souvenir of the abandonment of tramways, 5 October 1946

I wonder, given the winter that lay ahead, if the Borough of Darwen's Transport Department had any second thoughts of abandoning their last tramway in October 1946, and completing the replacement of t...

Mike @mikeyashworth.bsky.social · 3d

5 October 1970 saw a late British Rail closure - the urabn link between Rochdale & Bolton via Bury to be replaced by the 'express' Trans-Lancs 400 bus route. Part of the line is now run by the preserved East Lancashire #Railway - & sections often feature in attempts to reintroduce services.

British Rail - London Midland Region : poster for the withdrawal of passenger services between Bolton and Rochdale via Radcliffe and Bury : 5 October 1970. After the huge on-going cull of British railway lines that had started in the 1930 but reached its climax with the Beeching Axe of the mid-1960s by 1970 there was, arguably, nothing much left to close. But a late loss was in 1970 when the Bolton to Rochdale via Radcliffe, Bury (Knowsley St) and Heywood route closed to passenger traffic and the majority of the line abandoned.

This was one of the many North of Manchester/S E Lancashire closures initiated and that basically saw only the Manchester - Bury DC electric services survive. Some of the trackbed north of Bury that closed as part of the Bacup/Accrington/Rawtenstall closures has since re-opened as the core of the preserved East Lancashire Railway and, a few years ago, this heritage line 'expanded' by gaining access to a large part of the line between Bury and Heywood closed by way of this notice. The line had at one time seen not only 'local' traffic but formed part of a route that gave the Calder Valley line and Rochdale access to west Lancashire without heading into and out of Manchester.

The closure happened, technically, under the watch of SELNEC PTE - formed in 1969 under the Transport Act of 1968 the PTEs had a role in funding local BR rail services and often did - however, this line was seen as being replacable by the PTE's orbital "Trans-Lancs Express" bus route, a limited stop service that skirted the north and eastern side of the conurbation and that was, in its day, as route 400 quite popular. Sadly it too has now bitten the dust and so radial transport around Greater Manchester is as poor as ever.

Mike @mikeyashworth.bsky.social · 4d

The cover, depicting München/Munich, to the Verein der Plakatfruende, the German poster magazine for Oktober 1912 by Carl Kunst. #graphicdesign #germany

Verein der Plakatfruende : Berlin : Jahr 3, Nummer 4 : Oktober 1912 : cover by Carl Kunst. The cover to the October 1912 issue of Verein der Plakatfreunde designed by Carl Kunst (1884 - 1912) and that contains an article on the work of this noted designer and artist. Sadly Kunst (also known as Karl Kunst) died in November of that year.

The skyline depicted is that of Munich/München with twin toweres dominting a blue sky. This is seen from the viewpoint of looking up across a vast wall, depicted in yellow/ochre with the titling ranged to the lower third of the cover.

Mike @mikeyashworth.bsky.social · 5d

"Can you here me Mother?" was a real childhood refrain in my Lancashire chilhood - from some '30s film. Anyhow, now we need you to do a Franglaise hearing test with your pal....

Mike @mikeyashworth.bsky.social · 5d

Pardon?....

Mike @mikeyashworth.bsky.social · 5d

And the cover to "The Book of the Century" #wolverhampton
The town had been raised to Borough status in 1848, typical of the desire for growing Victorian industrial towns to have formal local government, to County Borough in 1889 and in recent years to City status.

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The Book of the Century : [edit] Frederick Avery : Centenary Sub-Committee : Wolverhampton Borough Council : 1948 : cover

In 1948 Wolverhampton, then in Staffordshire, celebrated the Centenary of incorporation as a Borough; the rapidly growing Victorian industrial town, like many others, had no central form of local gove...

Mike @mikeyashworth.bsky.social · 5d

As a postscript to the recent fascinating (as ever) work of @municipaldreams.bsky.social on housing in Wolverhampton; the pages from the Borough Council's centenary history of 1948 giving details of the Housing Dept., its estates & contemporary post-war construction programme.

The Book of the Century : [edit] Frederick Avery : Centenary Sub-Committee : Wolverhampton Borough Council : 1948 : Housing 1. In 1948 Wolverhampton, then in Staffordshire, celebrated the Centenary of incorporation as a Borough; the rapidly growing Victorian industrial town, like many others, had no central form of local government, and so had successfully petitioned the Queen and Privy Council who on behalf of the Government agreed to their request. The Borough was raised to the status of a County Borough during the nationwide reform of 1889 and in more recent times has become a City.

The booklet, edited by the Borough's Public Relations and Industrial Development Manager, tells the story of the town in chapters written by L. du Garde Peach, and then looks at the municipal services, their origins and their development into post war-years.

Four pages are dedicated to the muncipal Housing Department and looks at the history of council or social housing that especially developed in post-WW1 years with the twin aims of clearing slum housing and catering for the growing population of the town. The two photos show at left the proposed "Civic Centre" area that was partially constructed and a "typical pre-WW2 scheme" houses in lawns retaining mature trees.

The Book of the Century : [edit] Frederick Avery : Centenary Sub-Committee : Wolverhampton Borough Council : 1948 : Housing 2. In 1948 Wolverhampton, then in Staffordshire, celebrated the Centenary of incorporation as a Borough; the rapidly growing Victorian industrial town, like many others, had no central form of local government, and so had successfully petitioned the Queen and Privy Council who on behalf of the Government agreed to their request. The Borough was raised to the status of a County Borough during the nationwide reform of 1889 and in more recent times has become a City.

The booklet, edited by the Borough's Public Relations and Industrial Development Manager, tells the story of the town in chapters written by L. du Garde Peach, and then looks at the municipal services, their origins and their development into post war-years.

Four pages are dedicated to the muncipal Housing Department and looks at the history of council or social housing that especially developed in post-WW1 years with the twin aims of clearing slum housing and catering for the growing population of the town.

This page looks at more contemporary developments as well as pre-WW2 work at Low Hill. This includes work on the East Park and Bushbury estates as well as types of construction that in post-war utility and austerity saw some favour including B.I.S.F. (British Iron & Steel Federation) homes, Orlit construction and W.K.2 homes as well as the well known "Pre-fabs". These are illustrated in a series of photographs on the right page.

Mike @mikeyashworth.bsky.social · 5d

Cover to the June 1958 East German motor & technology magazine "Kraftfahrzeug-technik" featuring the new IFA S4000 truck constructed by the VEB Industrieverband Fahrzeugbau.

↘️ flic.kr/p/2rwX3YT

Kraftfahrzeug-technik : Juni 1958 : VEB Verlag Technik : Berlin : DDR : IFA S4000 truck. The cover to the June 1958 issue of Kraftfahrzeug-technik - the East German magazine of automotive technology. The cover carries an advert for the IFA S4000 truck constructed by the VEB Industrieverband Fahrzeugbau, or IFA, was a conglomerate and a union of companies for vehicle construction in the former East Germany. The S4000 was a medium weight truck and apparently first produced in 1959 so this may be an early advert for the vehicle.

The graphic shows a loaded vehicle, in a bold blue colour with a load on the open back bed, on a main road whilst another S4000 crosses on a bridge. The bridge carries a banner "S4000>1/2tonne mehr". Sadly no artist or designer is shown.

Mike @mikeyashworth.bsky.social · 6d

Structural failure.

Mike @mikeyashworth.bsky.social · 6d

I have to say that yes, I read this article & 'lack of' perspective and context was what sprung to my mind. Re. HS2 there's no discussion as to the scheme's purpose, the amount of environmental mitigation (in construction & after) & the impact that has had on the project/cost/time.

Mike @mikeyashworth.bsky.social · 6d

It's a grand photo - but the date niggles me. I suspect it may be Bank station on the 1900 extension of the C&SLR as it reminds me of a similar image taken in 1903.

Mike @mikeyashworth.bsky.social · 6d

Night work now during the reconstruction of the failed footbridge here over the River Wharfe at Otley, West Yorkshire. The animated view from the front window. #photography #construction #night

An animated scene looking across the River Wharfe in Otley, West Yorkshire, showing the night time work on the reconstruction of the footbridge that forms part of the main structure across the river. Behind the temporary footbridge the river is lit up by flood lights, people are at work on boats and on pontoons as a large crane lifts a steel beam off a lorry ready to position it on the newly constructed concrete cantilever supports.

Mike @mikeyashworth.bsky.social · 7d

Indeed! There is a quick clip of a Hawley's bread van in their 'corporate' look; I recall them - 74 was just after we moved back to Edinburgh after time in B'ham & W Bromwich and it was in the latter that our local bakery shop was a branch of Hawley's. The so familiar WM bus as well!

Screen shot from BBC Archive prog on Birmingham 1974. As a WMPTE blue and cream bus passes a delivery man unloades wrapped bread from a Hawley's Bakery van, Birmingham registered, that is in their orange livery with a standard lettering of "Hawley's" with "bread and rolls" underneath on the side of the van.

Mike @mikeyashworth.bsky.social · 7d

As the new B23 rolling stock heads out into passenger service on London's Docklands Light Railway - DLR - a look back to a c.1985 brochure issued by the 'turnkey' project of GEC-Mowlem who designed & constructed the initial system that opened in 1987. #london #transport

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Docklands Light Railway : project brochure : GEC - Mowlem Railway Group : nd [c.1985] : cover. A brochure issued by the GEC-Mowlem Railway Group, undated but likely to be c.1985 as illustrations are used rather than the 'finished product', and that appears to have been given away at the IVA 1988 Railway trade show in Hamburg, Germany, as I acquired it with a batch of brochures from that event. The Docklands Light Railway - DLR - was constructed as a 'turnkey' project by GEC, who provided the vehicles, and Mowlem's who did the civil engineering; the Group was also supported by W.S. Atkins who undertook the detail design.

The cover shows an aerial view of the old Docklands area and the River Thames with the proposed line in red.

Docklands Light Railway : project brochure : GEC - Mowlem Railway Group : nd [c.1985] : scan 2.
This scan of two pages describes the project and the delivery group. It includes an 'artist's impression' of one of the units. Also shown are the 'computer control centre' such as would run the system and a man usuing a computer to design the project.

Docklands Light Railway : project brochure : GEC - Mowlem Railway Group : nd [c.1985] : scan 3. This page shows a system map of the proposed railway along with possible extensions as well as "advantages" to the owner and operator of such a system developed under this management method. There is also a photo of the new viaducts taking shape in a then open area of dockland with a bridge spanning one of the old Docks.

Docklands Light Railway : project brochure : GEC - Mowlem Railway Group : nd [c.1985] : scan 4. The final scan shows a side on impression of one of the original two car units that were destined to have a relatively short operational life in London for various reasons; expansion to three-car units as well as the requirement for different door access/egress for units on the tunnelled extension to Bank saw them withdrawn with many sold to Essen, Germany, where some still operate on Stadtbahn and tramway services. Upper left is an artists impression of a section across a new elevated viaduct station wit many passengers and pedestrians milling around.

Mike @mikeyashworth.bsky.social · 7d

Screenshot from a 1974 BBC Archive programme of Birmingham in 1974 & a once familiar scene at the junction of Corporation St and New St with two contemporary logotypes; West Midlands PTE bus and a BR Parcels van. @doublearrow64.bsky.social @lccmunicipal.bsky.social

Screenshot from a 1974 BBC Archive programme of Birmingham in 1974 & a once familiar scene at the junction of Corporation St and New St with two contemporary logotypes; West Midlands PTE bus and a BR Parcels van. The high level view looks down on the junction above the suspended street lighting that spans the junction. Four other vehicles are shown variously turning from one way streets in to other one way streets.

Mike @mikeyashworth.bsky.social · 7d

The Great Eastern Railway's Guide to Residential Districts in 1910 has a very bucolic take on the Romford Garden Suburb! The GER had opened Squirrels Heath & Gidea Park station in December 1910 to help serve & boost commuter traffic.

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The Romford Garden Suburb - Gidea Park, Essex : residential advert issued in : Great Eastern Railway's Guide to Residential Districts : London : 1910 : The story of 'garden suburbs' and the early 'garden city' in the UK is well-known - villages such as Bournville and Port Sunlight built by industrialists, and the early 'garden cities' such as Letchworth or Hampstead developed by companies. One of the more forgotten 'schemes' was that based at Romford, an existing Essex market town on the eastern fringe of the urban area. The estate, now centred on Gidea Park, can be seen here in all its intended charm. A rustic style illustartion of a country village street with two farmer like figures standing by a wagon. The advert is topped by a scroll reading "The Romford Garden Suburb" amd a lower scroll panel reading "a view at Squirrel's Heath". Below text tells of a descriptive booklet from the Romford Garden Suburb in London. The GER had opened Squirrels Heath & Gidea Park station in December 1910 to help serve & boost commuter traffic.

Mike @mikeyashworth.bsky.social · 8d

Autumnal vibes - cycling through Wharfedale and up on to the surrounding hills of the Washburn Valley. Still some warmth in the sun but a distinct hint of autumn in the shadows. #cycling #landscape #autumn #photography

Autumnal vibes : Wharfe Valley, North Yorkshire : 30 September 2025. A lovely day to be cycling the tracks and bridleways of Wharfedale - still some warmth in the sun but a distinct chill when in the shadows. A view across a cropped field between Otley and Leathley - the field rises to the right and a row of trees, and a farmhouse, top the crest of the hill that sits under a blue sky with occasional clouds.

Mike @mikeyashworth.bsky.social · 8d

On 30 September 1994 Aldwych station on the #London Underground closed so ending the shuttle service that had operated to Holborn since opening in 1907 - apart from a 'through' nb late night theatre special that ran in early years. I was there on the last day, working for LTM then. #history

Photo looking southbound at the operational platform at Aldwych station on the last day of service 30 Sept 1994. A tube train sits at the platform doors open with passengers on board, with passengers and a larger number of Underground staff in hi-vi's than usual! For the last day the original tiled name "Aldwych" that had been painted over after the 1915 re-naming was uncovered for the occasion.

A view into one of the original 1907 Otis lifts on the last day of service at Aldwych station, London Underground, on 30 September 1994. I was there 'working' as I was then a curator at LT Museum. A number of passengers wait for the lift doors to close and the lift descend to platform level. The original art-nouveau ventilation grilles can be seen above the ornate timber lift fascia and doors. The original Granolithic floor survived as did the white ceramic tiles rising from the green tiled skirting to the mid-height green tiled dado rail.

Mike @mikeyashworth.bsky.social · 9d

Amongst the first, if not the first, dieselisation of passenger services in South Wales; 1957 British Railways leaflet announcing the improved services on the Newport 'Western & Eastern" Valleys lines. Sadly it did not save these routes from the axe in 1962. #railways #wales

↘️ flic.kr/p/2rwaiyY

New Diesel Trains - Improved Services : South Wales Valley services from Newport : 2 December 1957 : lealfet : British Railways (Western Region) : 1957 : cover. A leaflet issued by the Western Region of British Railways announcing the introduction of new diesel multiple unit services on the "Western Valley" and "Eastern Valley" services from Newport, South Wales. These comprised services from Newport to Pontypool (Crane Street) and Blaenavon (Low Level), Newport and Aberbeeg and Brynmawr and Aberbeeg and Ebbw Vale (Low Level).

These were, I think, the first DMU services in the South Wales area delivered as part of British Railways Modernisation Programme that saw the wisespread introduction of DMU's to replace steam hauled services to help sell better and improved services to stem rising losses across the network. The leaflet helps sell the idea of 'modernity' and 'speed'.

Although in many places the DMUs helped branch lines survive the rather 'scattergun' impact the Modernisation Plan in someways simply compounded the Railway's parlous financial state and led to the bitter medicine of the Beeching era. Sadly these modernised services came to an end on 30 April 1962 when the majority of these branch lines closed and lost their services, a few stations surviving as part of being served by other lines whilst much of South Wales Valley Lines are now being radically modernised as part of TfW's massive programme of improvements.

The cover is in bright magenta with a with arrow at top on which is shown a speeding DMU with the text "New Diesel Trains"above and "improved services" below. In Script lettering is shown "Commencing" and "between" in white, followed by details of date and services in black. The BR totem sits bottom right.

A diagrammatic map of the three services - the Westn Valley to left running from Newport to Ebbw Vale (Low Level) and Brynmawr from Aberbeeg and to right the Eastern Valley line running to Blaenavon (Low Level). Newport is shown with a horizontal line arroed left "To Cardiff, Swansea and Fishguard Harbour" and right to "Gloucester, Bristol and London."

A leaflet issued by the Western Region of British Railways announcing the introduction of new diesel multiple unit services on the "Western Valley" and "Eastern Valley" services from Newport, South Wales. These comprised services from Newport to Pontypool (Crane Street) and Blaenavon (Low Level), Newport and Aberbeeg and Brynmawr and Aberbeeg and Ebbw Vale (Low Level). These can be seen on the diagram of services converging at Newport (then in Monmouthshire) with connections on the mainline to Cardiff, Swansea and Fishguard Harbour as well as Gloucester, Bristol and London.

These were, I think, the first DMU services in the South Wales area delivered as part of British Railways Modernisation Programme that saw the wisespread introduction of DMU's to replace steam hauled services to help sell better and improved services to stem rising losses across the network. Although in many places the DMUs helped branch lines survive the rather 'scattergun' impact the Modernisation Plan in someways simply compounded the Railway's parlous financial state and led to the bitter medicine of the Beeching era. Sadly these modernised services came to an end on 30 April 1962 when the majority of these branch lines closed and lost their services, a few stations surviving as part of being served by other lines whilst much of South Wales Valley Lines are now being radically modernised as part of TfW's massive programme of improvements.