The LNER Encyclopedia

Hello all,

I've been lent a print of a painting signed (but not dated) by an artist called Michael Delany and I'm trying to find out a bit more about it - see attached. There's a note on the back of the print as follows: '[4479] is seen here rebuilt to class A3 as she leaves Copenhagen Tunnel with an express for Newcastle.'

No.4479 Robert The Devil was a Grantham-based member of the class while carrying that number, except for a few months in 1942. She was rebuilt to A3 during 1942, which points to the date represented in the painting, if accurate, being between then and mid-1946, and probably at the post-war end of that period. I'd be interested to find out whether 4479 was chosen to be the subject (perhaps by a person who commissioned the painting from the artist) or if that's incidental.

Has anyone seen an image of this painting published anywhere? Is the location or ownership of the original painting known? I wonder if it's passed through any of the railway salerooms?

If possible I'd like to find out a little more about the artist too.

Having tried a bit of Internet research I've found another Michael Delany print (which is dated '73) of a railway subject on ebay:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GWR-6000-King ... 1231966628

I also came across some paintings of historic aircraft dated during the 1980s by a 'Mike Delany' which bear a resemblance in style.

The Guild of Railway Artists website drew a blank.

I'll be very grateful for information about this painting or the artist. Here's hoping.

Season's greetings.

Very nice. Just a sideways thought, but might '1973’ be a print number, as in a limited number of prints having been produced? The liveries in the painting appear to be all GWR, though that's not necessarily solid evidence of when the painting was done. Hopefully someone can chip in with the full details.

Thanks giner - that's a possibility I hadn't considered. If/when I find anything more I'll post a follow-up.

The figure 73 is just visible by the signature.Its a long standing tradition to put date of original artwork completion alongside the artist's signature or initials.The print run may well have been later.

Hello, I know this painting very well as it was the work of my late brother. It is still in the possession
Of one of the family. It was shown at an exhibition, attended by The Duke of Edinburgh, along with other artists work, including that of one of his heroes, Terence Cuneo.

Michael Joseph Delany was a self taught artist who worked with various media, oil,
Acrylics and water colour. He started his artistic path as a technical illustrator for the English Electric Company in Luton then moving onto freelance commercial art. He created a collection of railway subjects plus WWii aircraft.

Many Of his pieces were used for commemorative plates by Coalport China.

Frank Delany wrote:Hello, I know this painting very well as it was the work of my late brother. It is still in the possession
Of one of the family. It was shown at an exhibition, attended by The Duke of Edinburgh, along with other artists work, including that of one of his heroes, Terence Cuneo.

Michael Joseph Delany was a self taught artist who worked with various media, oil,
Acrylics and water colour. He started his artistic path as a technical illustrator for the English Electric Company in Luton then moving onto freelance commercial art. He created a collection of railway subjects plus WWii aircraft.

Many Of his pieces were used for commemorative plates by Coalport China.

Thanks very much for that information.

Frank Delany wrote:Hello, I know this painting very well as it was the work of my late brother. It is still in the possession
Of one of the family. It was shown at an exhibition, attended by The Duke of Edinburgh, along with other artists work, including that of one of his heroes, Terence Cuneo.

Michael Joseph Delany was a self taught artist who worked with various media, oil,
Acrylics and water colour. He started his artistic path as a technical illustrator for the English Electric Company in Luton then moving onto freelance commercial art. He created a collection of railway subjects plus WWii aircraft.

Many Of his pieces were used for commemorative plates by Coalport China.

Hello Frank - I'm really delighted to hear from you. The print of your brother's superb painting was lent to me by a 90-year-old former Grantham fireman who still lives in the town; in fact I hope to see him again next week. The print's in a scrapbook he's made - he knew No.4479 very well because it was a locomotive in which the men at Grantham took a special pride. It's good to hear that the original painting is in good hands. I'll contact you by private mail (PM) as I'd like to ask permission to use an image of the picture in a project I'm working on.
Thank you for getting in touch.

- he knew No.4479 very well because it was a locomotive in which the men at Grantham took a special pride.

You mean like this :


Nice painting and nice story.

That cleaner and his mates did a great job, because when they had finished No.4479 looked like this! (scroll down to 4th and 5th pictures):

http://www.tracksthroughgrantham.uk/rai ... otographs/

Frank Delany wrote:Hello, I know this painting very well as it was the work of my late brother. It is still in the possession
Of one of the family. It was shown at an exhibition, attended by The Duke of Edinburgh, along with other artists work, including that of one of his heroes, Terence Cuneo.

Michael Joseph Delany was a self taught artist who worked with various media, oil,
Acrylics and water colour. He started his artistic path as a technical illustrator for the English Electric Company in Luton then moving onto freelance commercial art. He created a collection of railway subjects plus WWii aircraft.

Many Of his pieces were used for commemorative plates by Coalport China.

Hello Frank, I am pleased to say I am in possession of several of Michael's oil paintings. Most of them are of WW2 aircraft flying, one them is what looks like a wright brothers style plane flying over a field of flowers.

I came by them at small gallery in Whyteleafe, Surrey.

Russ Francis

Hi Guys sorry for the post hijack but i was reasonably confident that you would like to see the Mike Delany items that i have in my possession
Please excuse my artistic ignorance but I have no idea if these are paintings or prints? I come across them in an auction 'job lot'.
They have 85 next the artist signature and that date fits with the framing style.
These are currently hanging on my wall as I really like them. Any information would be gratefully received.
David Latimer

Hello David - this is a very late reply but I came across your post by chance recently.
This was my Dad's work which we still have in the family. I think it was painted in the 1980s but will double check next time I see it which should be soon.
He did also do many aircraft paintings - mostly WWII. He had himself been a flight mechanic in the RAF during the Berlin airlift.

Best wishes

Mike Delany (Jr)