The LNER Encyclopedia

Hallo all,

I just wanted your views, as LNER afficionados, as to this poster I've had made up for the advertising of my eBook - does it hit the right notes in terms of nostalgia for you? It's based on the LNER's "Take me by the Flying Scotsman" poster.

The LNER poster was itself based on a Southern Railway one.

John

S.A.C. Martin wrote:Hallo all,

I just wanted your views, as LNER afficionados, as to this poster I've had made up for the advertising of my eBook - does it hit the right notes in terms of nostalgia for you? It's based on the LNER's "Take me by the Flying Scotsman" poster.

A nice clean image capturing the power of the engine and the style of the time. I like it Simon - well done!

I can't take the credit really - I have a superb artist in the form of Dean Walker.

Actually the original concept was a photograph taken by the late Charles Brown a renowned aircraft photographer, and used by the Southern Railway.

His early air to air photos have to be seen.

Yes Mr Fox Chaz Browns air to airs are a work of art. Meanwhile back to the question I think your Artist has got it right on the nose, a subtle blend of modernism and nostalgia.

Yes, that is really impressive.

G'Day Gents

Evoked a "WOW" from me.

If the child is about 4', the locos got to be 20 to 21 feet high, with 12' drivers, a bit out of gauge spot on.

manna

Young trainspotter wearing a fur-trimmed anorak?

The originals (SR and LNER) evoked a conversation between the driver and a young person - absent in this, which may subliminally convey the wrong message. The young person's expression appears cowed, rather than curious.

RE: Manna

The LNER poster had an odd depth of scale too, which we wanted to keep in terms of making the engine seem bigger than it actually was. The locomotive in question is all in the mind of the child, as it's the main character in a story narrated to the child.

RE: Anoarak

It's a bomber jacket - point taken RE the look, I hadn't seen it that way before. Will discuss wih the artist what can be done, if anything at this stage.

Thanks for your support and commentary chaps, much appreciated.

Ay up!

The kid's expression to me says "wow!"

I like it. Says what it needs to. Steam locos are big and impressive, especially when you see them from ground level, running, for the first time and you're only six!

I think as it's lacking the interaction between the child and driver that the originals had, that the "Apologies to the LNER" seems superfluous, and creates confusion. The LNER apologised to the Southern for 1/. transplanting the image almost identically, and 2/. correcting them that LNER was a better was to holiday. As you are doing neither of these things, the question is, what are you apologising for?

In general, a poster should be clean, and simple, to convey a message. I would ask yourself the question: does taking that wording away detract from the message? (For me) I think the answer is "No"...

Think this might be the Southern poster in question?

Ay up!

That's the one! I had it on my wall during a summer season at Butlin's Skegness. This was after the steam engines had been sent to museums...

G'Day Gents

Never thought of you as a 'Redcoat' BB..........

manna