Vintage Railway Art for the Home
There’s nothing that says retro like railwayana. So just what is it about railways and steam trains that speaks to our vintage souls? Is it that we all wish secretly that we were born near the railway and starred in our very own railway children movie? Is it the possibility of adventure or exotic travel? Maybe it's the art deco black and white film noir romance of brief encounters that zips us back into the early 19th’century. Read further into our fascinating blog where we also feature some vintage railway art for the home.
Nostalgia
The National Railway Museum Archives tell their own story of railways that opened up Britain and connected our towns and villages in ways we never believed possible. In the years after the war, our grandparents and parents congregated at local stations. They took summer seaside trips to local seaside resorts like Scarborough, Brighton, Great Yarmouth and Torquay. Sadly, the Beeching review took away many lines. Consequently, many are just fond memories of sea sand and ice cream. However, the growing number of re-opened steam train lines in Britain, indicate the true fondness we have for Steam trains and the nostalgia that surrounds them. By displaying rail art, we are reflecting those feelings in our own homes.
America
In the U.S., railways laid the tracks of cities and towns and governed where people could travel, pre the motor vehicle. Before that, they were reliant on stagecoach and our four-legged friend the horse and trap to take them where they needed to be. With the introduction of rail travel, they no longer relied on other people to take them somewhere. Firstly, they had the possibility of making their own choices and secondly, travelling on their own timetable, or at least that of the train station! The Americans, therefore, also enjoyed an opening up of their vast country, thanks to rail travel, explaining, again, why the original trains are regarded so fondly and why art work refelcting this period in history is often displayed in homes.
Train Stations
Train stations were temples of possibility where the public could enter and travel to a whole new world. Railway stations became places of meetings and farewells. We greeted our long-awaited loved ones and waved them off to work or war. Railways weren’t just a way of getting to and from our destinations. They moulded our destiny and presented a plethora of life choices we could make. Railways allowed us to master that destiny. Rail art represents the era of steam, trains and the stuff of memories, of days gone by. Perhaps that’s another reason why Harry Potter has been such a run away success, given that it connects thoughts of steam trains and magic! Visual references to the golden age of steam, celebrate all these emotions and memories.
Train Art Work
A trip on the Orient Express still has that aura of mystique which evokes tales of Agatha Christie. The Orient Express emulates the glamour and luxury of 1920’s travel. In addition to this, it stimulates a feeling of mystery or anticipation of visiting the farthest corners of the world such as Berlin, Budapest and now even China. Railway signs and metal wall art are a really simple way to harness the bygone era of steam and railway engineering. You can use metal wall signs and rail art in your kitchen garage, lounge or library. In fact, the signs make great decorator's pieces anywhere! Once you start a railway theme, you’ll want to keep building on it with station clocks and timetables. Who knows, you might even display the most famous train service in steam travel, the Flying Scotsman, now wouldn’t that be the ultimate treat for a railway enthusiast?
Here at Sweet and Nostalgic we have a wide selection of railway art signs for the home. Come and have a look at what life was like in 20th Century Britain. Our products, for example, give you a warm nostalgic flavour for this wonderful time. Our range covers the whole of the 20th Century, so there's something on our site for everyone.