This vintage Cunard LNER poster is a testament to the artistic prowess of an unknown talent and serves as a window into the bygone era when transatlantic passenger travel was flourishing. Commissioned by the London & North Eastern Railway (LNER), it was designed with a dual purpose: to captivate the imagination of travellers and to promote the convenience of connecting rail and sea services that bridged North America, Canada, England, and the Continent.
At the heart of this artwork, an LNER Class A3 locomotive takes center stage, resplendent and powerful, and painted in its familiar ‘apple green’ livery. The LMS Green was used for almost all passenger tender locomotives from 1923 to 1941, with the exception of the war years when it was painted in ‘blackout’ black. At the front of the locomotive, the bright red bumper plate reveals the number 4472. The plate heralds the presence of the remarkable Flying Scotsman, a 4-6-2 “Pacific” steam locomotive with a storied history dating back to its construction in 1923 at the Doncaster Works.
Named after the train service it offered between London and Edinburgh, the Flying Scotsman went on to become what is widely considered to be the most famous train in the world. This fabulous Cunard LNER vintage travel poster, it stands majestically on Liverpool dock, stoked, billowing smoke and ready to carry Cunard’s latest arrivals.
The long train is waiting patiently alongside a towering Cunard White Star liner, a visual testament to the harmonious partnership between rail and sea travel. The sight of this iconic locomotive against the backdrop of the RMS Aquitania evokes a sense of grandeur and adventure, enticing travellers to embark on a transatlantic journey of a lifetime.
The text accompanying this captivating image is concise yet evocative. The word “Cunard” takes prominence, instantly invoking thoughts of luxury and transatlantic travel. The message, “The United States and Canada Link with the East Coast and the Continent,” serves as a clear invitation to explore the seamless connectivity offered by the LNER, positioning it as the conduit between North America, the United Kingdom, and mainland Europe.
Originally conceived as a poster for the London & North Eastern Railway, this artwork served as a powerful marketing tool during a time when rail and sea travel were the lifeblood of international transportation. It not only promoted the services offered by LNER but also celebrated the spirit of exploration and adventure that characterised the era.
The vintage travel poster stands as a testament to the golden age of transportation, when the world was much bigger, and journeys were as much about the experience as the destination. It embodies the romance of travel, capturing the essence of an era when locomotives and liners were the epitome of luxury and sophistication, and when the prospect of distant shores stirred the hearts of all who gazed upon this aspirational image.
For a couple of decades between the two world wars, transatlantic passenger travel was flourishing. The British shipping and cruise line, Cunard, teamed up with both the London, Midland and Scottish Railway and the London and North Eastern Railway.
The Cunard LMS boat train emerged as a stellar example of seamless transatlantic travel. This LMS railway service offered passengers a seamless passage from the bustling metropolis of New York to the historic port city of Liverpool and, beyond that, to the majestic British capital of London. It was a voyage marked by luxury, comfort, and the promise of unforgettable experiences.
Simultaneously, the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) presented an enticing alternative for discerning travelers. Once the ocean liner docked in Liverpool, the LNER would transport its passengers to an alternative destination. Instead of London, it charted a course to Harwich, a charming coastal town that served as the gateway to the European continent. American and Canadian adventurers, disembarking from their transatlantic voyages, found themselves at the threshold of “The Continent,” ready to embark on the next leg of their extraordinary journey.
In essence, this period in history was a golden age of travel when partnerships between renowned companies like Cunard, LMS, and LNER made it possible for travelers to seamlessly traverse the Atlantic and explore the wonders of Europe. It was a time when the romance of the journey was as important as the destination itself, and when the spirit of adventure beckoned travellers from distant shores to embark on unforgettable odysseys.
Other Flying Scotsman Railway Posters
The Flying Scotsman passenger train service began in 1862 as the Special Scotch Express. The Flying Scotsman train was officially named in 1923 after the passenger service from London King’s Cross to Edinburgh Waverley on the East Coast mainline. Its unmissable green livery, record-breaking achievements, and iconic railway posters soon made the train extremely popular with the British public.
The Flying Scotsman continues to be a symbol of British engineering and a beloved piece of railway history, captivating enthusiasts and tourists worldwide. This famous train has left its mark in various forms of media, gracing the pages of books, the screens of films, and even adorning coins, postage stamps, and jigsaw puzzles. Its iconic presence extends to everyday items like cups, mugs, and coasters, making it a beloved symbol that permeates both history and popular culture.
Vintage posters featuring the Flying Scotsman are especially popular among collectors due to their rarity and nostalgic appeal. These posters capture the essence of the train and are highly valued by those who appreciate history and art. The posters are a testament to its enduring legacy, the Flying Scotsman continues to inspire and captivate generations, becoming a cherished symbol of the golden age of rail travel.
Some of our favorite Flying Scotsman posters include the well-known and popular poster produced in 1932 by the British artist A.R. Thomson. The Take Me By Flying Scotsman poster depicts a small child standing on a railway platform looking up at a train driver in his cab. The poster mimics Southern Railways ‘Early Holiday poster‘ by Charles Brown. However, the size of the child compared to the locomotive, and the train driver needing to use a megaphone to communicate with the child, seems to be a playful way to show that LNER trains were bigger and faster than Southern’s.
Leo Marfurt‘s 1928 Flying Scotsman poster is an Art Deco classic that barely features the famous locomotive or train. Instead, the bright and contemporary graphic, almost abstract design depicts a large crowd of passengers leaving the platform having alighted the train whilst others wait patiently to board. The image accompanies the message that the train leaves Kings Cross station in London at 10 a.m. every weekday.
A personal favorite features the iconic train winding its way through the rugged Scottish scenery in the Monessie Gorge in Inverness-shire, Scotland. The stunning By Rail to the Highlands print was created by the renowned artist Terence Cuneo who was renowned for his incredible railway posters and fine art paintings.
For our final highlight, we have chosen a series of posters that were created to celebrate the Flying Scotsman turning 100 years old. Each of the twenty Centenary posters marks one of the mainline centenary runs that took place between March and December 2023. The runs include East Lancashire, Royal Duchy, Keighley and Worth Valley, Cardiff Express, the Cheshireman, the Portsmouth Flyer, the Salisbury Express, the East Coast Mainline, and the Highland Express.
We currently list over 200 vintage railway posters in our collection with new ones introduced on a regular basis. More than a dozen of these include superb reproduction prints and original Flying Scotsman posters. Take a trip and see where your journey takes you!
