Enamel signs and Bulleid Pacifics...

I must be getting cranky about photography, because unless there are adverse conditions to inspire me I am just not happy. Today is a fine example: the Swanage Steam Gala. Run over three days, the 6 mile-long heritage railway run as much steam as possible - occasionally borrowing engines from other railways for the event. The weekend is set to have warm, sunny weather - ideal from their perspective for attracting large crowds to help swell the coffers - but it does little to produce images with a bit of grit to them.

I photograph a number of trains as they pull fare paying passengers up and down the line, but it is the advertising signs that adorn the platforms of Corfe Castle station that interest me more than any of the engines and rolling stock on display.

There are, of course, the ever-present multitudes of rail enthusiasts chasing everything that moves with both still and video cameras, as well as those that persist in leaning out of the carriages to record their journey for posterity, but sadly today I am not one of them. I could do with a bit of rail or hail to spice it all up a bit.

So, back to the colourful enamel signs: From a bygone age (in keeping with other paraphernalia that adds atmosphere to the platforms) - and in at least in one instance, potentially illegal (the cigarette advertisement; but since the brand name with "wild" in it only exists in Australia then maybe it's okay), I begin to wonder if they are, in fact, authentic.

Whilst shooting each one, I engage in a conversation with a fellow snapper, and debate whether or not they are original. He thinks they are the genuine article, based on the thickness of the metal they are painted on, but if that is the case then surely they are of value - at least to collectors? I suggest that they might be targets for unscrupulous souls that might "liberate" them to make a quick buck. We acknowledge each other's opinion, agree that they are rather splendid, and leave it at that.

I particularly like the starch sign (right), that not only demands you use this brand to the exclusion of all others, but it reinforces the fact that it is sold in cardboard boxes. Whether that had any bearing on the properties of the product - shelf life-wise or performance-wise - I have no idea, but so long as it  "gives sparkling crispness to linens, cottons and lace" (company claim), what more could you ask for? Nothing, that's what. Buy some today!

Oh yes, the train! It turned out to be the best shot of the day (left), so I thought I should include it here. The SR 4-6-2 "Battle of Britain" Class No. 34070 Manston, it ran on the Kent Coast line during the 1950s before being moved to Dover in 1955, where it was used on the Continental boat trains. After the electrification of the line in 1961, Manston no longer had work for it, and it finally ended up at Exmouth Junction, where it was operated by Southern Railway until its withdrawal from service in 1964. It was rescued from the scrapyard in 1978.

Thought you might like to know that - (all gleaned from the Swanage Railway web site. You didn't think I walked around with all that in my head, did you?).




Enamel signs: 24-70mm f/2.8G AF-S Nikkor.
Manston: 300mm f/2.8 AF-S VR Nikkor


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