Title - Track Laying By Night.
Location - Wandsworth Common, London, England.
Artist - Terence Tenison Cuneo (1907-1996).
Description - This poster was produced for the Southern Region, and was based on night-time track replacement work at Wandsworth Common. Cuneo made his original notes and sketches of the scene in-situ in the pouring rain. At the time British Railways was formed in 1948 there was a huge effort underway to repair the railways after wartime neglect, and the poster was used to advertise to the public that this work was taking place even though they didn't see it happening
The painting shows the heavy work involved, with the track-laying train craning-down a 40 foot length of track with sleepers already attached, while the gang are preparing the rails ends to be bolted together with fishplates, and the ballast tampers are waiting their turn to finish off. The foreman is keeping a close watch on proceedings, and an array of lamps are lighting the scene. There is a wonderful richness and warmth to the colour palette used.
Year Published - 1949
Size - Quad Royal (approx 50 x 40in or 127 x 101.5cm) plus linen border.
Other Details:
Original Vintage British Railways Travel Poster.
Published by The Railway Executive (A.R.1112)
Printed by Waterlow & Sons Limited, London and Dunstable
Condition Grade and Condition Report:
Grade: B+, we have had this poster conservation-backed on linen. For more details of the process please see the "Conservation" page of this website.
Repaired nicks and tears to the left side, watercolour touch-ups to small surface scuffs and to large scuff towards the top left, small damp stains in top border, paper a little age-browned. More detailed photos are available on request if required.
More About The Artist:
Terence Cuneo was a hugely accomplished artist, born in London, the son of artists. There is a wealth of his original work in various museums, including many war works, his railways work and his official artwork for the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. His works and posters produced from them are highly collectable around the world. He was awarded the OBE, was a CVO, and his life-size statue is to be seen at London's Waterloo Station.
