Philip Butler
@artdecomagpie.bsky.social
English photographer documenting Britain’s surviving interwar architecture. Books: 226 Garages out on FUEL Trackside Transformation - British Railway Stations 1923-1947 out on ADM
This is Trackside Transformation, a book which is the first attempt (as far as I can tell) to fully catalogue British mainline railway station architecture of the Grouping era (1923-47). It's written by me to accompany photographs by @artdecomagpie.bsky.social of all the significant survivors.
Free event this Saturday. Music, food, and photos of garages! The Green Garage, Walmer, Kent
Get your tickets here for our next online event! www.artdecosociety.uk/events-2/ Trackside Transformation: Mainline Railway Station Architecture 1923-47 An online talk by Daniel Wright Tuesday, 28th July. 7.30pm See you online. ADSUK
If you like my work, you'll love this- please come along to the launch next Friday, 6-8pm in the Plaza, Port Talbot. Showing work from the first phase of my project: Steeling Ourselves: Reflections from Port Talbot After the Blast Furnace closure, created by acclaimed photographer Jon Pountney
The people spoke, their local council ignored them. Shameful. In Dec 2025 a remarkable 9-day occupation of the humble 1950s Sheringham Bus Shelter thwarted an attempted demolition by Norfolk County Council. This week, their beloved streamline moderne shelter was unceremoniously flattened.
This article by @danielhwright.bsky.social includes a wonderful photograph of Richmond station by Philip Butler. Aside from the banal use of the word ‘Station’ on the façade (without a Rail Symbol), there are two house flags flying (overkill perhaps?) which caught my attention and reminded me…
The Beauty of Transport@thebeautyoftransport.com · 4mo agoWrote this for @lonrec.bsky.social on my new accidental specialist subject…
Wrote this for @lonrec.bsky.social on my new accidental specialist subject…
London Reconnections@lonrec.bsky.social · 4mo agoGreater London’s overlooked Art Deco railway stations
You know all about those Art Deco London Underground stations from the 1920s/30s - but what was happening on the mainline railway? Let me tell you all about it... I'm giving a talk to @artdecosocuk.bsky.social on 28 July and it's open to everyone. Tickets at: www.artdecosociety.uk/events-2/
Pause visuelle, une bonne baffe avec les tickets de trains du Japon qui sont clairement dans une autre catégorie que ceux de notre SNCF ! www.presentandcorrec...
Former Leyland Motor Company Ltd, Glasgow (1933) Designed by James Miller Category B listed
Following on from the post below, my copy of Trackside Transformation has now arrived. Pilgrimages to places like Bishopstone are definitely in order (and I look on some in my old manor, West Croydon for instance, in a whole new light).
Christopher Hilton@chilton-bb.bsky.social · 6mo agoSome much-needed love for the inter-war modern stations of South London: "south of the river, off the Tube" means they struggle to get visibility and be seen as peers to Holden's new stations on the Piccadilly and Northern lines, but there's cracking stuff there. londonist.com/london/trans...
NEWS: The former Odeon Cinema in Morecambe (1937), now a hardware and bathroom supply shop, has been Grade II listed following support from C20 Society. The Streamlined Moderne style cinema was one of 7 designed for Odeon by architect William Calder Robson; 3 of which survive, all are now listed.
Just over a month until our next online event, and we are very excited! A Curator's Talk: Art deco; the golden age of poster design on Tuesday, 26th May 7.30pm. Here is more information and details to book tickets: www.artdecosociety.uk/events-2/
Events – Art Deco Society
artdecosociety.uk
Art Deco Society UK@artdecosocuk.bsky.social · 7mo agoIn this talk, Georgia will give behind-the-scenes insight into curating the Art Deco poster exhibition. What it takes to produce a temporary exhibition; all the way from how she selected just 100 posters from the thousands the Museum possesses, to developing a narrative for the visitor.
Some much-needed love for the inter-war modern stations of South London: "south of the river, off the Tube" means they struggle to get visibility and be seen as peers to Holden's new stations on the Piccadilly and Northern lines, but there's cracking stuff there. londonist.com/london/trans...
South London's Inter-War Stations Built To Rival The Tube's
Step aside, Charles Holden.
londonist.com
I’m on one of my occasional trips to England. Today I’ve been with @artdecomagpie.bsky.social signing copies of Trackside Transformation for our pre-publication backers. If you are one, thank you and it’s coming soon! If you aren’t, you can buy a copy at: artdecomagpie.bigcartel.com/product/pre-...
Just opened the cracking new book by Daniel Wright & Philip Butler aka @thebeautyoftransport.com Absolutely First Class images and text on the stations built by the ‘Big Four’ ( #GWR, #LNER, #LMS, and #SouthernRailway) 1923-1947. Bravo to author and photographer. Do seek it out for your collection!
Great to get a copy of Trackside Transformation, a guide to the evolution of British Mainline station from 1923-47 by Philip Butler and Daniel Wright, this week. Really looking forward to digging in. You can preorder a copy here artdecomagpie.bigcartel.com/product/pre-...
@thebeautyoftransport.com my copy of Trackside Transformation turned up today. It is a truly tremendous work, I can’t think of a superlative sufficient enough. The pictures are stunning, the information amazing. Far, far more detailed than I had expected. Brilliant work both of you!
Something I will no doubt be spamming all over your timelines nearer the event, but if you want to get in early, I'm doing a talk for @artdecosocuk.bsky.social about Grouping-era mainline stations, based on my and @artdecomagpie.bsky.social's recent book. Tickets via artdecosociety.uk/events-2/
I would like to echo Philip's comments. Thank you so much to everyone who has (to my great relief) shown it's not just us two that think the mainline stations of the Grouping era deserve their time in the spotlight. Your support means a lot to us and we hope you enjoy the book!
Philip Butler@artdecomagpie.bsky.social · 8mo agoA huge thanks to everyone who backed our Kickstarter, which ended today. We hope you enjoy the book. Horsham station, West Sussex (1938) / Southern Railway
A huge thanks to everyone who backed our Kickstarter, which ended today. We hope you enjoy the book. Horsham station, West Sussex (1938) / Southern Railway
The Cheshire Lines Committee opened three stations during the Grouping era. Only tiny Chassen station survives. This is @artdecomagpie.bsky.social's portrait of it - the only photo in this thread from the book. If you want to see the rest of his photos, you'll just have to buy the book I'm afraid.
Just one week left to back Trackside Transformation on Kickstarter. If you’re interested in railway stations or interwar architecture, it won’t disappoint.
Kingston upon Thames station (1935). Designed and built by The Southern Railway.
...the surviving jewel in the crown, Doncaster. Recently benefitting from a @railwayheritage.bsky.social / LNER (the current version) restoration including a landscaped forecourt instead of the previous dismal car park. This is @artdecomagpie.bsky.social's portrait, from the book.
Let's look at stations built by the LNER (Grouping version 1923-47, not today's TOC!). (Of course this is partly a plug for new book #TracksideTransformation by @artdecomagpie.bsky.social and me which profiles survivors: pre-order yours for a nice saving on the cover price at: kck.st/3YjDPIO) 1/11
Let's look at stations built by the Great Western Railway (post-Grouping version 1923-47). (Of course this is partly a plug for new book #TracksideTransformation by @artdecomagpie.bsky.social and me which profiles survivors: pre-order yours for a saving on the cover price at: kck.st/3YjDPIO) 1/11
This is Leamington Spa, and the only picture in this thread from the book, as is obvious from the fact that it's the best image. If you want to see @artdecomagpie.bsky.social's lovely photos of the other stations, I'm afraid you'll just have to buy the book.
