Category Archives: Postcard Listings

The ultimate aim of this section is to provide details on all known railway postcards ever published.

Yes, this will be imposssible, but never the less we are going to try….

A basic definition on what constitutes a Postcard: “a card designed and published for postal use”. The general traits are that it has a space for an address and message. It may say “Postcard” or local language equivalent, it may have a box to indicate where a stamp should be affixed, it is likely to be printed on card rather than paper, although some of the photographic “cards” can be rather flimsy. So this excludes completely plain back printed cards and cigarette cards (unless they were printed with dual functionality to be used as postcards). It also excludes photographs although a lot of photograhic prints were printed as postcards or are ink stamped stamped “Postcard” on the back in which case they are included.

A basic definition of “railway”: “anything directly associated with a rail transport enterprise”

So postcards bearing Railway letter fee stamps or even Railway company “Perfin” stamps are covered as are trams. The scope for images on postcards is vast with trains, railway architecture, permanent way, railway related artefacts, and advertising all included. Model and minature railways are also within the definition but postcards featuring images of fair ground rides and “road trains” are outside the scope. Shipping and hotels owned or run by railway companies are also included.

All this said, don’t take these definitions too seriously because if its interesting its likely to be included.

Please do not expect this section to be fully populated any time soon. Priority will be given to areas where members have shown interest and contributions from members will be greatly appreciated.

Rushden Station Museum

Posted on August 26, 2024August 26, 2024 by Rod Ash

In 2024 it is still possible to find railway related postcards for sale, and railway museums and heritage centres still offer plenty of opportunities. One of the UK’s smaller and less known railway museums is at Rushden station in Northamptonshire. The main museum is housed in the station building and it is packed with transport related items. There is also a running line where a class 142 pacer unit offers regular rides on a short section of the track. The road bridge at the northern end of the station has long since been removed preventing any track relaying in that direction. As for postcards there were two available at the time of my visit in early August. One showing the station as at 1894 and the other showing the pacer unit. In addition a wooden cabin on the platform contained a selection of old postcards on a wide variety of subjects to sort through.

Well worth a visit if you haven’t been.

East Anglia Transport Museum

Posted on July 30, 2018July 30, 2018 by Rod Ash

The East Anglia Transport Museum incorporates the East Suffolk Light Railway

Close to Great Yarmouth the site is packed with railway and other transport items.

The railway is run using Simplex diesels and a return trip lasts only a few minutes including a far end run around.

The two postcards available are shown above.

Well worth a visit.

Bekonscot – Beaconsfield

Posted on October 27, 2017October 27, 2017 by Rod Ash

I paid my first visit here a couple of months ago. I don’t know why I hadn’t visited before because it’s great…

It’s a model village first constructed in the 1930’s with a significant railway theme. The ticket office is a BR mark 1 carriage. It’s a short walk from the station.

The signal box controlling the model railway is a treat.

Older postcards have been produced but the current offering is detailed below ( one is a wooden postcard):

Bristol Harbour Railway

Posted on October 15, 2017October 15, 2017 by Rod Ash

The Bristol Harbour Railway operates at certain weekends through the year and uses local Avonmouth steam tank engines to transport passengers along the dockside from a city centre location to the dock of Brunel’s SS Great Britain. There is a general transport museum located in warehouses beside the line that house a variety of exhibits with a local connection.

The museum shop does have a small selection of postcards from the Star Editions range featuring Bristol.

The Amerton Railway

Posted on September 17, 2017September 17, 2017 by Rod Ash

Just by the A518 between Stafford and Uttoxeter can be found the Amerton Railway. This ia a 2′ gauge line around a lake and farm land.

Most of the locos have local Staffordshire connections. There’s an interesting assembly of steam and diesels.

My Sept 2017 visit found three postcards for sale in the ticket office/shop.

Royal Deeside Railway

Posted on August 31, 2017August 31, 2017 by Rod Ash

Based at Milton of Crathes, not far from Aberdeen, the Royal Deeside Railway is a long trip for England based railway postcard collectors, but one which will be rewarded with a shop stocking eleven postcards of the line (August 2017). There is also a large range of greetings cards produced by a local artist. The relayed lines do not yet reach Banchory, but the short journey has pleasant scenery.

The Caledonian Railway – Brechin

Posted on August 31, 2017December 1, 2017 by Rod Ash

My recent visit to Brechin was the first time I’ve visited this railway. Why have I not gone before – it’s got so much that I love about preserved railways.

The people are really friendly, there’s steam and diesel, the two major station buildings are authentic and I had a great time. The shop at Brechin had four postcards.

Aln Valley Railway

Posted on August 31, 2017August 31, 2017 by Rod Ash

Set beside the A1 north of Newcastle the Aln Valley railway has great plans. A lot has been already achieved with a loco depot and vehicle storage building already providing cover to several resident items of rolling stock. The current running line is very short but steam traction is provided most of the time.

The shop has a good selection of wares including three postcards featuring Richboro.

Second hand postcards were also to be found in a fund raising vehicle on site.

Elham Valley Trust

Posted on August 31, 2017August 31, 2017 by Rod Ash

Located within a couple of miles of Dollands Moor, the Elham Valley railway centre isn’t what it first appears to be.

You find a visitor centre and a segregated railway “station”. Within the station area is a signal box and several buildings containing, a super museum, a shop, and a huge model of the channel tunnel together with construction artifacts. There’s a standard gauge tank loco on a piece of track and a miniature railway.

The visitor discovers that the site buildings are relatively recent creations, with the old line alignment crossing on an embankment through the centre of the site at right angles to the “station”. Even the petrol motor sounds from the 7 1/4″ miniature railway locomotive are artificial as it runs on a battery.

All in all well worth a visit, and they even print their own postcards. A visit in August 2017 yielded four cards but a fifth was out of stock.