Architectural photographer Philip Butler's new book "226 Garages and Service Stations" is out imminently, and Britain's garages have never looked so good. #TheBeautyOfTransport talks to Philip about the book, car-related roadside architecture, and his approach to architectural photography.

I miss this too. It was just such a pretty time.

Wilfully contrarian to the end, #TheBeautyOfTransport explains why Thanet Parkway (yes, the 'ugly' one) isn't nearly so bad as most people seem to think. It's the plucky little station that could, built while endless consultations took place, costs rose and a pandemic raged.

Six years since I started to photograph old garages across Britain, I’m delighted to announce publication of a book collecting together the best examples. 226 Garages and Service Stations is out in FUEL in September. Available from wherever you buy your books. fuel-design.com/publishing/2...

ICYMI - new article on the website about the latest revisions to Network Rail's "Wayfinding" design manual, with input from @doublearrow64.bsky.social. And watch a video of the lovely new wayfinding signs being installed at Clapham Junction here: vimeo.com/1095076736?m...

Breaking down the changes to Network Rail's wayfinding standards in version 3 of its "Wayfinding" design manual - #TheBeautyOfTransport gets all the detail from graphic/typographic designer Nick Job.

I am increasingly convinced that the most useful thing classmates and I were taught at school (in Junior yr 2 / yr 4 in the new money) was to use a calculator with our non-dominant hand at the same time as writing with our dominant hands. Our (visionary, it turns out) teacher Mrs Jones insisted.

General, erm, events have caused me to recall an extraordinary BBC one-off drama from 1993 but set in 2013: “Europe on the Brink”. Done docu-style, it imagined a Europe walled off from immigrants and about to go to war with a declining America. Phew! Dodged that. genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/0a65ac6e3f66...

A random thought occurs. Perhaps people (including me) might not be so down on the architecture (or lack thereof) at some recent British railway stations if we still called the small ones "... Halt". Maybe "Ashington Halt", "Thanet Parkway Halt" etc. would have tempered expectations?

The Railways of #Orkney, part 6 of an occasional series. Orkney rolling stock, round the back of the Scapa Flow Museum.

I know that any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic, but this article just further convinces me that LED lighting is little short of modern witchcraft. Endless reliable illumination that consumes virtually no electricity. A remarkable invention.

And we are live! Do visit Waterloo to see our 40th anniversary exhibition - until 18 April. #RHT40

We're 40 this year & celebrating with a free travelling exhibition - 40 Years of Transformation - at London Waterloo (7-18 Apr), Bristol Temple Meads (23 Apr - 2 May), Aberystwyth VoRR (7-16 May), York Stn (19-30 May) & Edb Waverley (2-13 June). Knaresborough is featured.

Surely one of the most thrilling light rail moments available in the UK (definitely), mainland Europe (probably) if not the world (maybe): crossing the Tyne from tunnel to bridge to tunnel again on the Tyne and Wear Metro. Spectacular, and somehow inconceivable we could aspire to similar today.

Very few — if any — pneumatic tube detectors for traffic signals remain on Britain’s roads. This one in Battersea Park isn’t in use any more, but clearly shows the form of the detector. A rare survivor, and with the adjacent manhole cover.

This was one of my favourite ever @garius.bsky.social pieces (amidst strong competition), because it changed the way I looked at Twitter and helped me understand its decline. It was after reading this that I started seriously thinking about where to go instead...

I stayed in a hotel last weekend and this happened. I for one welcome our new vacuum cleaning robot overlords.

It is nearly 11pm and I’m waiting to get on board the Aberdeen ferry on my way to tomorrow’s Community Rail Awards in the far South (Newcastle Upon Tyne). I’m proud to say that this year I’m attending as a judge of three categories. See all you #CommunityRail-ers tomorrow! #CRA25

Do you like LIBRARIES? Victorian FEMINIST CHILDREN? Handmade ANTIQUARIAN BOOKS? Then this story from #Orkney Library and Archive has everything your heart desires.

Today we're in Glasgow, joining our #CommunityRail and rail industry colleagues at the #RailScotland conference, exploring key priorities for Scotland's railway, resilience to climate change and connecting communities across the country’s railways 🚉 #ConnectingScotland

New Video! This one's all about Labour's nationalisation plans for the railways, containing all you need to know from the future of open access, to the role for devolved nations and mayoral authorities! I put a lot of effort into it so would really appreciate any support: youtu.be/wMlpkUefQIk

The logic is unarguable and has been ever since the first Overground lines. I did enjoy @ianvisits.co.uk note that, "The report is full of aspirations, but little detail about what practical plans are in place to deliver them," which sounds like far too much transport planning in this country.

The Railways of #Orkney, part 5 of an occasional series (haven't done one for a while). On North Ronaldsay pier, this 100-yard railway, standard gauge, was for launching the mail boat. I don't really understand this; maybe it was like launching Fireball XL5. More here: canmore.org.uk/site/3676/no...

Do all cats like mayonnaise or is it just mine?

Fellow fans of Pip the Tugboat might be as pleased as I was to see that the big real-life tugboats were in Stromness Harbour today.

I know this isn't the number one issue facing the world right now, but why are the 5-pack white Creme Eggs exclusive to Asda? It is infuriating.

It’s one of the best days on the #CommunityRail calendar. Has Father Christmas brought you an early Christmas present with a place on the shortlist for the Community Rail Awards 2025? Whatever happens at the awards ceremony in Newcastle next March, everyone who entered is a winner in my eyes.

Up early this morning for a trip on Scotland’s best public transport route, the Pentland Firth ferry operated by MV Hamnavoe. She looks very pretty, doesn’t she?

So we’re just allowed to post things that we like again, without a pile-on, are we now? How nice. In that case please enjoy Nina Humphrey’s strange and beautiful score to BBC4’s already nearly-forgotten remake of A for Andromeda. on.soundcloud.com/Vpc22q31uJn9...

ICYMI - I have been writing again, this time an article about signage and those funny logos that identify Network Rail's managed stations. Even though they should have been phased out ages ago, they still keep appearing...

#TheBeautyOfTransport revisits one of its most popular articles, with the continuing story of Railtrack/Network Rail's major station logos.

The Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill makes it a requirement for DfT-administered franchises to be awarded to public sector operators once an Act. But TfL has just awarded the next Elizabeth line concession to a consortium including private sector companies. Fascinating divergence.

OK TOPS-geeks, buckle up. It's time for a trip to the wild side with a thread (updated as and when) of #9-series locomotive and multiple units. /9 sub-classes are home to the weird, wonderful, and one-offs. Everyone else - grumblings about transport policy etc will resume outwith here.

You can visit the route of West Highland #CommunityRail Partnership with Alan Cumming in the first ep of Scotland’s Poshest Train! And you can meet the CRP’s Hege Hernæs, who also manages Glenfinnan Station Museum. Must admit train is posher than my usual work ones. www.channel4.com/programmes/a...

Orkney just being gorgeous today. It does this a lot.

As I am currently back in the world of #CommunityRail, working part time to support @communityrail.bsky.social members in Scotland, this seems like a good time to mention Scenic Rail Britain's new mini-film, featuring the loveliness of accessing Scotland By Train. Enjoy!

Fresh off my idea for The Traitors International, I now have an idea for a special ltd series of Strictly (you’re welcome, BBC…). I would v much like Strictly: The Professionals. Pair up 12 of the pros into six couples, two dances per week. No viewer vote, judges eliminate one couple per week. 1/2

I have just finished watching The Traitors NZ. And now I have an idea. Ready? The Traitors International. Players drawn from finalists of Traitors shows from around the world. We also get to enjoy that this time they really understand what they’re about to put themselves through.

I finally have my copy of Nick Job’s “Arrows of desire”, the history of BR’s double arrow symbol. It is absolutely super and highly recommended. It does, I’m afraid, have an introductory essay by me. You can buy it via The Modernist: the-modernist.org/products/arr...

So I am wondering… longtime followers on The Other Place might remember #AYearOfTOPS, a (frankly ill advised) mission to list every British loco and multiple unit class, even the unbuilt ones, on a day by day basis. But now I have a new idea. 1/2 or 3

BBC's Nightsleeper has been attracting some criticism for its, er, artistic license with the rail network. But I'm actually really impressed that the fictional locomotive is a Class 94 - it is indeed the next available spare TOPS class for electric/bi-mode locos. As a TOPS geek I approve.

The Railways of #Orkney, part 4 of an occasional series. The remains of boat launching rails at Bay of Creekness, Hoy.

Absolutely fascinating look behind the scenes at Kirkwall Power Station’s open day, as part of #Orkney Science Festival. Big, big engines.

The Railways of #Orkney, part 3 of an occasional series. These are the remains of a self acting incline railway linking a camp at the upper end to the gun battery at Scad Head (picture 3) at the lower end.

If like me you grew up devouring the Target novelisations of Doctor Who (I reread so many of mine so many times that some of them fell apart) then could I just recommend Matthew Michael’s ongoing weekly review of each one? Brings back so many memories… matthewmichael.org/complete-doc...

The Railways of #Orkney, part 2 of an occasional series. This is one of Orkney’s shorter railways, at the Links Battery, Stromness. The track was used for ammunition trollies serving a twin 6-pounder gun which defended one of the entrances to Scapa Flow during the Second World War.

#BikesAtPollingStations I’ve just voted at the polling station in beautiful Stromness, Orkney. This seems like a good time to share some personal news (as the expressions has it) and say that as of a fortnight ago, this is where I now live.

The Railways of Orkney, part 1 of an occasional series. Train tracks at Lyness, Hoy; used by steam cranes (also pictured) when it was a huge wartime naval base serving the Scapa Flow anchorage.

Much Ado about Level Boarding: TfL & UK Urban Rail: www.londonreconnections.com/2024/much-ad... #TFL #accessibility #underground My article, Part 1 of 2 looking at railway accessibility in the UK. @lonrec.bsky.social

Do you know what would be a good fun job, if only I could be bothered? To go through “Gear Change”, “Bus Back Better” and the Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail, and track actual progress (if there has been any) against the commitments therein.