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Philip Butler

@artdecomagpie.bsky.social
126 followers 75 following 37 posts

English photographer documenting Britain’s surviving interwar architecture. Books: 226 Garages out on FUEL Trackside Transformation - British Railway Stations 1923-1947 out on ADM

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Reposted by Philip Butler
The Beauty of Transport @thebeautyoftransport.com · 17/09/2026
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.
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Philip Butler @artdecomagpie.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Free event this Saturday. Music, food, and photos of garages! The Green Garage, Walmer, Kent
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Art Deco Society UK @artdecosocuk.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
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
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Jon Pountney @jonpountney1.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
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
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C20 Society @c20society.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
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.
Image credit: Art UKImage credit: Gareth Gabriel
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doublearrow.co.uk @doublearrow64.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
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…
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The Beauty of Transport @thebeautyoftransport.com · 10/06/2026
Wrote this for @lonrec.bsky.social on my new accidental specialist subject…
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The Beauty of Transport @thebeautyoftransport.com · 09/06/2026
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/
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Pierre Arlais @pierrearlais.bsky.social · 22/07/2025
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...
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Philip Butler @artdecomagpie.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
Former Leyland Motor Company Ltd, Glasgow (1933) Designed by James Miller Category B listed
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Christopher Hilton @chilton-bb.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
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).
The cover of "Trackside Transformation: the evolution of British mainline stations 1923-1947" by Daniel Wright and Philip Butler.  The cover is mostly green with text in black and yellow highlighting; the general style is interwar Moderne.  The book rests on green tissue paper, on which a sticker carrying the logos of the Big Four interwar British railway companies has been used as a seal.
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C20 Society @c20society.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
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.
Former Odeon Cinema, Morecambe - William Calder Robson for Harry Weedon and Partners, 1937
Image © Philip Butler Odeon Cinema, Morecambe - William Calder Robson for Harry Weedon and Partners, 1937
Image © John Maltby
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Art Deco Society UK @artdecosocuk.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
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/
artdecosociety.uk
Events – Art Deco Society
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Christopher Hilton @chilton-bb.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
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...
londonist.com
South London's Inter-War Stations Built To Rival The Tube's
Step aside, Charles Holden.
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Philip Butler @artdecomagpie.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
londonist.com/london/trans...
londonist.com
South London's Inter-War Stations Built To Rival The Tube's
Step aside, Charles Holden.
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Reposted by Philip Butler
The Beauty of Transport @thebeautyoftransport.com · 21/03/2026
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-...
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Markonthemaps (Mark Ovenden) @markonthemaps.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
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!
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Modernism in Metro-Land @modinmetro.bsky.social · 07/03/2026
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-...
A colour photograph of the cover of Trackside Transformation
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Alan Ford @alanford.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
@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!
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The Beauty of Transport @thebeautyoftransport.com · 19/02/2026
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/
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The Beauty of Transport @thebeautyoftransport.com · 08/02/2026
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!
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Philip Butler @artdecomagpie.bsky.social · 08/02/2026
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
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The Beauty of Transport @thebeautyoftransport.com · 03/02/2026
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.
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Philip Butler @artdecomagpie.bsky.social · 01/02/2026
Just one week left to back Trackside Transformation on Kickstarter. If you’re interested in railway stations or interwar architecture, it won’t disappoint.
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Philip Butler @artdecomagpie.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
Kingston upon Thames station (1935). Designed and built by The Southern Railway.
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The Beauty of Transport @thebeautyoftransport.com · 29/01/2026
...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.
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The Beauty of Transport @thebeautyoftransport.com · 29/01/2026
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
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The Beauty of Transport @thebeautyoftransport.com · 21/01/2026
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
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The Beauty of Transport @thebeautyoftransport.com · 21/01/2026
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.
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Philip Butler @artdecomagpie.bsky.social · 19/01/2026
Woking station, Surrey (1937) / Southern Railway
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Philip Butler @artdecomagpie.bsky.social · 18/01/2026
Side entrance and bridge at Bishopstone station, East Sussex
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Philip Butler @artdecomagpie.bsky.social · 15/01/2026
Signal box, Portsmouth Harbour station (1946) / Southern Railway
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Philip Butler @artdecomagpie.bsky.social · 14/01/2026
Curved concrete canopies on a chilly winter morning - Tolworth station.
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Philip Butler @artdecomagpie.bsky.social · 14/01/2026
Footbridge at Exeter St Davids station, showing original GWR tiling (1938), and murals by Bridget Hall (1992)
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The Beauty of Transport @thebeautyoftransport.com · 14/01/2026
Let's look at stations built by the London, Midland & Scottish Railway (1923-47). (Of course this is partly a plug for new book #TracksideTransformation by @artdecomagpie.bsky.social and me which profiles survivors: pre-order your copy for a saving on the cover price at: kck.st/3YjDPIO) 1/11
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Philip Butler @artdecomagpie.bsky.social · 07/01/2026
A huge thanks to everyone who has backed our Kickstarter so far. We hit the base target yesterday, which is really gratifying. 🙏🙂 It runs until February 8th, so plenty of time to get involved if 20s and 30s railway stations are your thing. Photo: Havant station, Hampshire (1938) / Southern Railway.
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The Beauty of Transport @thebeautyoftransport.com · 07/01/2026
I thought it might be interesting to share some of the background to #TracksideTransformation (pre-order your copy at a discount on cover price at kck.st/3YjDPIO). I grew up in Luton (LMS station, 1939) and Hastings (Southern station, 1931). I'm very fond of Grouping-era stations.
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The Beauty of Transport @thebeautyoftransport.com · 06/01/2026
Thanks so much to @ianvisits.co.uk for covering @artdecomagpie.bsky.social’s and my new book Trackside Transformation on mainline station architecture of the Grouping era.
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The Beauty of Transport @thebeautyoftransport.com · 04/01/2026
I'm excited to announce I've collaborated with photographer Philip Butler (@artdecomagpie.bsky.social) on a book of mainline stations from the Big Four era 1923-47. A treat for lovers of railway Modernism (and Neo-classicism). Full details in article. thebeautyoftransport.com/2026/01/04/i...
thebeautyoftransport.com
Invisible Masterpieces – the Big Four’s Stations 1923-47 (and a book all about them)
Have you ever had a project you’ve started on without any idea of the scale of work you’ve just committed to? Well, if you want to know one of the reasons that I haven’t been writ…
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Philip Butler @artdecomagpie.bsky.social · 04/01/2026
On Kickstarter from today: Trackside Transformation - The Evolution of British Mainline Stations 1923-1947 by Daniel Wright @thebeautyoftransport.com with photography by myself, Philip Butler.
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The Beauty of Transport @thebeautyoftransport.com · 01/01/2026
Thank goodness, I can finally say it. I have written a book! With architectural photographer @artdecomagpie.bsky.social! See thread below for a link to pre-register with our Kickstarter so that we can actually pay the printers. More details when we launch officially on 4th January.
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Philip Butler @artdecomagpie.bsky.social · 01/01/2026
Happy New Year! Here’s a photo of Surbiton Station taken from my new book with @thebeautyoftransport.com ‘Trackside Transformation - The Evolution of British Mainline Stations 1923 - 1947’. We’re running a Kickstarter to fund publication, which will launch this Sunday, January 4th.
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The Beauty of Transport @thebeautyoftransport.com · 13/09/2025
Two new transport books for my wishlist from @artdecomagpie.bsky.social and Christopher Herwig. www.wallpaper.com/transportati...
wallpaper.com
On the road again with two new monographs focusing on the art and architecture of transit
Fuel Publishing has released Trucks and Tuks and 226 Garages and Service Stations, two monographs charting intriguingly different aspects of automotive culture
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C20 Society @c20society.bsky.social · 11/09/2025
💥 C20 Society's definitive new book 'Cooling Towers: A celebration of sculptural beauty, industrial history and architectural legacy' (by @batsfordbooks.bsky.social) is published today! 🛒 Order your copy now: lnkd.in/ecKRAPMR
Cooling Towers: A celebration of sculptural beauty, industrial history and architectural legacy by Batsford Books, 2025Cooling Towers: A celebration of sculptural beauty, industrial history and architectural legacy by Batsford Books, 2025Cooling Towers: A celebration of sculptural beauty, industrial history and architectural legacy by Batsford Books, 2025
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Philip Butler @artdecomagpie.bsky.social · 11/09/2025
226 Garages review in Wallpaper* today, alongside FUEL’s other new book Trucks and Tuks by Christopher Herwig. “A wonderful survey of an overlooked typology” www.wallpaper.com/transportati...
wallpaper.com
On the road again with two new monographs focusing on the art and architecture of transit
Fuel Publishing has released Trucks and Tuks and 226 Garages and Service Stations, two monographs charting intriguingly different aspects of automotive culture
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Philip Butler @artdecomagpie.bsky.social · 27/08/2025
226 Garages has been featured by The Guardian! 😁 www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...
theguardian.com
Pump it up! The UK’s most glorious garages – in pictures
From the mock-Tudor fad of the 1920s to drivers refuelling on a roundabout, each era produces its own distinctive petrol stations – as photographer Philip Butler discovered
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Philip Butler @artdecomagpie.bsky.social · 25/08/2025
Great to catch up with Daniel from @thebeautyoftransport.com for a little chat about 226 Garages, photography, and why I do what I do.
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Philip Butler @artdecomagpie.bsky.social · 10/08/2025
Garage #6: East Grinstead Tyre Service, West Sussex (1936). From ‘226 Garages and Service Stations’.
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The Beauty of Transport @thebeautyoftransport.com · 07/08/2025
I have been waiting for this book to be published for quite some time and I can promise you it is worth the wait. It is interesting and it is gorgeous.
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Philip Butler @artdecomagpie.bsky.social · 07/08/2025
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...
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