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It takes some strange mixture of bravery, confidence, and the thickest of skins to take on the job of redesigning a national icon. Once again, the rail industry’s “double arrow”, the symbol that has come completely to mean “railway” in Britain, has been given a facelift. Previous attempts to adapt or reimagine the symbol have […]
14th Dec 2022

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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 writing here as much as I might have done otherwise, I’m happy to announce one of the projects that has […]

4th Jan 2026 • 1 votes
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Never(?) Decreasing Circles (Railtrack/Network Rail major station logos, UK (continued))

One of the most enduringly popular articles on this website (at least in terms of clicks and re-posts) is a very early one, from 2013. It concerns the graphic identities created for Railtrack’s major stations by Citigate Lloyd Northover. These ones… Firstly – have I really been writing this website on and off for that […]

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More in architecture

New and Old #288

The scale of commerce, preservation versus urban life, manufactured housing, and a funny restaurant review

an hour ago • 1 votes
Seemingly Out Of Context

Given the vast numbers of commuters that the Long Island Railroad carries, It’s easy to forget that it also carries freight. From a couple of years ago, a view of tracks elevated above Glendale, Queens, as a freight train with a much-grafittied hopper car goes by some brick bow-front rowhouses:

16 hours ago • 1 votes
Inside A Modern Australian Home Surrounded By Tropical Rainforest

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2 weeks ago • 3 votes
Does Building More Housing Bankrupt Cities?

The Numerate Case for Aesthetic Abundance

3 weeks ago • 1 votes
What Happens After the Zoning Code Says "Yes"

One extra home can change the rules, the costs, and who can afford to build.

2nd Oct 2026 • 1 votes
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