Book excerpt: Railway posters have huge appeal for the modern audience, but just what explains this continuing interest? Enduring images of iconic locomotives, bathing beauties and characters such as Sunny South Sam are testament to the creativity of the railway company marketing departments and the posters tell us not only about railway history and technology, architectural and engineering accomplishments, but also about the cultural and social significance of the railways. The influence of the railway industry on our cities and coastlines, and on the development of leisure time and holiday resorts, can be seen in the recurring images of ramblers, bathers and idyllic tourist destinations. This book explores the changing styles and functions of the railway poster from the early pre-grouping days through to the inter-war 'golden age' and nationalised British Railways.