Success for railway artists after opening hiccup

Sam Hewitt

–

22nd November 2016

One of the Guild of Railway Artists most successful annual exhibitions closed its doors at the Severn Valley Railway on October 2.

It followed five weeks of substantial public interest and buoyant sales of the works on display, which culminated in two paintings being sold even as the exhibition was being dismantled.

Duchess at night: Visitors to the Guild of Railway Artists Railart 2016 exhibition voted as their favourite this painting by John Austin of LMS Princess Coronation No. 46240 City of Coventry speeding south at Tamworth with a night-time express from Scotland. — Duchess at night: Visitors to the Guild of Railway Artists Railart 2016 exhibition voted as their favourite this painting by John Austin of LMS Princess Coronation No. 46240 *City of Coventry* speeding south at Tamworth with a night-time express from Scotland.

The positive vibes were in contrast to the hiccup on the opening day on
August 27, when Pete Waterman was scheduled to formally launch proceedings. The pop impresario was delayed by BBC work and unable to make it on time, but by good fortune Brigadier Charles Smith, a railway enthusiast himself, happened to be passing the venue – the SVR museum at Kidderminster – and stepped into the breach to perform an unrehearsed formal opening.

Article continues below…
Advert

Enjoy more Heritage Railway reading in the four-weekly magazine.
Click here to subscribe & save.

In his address Brigadier Smith, who holds the George Medal, explained how he had been walking past the station when he was hijacked to perform the opening.

Read more in Issue 222 of Heritage Railway

Advert