London Transport - London Underground Central line Western Extension open June 30 poster : Zero, 1947
The works to extend the Central line both east and west was originally instigated as part of the London Passenger Transport Board's New Works Programme of 1935-40, a vast investment programme whose scope and delivery would be seen as eye-watering even today. Much of the investment woudl be delivered although following the outbreak of war in 1939 and then post-war austerity it would take decades to complete what should have largely been delivered by the early 1940s.
One project that was well underway by 1939 but that was suspended was the expansion of the Central line - that to the north-east being jointly undertaken with the LNER mainline railway and this, to the west, along with the GWR whose existing lines out towards Ruislip the new electric tracks would parallel. The GWR were largely responsible for major infrastructure works such as station buildings and so for this poster their logo is also shown alongside the LT roundel. Interestingly, the final extension beyond Greenford would take place in 1948 and so, following nationalisation of both the GWR and LT, show the roundel and the new BR 'totem' logo.
This poster, the artwork from which was also used as the basis for publicity leaflets, is by Zero aka Hans Schleger, a designer who had worked for LT on such designs since the mid-1930s. It take the form of a bow firing the arrow of the new line west - a detail that is emphasised by the left pointing arrowhead alongside the roundel logo.
London Transport - London Underground Central line Western Extension open June 30 poster : Zero, 1947
The works to extend the Central line both east and west was originally instigated as part of the London Passenger Transport Board's New Works Programme of 1935-40, a vast investment programme whose scope and delivery would be seen as eye-watering even today. Much of the investment woudl be delivered although following the outbreak of war in 1939 and then post-war austerity it would take decades to complete what should have largely been delivered by the early 1940s.
One project that was well underway by 1939 but that was suspended was the expansion of the Central line - that to the north-east being jointly undertaken with the LNER mainline railway and this, to the west, along with the GWR whose existing lines out towards Ruislip the new electric tracks would parallel. The GWR were largely responsible for major infrastructure works such as station buildings and so for this poster their logo is also shown alongside the LT roundel. Interestingly, the final extension beyond Greenford would take place in 1948 and so, following nationalisation of both the GWR and LT, show the roundel and the new BR 'totem' logo.
This poster, the artwork from which was also used as the basis for publicity leaflets, is by Zero aka Hans Schleger, a designer who had worked for LT on such designs since the mid-1930s. It take the form of a bow firing the arrow of the new line west - a detail that is emphasised by the left pointing arrowhead alongside the roundel logo.