SYMBOLS of a bygone era of the rail network will go on show over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Visitors to Monkwearmouth Station Museum, in Sunderland, can view an exhibition of railway posters.

The display charts the array of posters produced to promote the East Coast line during the 1920s and 1930s.

On show will be some of the best railway posters from their heyday between the two world wars.

Renowned for their artistic appeal and commercial effectiveness, they were produced by some of the most popular artists of the day.

Among those recruited to promote travel on the East Coast route were Frank H Mason, Frank Newbould, Austin Cooper, RE Higgins and John Littlejohns.

Martin Routledge, keeper of social history from the Tyne and Wear Museums Service, said: "This exhibition will give visitors the opportunity to see works by some of Britain's best artists from the 1920s and 1930s in the unique format of railway posters.

"They sold the benefits of travelling by train to places of interest along the East Coast, from London to the Moray Firth, but also including local resports Roker and Seaburn.

"Visitors will be able to gain an insight into the world of railway advertising, as well as having the chance to take part in a programme of exciting activities."

The museum is at the former Monkwearmouth Station, in North Bridge Street, Sunderland.

For details of events to be staged around the exhibition, which runs from today until October 31, call 0191-553 2323.

Published: 01/05/2004