© Railway Wonders of the World 2012-
A great strength of Railway Wonders of the World was the illustrations used throughout the part work. The publishers reckoned “2,000 superb pictures in colour, photogravure and black-and-white” were used in compiling this “fascinating and informative work”. These pages explore the richness of these illustrations in more detail, providing further information about the full-colour covers, the eighteen colour plates, the seventeen art plates, the seventeen photogravure supplements, and the full-page black and white illustrations. To find out more, choose the relevant category from these links, or browse from the following list.
In addition, there are separate pages listing locomotive, carriage and wagon illustrations.
Illustrating Railway Wonders of the World
The Full-Colour Covers
Every issue of Railway Wonders of the World came with a full-colour cover.
There are fifty in all, and they can be seen by using the Volume 1 or Volume 2 tabs, since every cover is illustrated on this website.
The following link will take you to a page which further explores these covers by Railway Company or Region of the World. Or click on the cover of part 2.
The vast majority of covers were of British steam locomotives. There were only four covers that did not follow this general theme.
Colour Plates
Approximately every third issue contained a full-colour plate.
There are eighteen in total, with part 14 uniquely including two.
The following link lists all the colour plates, or click on the image of the “Flying Scotsman”.
They also feature within the details of the relevant issue of Railway Wonders of the World on this website.
Black and White Art Plates
Approximately every third issue contained a black and white art plate. There are seventeen in total.
The following link lists all these art plates, or click on the image of the “Princess Royal”.
They also feature within the details of the relevant issue of Railway Wonders of the World on this website.
Photogravure Supplements
Approximately every third issue contained a photogravure supplement printed on heavier paper. There are seventeen supplements in total.
The following link lists all the photogravure supplements, or click on the image of the “Giant German Locomotive”.
They also feature within the details of the relevant issue of Railway Wonders of the World on this website.
