A NEW exhibition focusing on the art of publicity will open at the Steam Museum next week.

Visitors to Steam will discover the ways in which the Great Western Railway’s publicity department worked hard to advertise the company’s service and encourage holiday makers to travel by rail.

Entitled The Art of Publicity, the special exhibition opens on Monday, January 8 and focuses on the artwork used to publicise tourist destinations along the GWR’s routes.

A number of striking publicity materials produced by the GWR will form the basis of the exhibition.

It will include railway posters and beautiful carriage prints from the Steam collection.

Councillor Garry Perkins, Swindon Borough Council’s cabinet member responsible for Steam, said: “This is a fascinating exhibition and is a real must for anyone with an interest in the history of the GWR.

“Some of the posters and carriage prints are marvellous pieces of work and really bring to life how the GWR marketed the numerous destinations along its railway lines.”

To accompany the new exhibition, visitors are invited to join Steam on a virtual journey through time across the GWR network.

On a monthly basis during 2018, the museum’s social media channels will share a picture of a location along the GWR route, beginning at Paddington Station in London, travelling west and ending in Penzance in Cornwall.

The Art of Publicity is included with standard Steam admission, special event admission, and also to Steam museum season ticket holders.

Visit www.steam-museum.org.uk for more.