c1940s GWR The Bristolian London Bristol Express Railway Postcard Steam Train For Sale

c1940s GWR The Bristolian London Bristol Express Railway Postcard Steam Train

Introduced in 1935 to celebrate the centenary of the Great Western Railway, The Bristolian connected London Paddington and Bristol with one of Britain’s most prestigious express services. Its prewar schedule covered approximately 118 miles nonstop in just 105 minutes—a striking demonstration of Great Western speed and engineering.

This original period railway postcard shows the steam-hauled Bristolian at speed behind a Great Western 4-6-0 express locomotive. King-class locomotives initially handled the train, although the individual locomotive pictured here cannot be identified securely from the visible image.

The reverse provides valuable dating evidence. It describes the 105-minute timing as the train’s “Pre-war” schedule and reproduces a statement by King George VI from his Christmas broadcast of December 25, 1940. The card therefore cannot predate that speech and was most likely published between approximately 1941 and 1952.

Published by Photochrom Co. Ltd., London and Tunbridge Wells, the postcard is numbered 6, unused, unposted and unwritten. Its combination of named-train history, documented prewar performance and wartime royal quotation gives it appeal beyond an ordinary railway view.

Postcard Details

* Railway: Great Western Railway

* Named Train: The Bristolian

* Route: London Paddington–Bristol

* Service Introduced: 1935

* Historic Schedule: Approximately 118 miles in 105 minutes nonstop

* Locomotive Type Shown: GWR 4-6-0 express steam locomotive

* Probable Class: King class; individual locomotive unconfirmed

* Publisher: Photochrom Co. Ltd.

* Publisher Location: London and Tunbridge Wells

* Card Number: 6

* Estimated Publication Date: Circa 1940s

* Defensible Date Range: After December 25, 1940; probably 1941–1952

* Card Type: Original period sepia photographic postcard

* Real-Photo Process: Unconfirmed; not represented as an RPPC

* Reverse: Divided

* Postage Condition: Unposted

* Writing: Unwritten

* Country: England

* Orientation: Landscape

* Themes: Great Western Railway, The Bristolian, railway postcards, British steam trains, named trains, London, Bristol and railway history

* Unit of Sale: Single postcard

Condition

Good vintage condition with light corner and edge wear, mild toning and scattered surface marks. Unposted and unwritten; please review all photographs for additional details.

Shipping

Ships in a protective postcard sleeve with sturdy backing in a secure mailer via $1.49 buyer-paid Standard Envelope.