01/12/2004 Entry: "National Railway Museum in York"

National Railway Museum Celebrates 200 Years of Rail Travel
In a commemoration of two centuries of railway art, the National Railway Museum (NRM) is opening a new exhibition called Along Artistic Lines, timed to coincide with the bicentennary of rail travel.

This spectacular display runs from Saturday 17 January to Sunday 4 April 2004, and marks the start of the NRMs 2004 rail bicentenary celebrations.

The exhibition will showcase some of the worlds finest contemporary railway art, most of which will be available for purchase by the public.

Gallery tours will be taking place by resident expert Beverley Cole, Curator of Pictorial Collections, at 1.30pm and 2.30pm on 24 Jan, 2 & 7 Feb, 6 & 20 Mar and 3 Apr.

In addition, during the eleven weeks there will be artists in residence at the NRM, using their creative skills to portray everything from the aerodynamic curves of the record-breaking Mallard to the colourful splendour of Rocket.

Along Artistic Lines will be opened by artist David Shepherd OBE FRSA who, although he is famous world-wide for his depictions of wildlife, has a life-long love of the railways which is also discernable in his artwork. His original painting ‘Service by Night’, which is part of the National Collection and was commissioned by British Railways for the poster ‘Service by Night’ in 1955, will be on display.

Andrew Scott, Head of the NRM, added: “In 1804 Richard Trevithick’s locomotive Penydarren successfully made it’s first faltering journey, and since then the train has continued to inspire countless artists. It is a great pleasure to be able to commemorate two hundred years of railways through the eyes of the artist.”

OPENING
The National Railway Museum is open daily from 10.00am to 6.00pm and admission is FREE.

DETAILS
http://www.nrm.org.uk/