The First London and Birmingham Railway Advert - 1837

The London and Birmingham Railway was opened in its entirety on 17 September 1838. However, like most intercity railways of the age, prior to this date different sections of its line were completed as they were opened. Thus, this advert from John Bull on 5 November 1837 shows the services the company was providing between London and Tring, the line to which opened in late October that year. As with most railway adverts of the age, the reader was not treated to beautiful images or bright colours. Rather, they had to make do with simple text.