Totem Signs
BackMaximum price: £12,100
Average price: £1,250
Minimum price: £40
In recent times, the humble, enamel totem has reached into the hearts of collectors. Utilised as the corporate image when British Railways came into being in 1948, it was decided that regional colours would be adopted and around the end of 1949 early 1950, they began to appear on the majority of UK stations, large and small. The vast majority measure 36in x 10in, some with flanges, some without. Some stations were only perhaps fitted with two whereas large stations such as Clapham Junction would have been riddled with them. Extremely collectable today, reminding enthusiasts of holidays, spotting trips or just simply commuting or visits to stations. Many fall into themes such as those with the word Junction or a particular line with successive station names. Many collectors start with an example from each region. A definitive book British Railways Station Totems by Richard Furness & Dave Brennand is an informed treasure for the collector.
Totem BR(W) FF BLACKWELL from the former Midland Railway station at the top of the famous Lickey Bank between Bromsgrove and Barnt Green and the last station on the Western Region before it changed to the Midland Region at Barnt Green. In ex station condition with plenty of grime from the Bankers. Not common.
Auction: March 2022 Sold for: £1,200Totem BR(SC) HF GALASHIELS from the former North British Railway station between Edinburgh and St Boswells. In excellent condition.
Auction: November 2021 Sold for: £1,000Totem BR(S) FF PINHOE from the former London & South Western Railway station between Yeovil Junction and Exeter. In excellent condition with one small face chip.
Auction: November 2021 Sold for: £1,400Totem BR(W) HF MAIDENHEAD from the former Great Western Railway station between Twyford and Slough. In excellent condition.
Auction: July 2021 Sold for: £1,100Totem BR(W) FF GOBOWEN from the former Great Western Railway station between Shrewsbury and Ruabon. In ex station condition with one small face chip.
Auction: July 2021 Sold for: £750Reproduction BR(S) Totem Sign DARTFORD. A quality enamel manufactured by Trackside
Auction: April 2021 Sold for: £40Totem BR(S) HF MOTTINGHAM from the former South Eastern and Chatham Railway station between Hither Green and Dartford. In very good condition with a few well executed repairs. Half flanged totems from this station are very rare as they were only on the platform extensions for the 10 Car Scheme in the 1950's. The remainder of the platforms had SR targets and later fully flanged totems.
Auction: March 2021 Sold for: £500Totem BR(W) FF ABERCYNON from the former Taff Vale Railway station between Merthyr and Pontypridd. In good condition with a few small chips.
Auction: November 2019 Sold for: £450Totem BR(W) HF WORCESTER FOREGATE STREET from the former Great Western station in the centre of the City between Shrub Hill and Henwick. In very good condition with a few well executed repairs.
Auction: November 2019 Not sold, reserve: £1,400Totem BR(W) FF LAPWORTH from the former Great Western Railway station between Birmingham and Leamington Spa. In very good condition.
Auction: July 2019 Sold for: £200Totem BR(S) FF WADEBRIDGE from the former London & South Western Railway station between Okehampton and Padstow. A very rare North Cornwall totem that has never appeared at a railwayana auction before. In very good condition with a small chip repair to the right hand end.
Auction: November 2018 Sold for: £4,500Totem BR(M) FF SHENSTONE from the former LNWR station between Birmingham and Lichfield. In very good condition.
Auction: March 2018 Sold for: £950