The glory of steam locomotion is captured in this most famous of all Great Western Railway posters, created by Charles Mayo of the GWR publicity department just before World War II. The billowing cloud and extended view of the much loved King-class locomotive speeding to its holiday destinations had huge appeal. Indeed, the railroad issued a popular book entitled "A Railway Book for Boys of all Ages" that described a journey from London to Plymouth on a King-powered train similar to the one in the poster. An essay competition in conjunction with the book, was highly popular, with a quarter of the essays penned by girls! (ref: Cole/Durack Railway Posters 1923 - 1947)