Transportation Library News

Early Japanese Name Plate Designs

In 1912, the Japanese Government Railways (JGR) began express services between Tokyo and southern Japan. As new trains were added and popularity grew, the need for a coherent identity and image arose. JGR held a contest for the best names and designs in 1929 and thus the Japanese Express Trains insignias were born. True forms of art, which reflect the changing culture and technology of their creators, these designs can be found in the September 2009 (No.53) issue of Japan Railway & Transport Review: http://nucat.library.northwestern.edu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=2686978