Fake Railwayana Rogues Gallery

Some lovely pictures uploaded to the IRRS members only flickr page today containing various genuine lineside signs.

Del.Monte wrote: »

Oh well, that rules me out.

Sorry JD, wasn't deliberate

Surely this one is real - look at all the rust?




And here's one from a company that actually did have the GSWR pattern signs - but very few - and this isn't one of them. Ignoring the lettering, there's zero evidence of 70+ years of weathering from salty Atlantic winds which batter West Kerry.


Both currently for auction.

Isambard wrote: »

I have a GSWR in my garden, I know it's a fake but it's getting nice and rusty now..... ;-)

Soon be worth a fortune then

Del.Monte wrote: »

This thing sold for €20 at Castleblaney this evening - €20 more than it's worth. The 'original' was affixed to the old water tower at Castlegregory Junction in the 1990s but was liberated in more recent times. You know things have reached rock bottom when even modern plaques are liberated and then copied. :rolleyes:

€20 and it's a nice souvenir any more and it's a rip off. The original sign would be totally unique, so anyone claiming this one to be genuine is admitting handling stolen goods!

L1011 wrote: »

20 after commission and the seller almost certainly didn't make anything on it - postage from whatever cheapo casting foundry they're using, paint, effort to rough it up etc.

ah but they're looking for a mug to pay 50 or 80.... probably the guy who put it in the auction was that mug!

Del.Monte wrote: »

I notice a growing number of this sign appearing in recent months - seem to be originating in the Limerick area. What was the W & W R?

no room for the third W no doubt.

tabbey wrote: »

Limerick area, a polite designation of Rathkeale.
No doubt these dealers will be travelling to markets throughout these islands as restrictions are lifted.

So w&wr could mean Wiltshire & Western Railway just as easily as Waterford & Wexford Railway.
Keep your options open for any opportunity.

Have you a source for that claim?

Some look ok from a distance but are either undersized for convenience to fix to your garden fence, wrong fonts, complete works of fiction or 'funny' signs as the one in the pic. Definitely not of a quality that would fool anyone in the know.

I was at my friends place last week and saw 5 railway signs on a pallet. My friends dad started on the railway in 1966 and retired about 10 years back. They weren't for sale but i had to tell him to move them as a lot of people come and go from their place as my friend has a garage there. I believe most came from the Dungarvan line. They had level crossing gates next to their house Just outside Mallow on the line. I would believe they are all real, they need a bit of attention. either Sand blasted or electrolysis but they were heavily corroded but not irreparable in the slightest.

Don't clean them off if you need to sell at any point. A cruddy really rusted notice is a good indicator that it's not fake.

Hi, i am over in Esses, UK. And i pick up items from house clreances. This week i have come access this sign. And wanted to get your views on this one, as to weather it is real or a reproduction.

Many thanks for your view and replies.