Photograph, Cocktail bar on The Glass Train, Somerset Murray, 1937

Publicity photograph of the Age of Glass Exhibition train - showing the cocktail bar with two high stools with spotted covers. An image on glass at right with a woman, a balustrade and an awning that is signed 'COCKTAIL BAR'.

The Glass Train was created for Pilkingtons the glass manufacturers from two converted LNER railway-coaches by Kenneth Cheesman. It aimed to show 'what could be done with contemporary methods, and to stimulate imagination regarding the design properties of different glass products.' The train called at 40 different towns and attracted 400,000 visitors. One is reminded of the Russian Agitprop propoganda trains of a slightly earlier date.

Taking cocktails was a highly fashionable activity in the 1930s. The general design of the bar is very French. At the bar there is a visual pun with bottles drawn on the wall and real bottles at the bar. The polka dot patterned stools and seats appear to be made from a plastic material. Perhaps the most radically 'Moderne' element is the non-direct lighting achieved by units behind the ground glass panels.

PH.449-1980