Trains On Stamps

Zimbabwe 1990

Here is Zimbabwe's 1985 "Steam Safaris" set. They are: 9c Engine No. 96 9th Class, 11c Engine No. 190 12th Class, 17c Engine No. 424 15A Class, and 30c Engine No. 726 20A Class.

This 2008 domestic rate stamp of private courier New Zealand Mail (NZM) features a steam engine-themed stained glass window from the old train station in Dunedin. This train station is said to be the most photographed place in New Zealand. It was completed in 1906.

Note that on the stamp that both rampant lions are facing in the same direction, but they are back to back on the photo of the actual window.

In February of 2001, Spain issued this computer-vended stamp to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the first Madrid railway. Pictured is locomotive 120 which made the first trips. It is Michel #50.

In December of 2001, Spain switched to euro currency. When the stamp machines were reconfigured for euro use, these labels were used again. They are Michel #63.

From the ateeme.net website, "The works began in 1846 and the official inauguration was February 8, 1851 in the Embarcadero (railway station) of Alocha. In the inaugural trip a special coach was reserved to Queen Isabel. On the next day the service was opened to the public."

Here are images of the three airmail stamps in a set depicting various locomotives, designed and engraved by French artist Michel Monvoisin (1932-1982), and issued by Mali on October 8, 1973, Scott Nos. 195-97.

- nethryk

Buddicom Engine, and Stephenson's Rocket.


Union Pacific, 1890, and Santa Fe, 1940.


Mistral, and Tokaido, 1970.

This November 2005 computer-vended stamp from Spain depicts a "State Series 1000" electric locomotive, as used on the Trans-Pyrenees rail line.

In April of 2001, Spain issued two computer-vended stamps celebrating the 150th anniversary of railroads in their country. This one, Michel #54, depicts Locomotive 030-2577 of M.Z.A. (Railroad Company from Madrid to Zaragoza and Alicante). This model was built from 1884 by the firm Richard Hartmann of Chemnitz, Saxony in Germany, which supplied M.Z.A. with 32 such locomotives.

The label was vended from machine #4211 in Molina de Segura, Murcia in the southeast of the country.

The second stamp was sold after the conversion to euro currency in December of 2001. It is Michel #67. It was sold from machine #1293, but the town/location is not given in this case.

Republic of Cyprus
4th June 2010
Cyprus Railways

This April 2001 computer-vended stamp of Spain depicts locomotive 030-2103 North 1405 of the North Spanish Railway Company. This enterprise was majority French owned.

From the ateeme.net website "French majority capital, its objective was to build the railway connection between Madrid and Irun (near the French border) objective that was reached in 1864".

Powerful locomotives were needed to cross the Iberian Chain mountains as well as the Basque mountains of the Pyrenees, and these were supplied by Schneider and Co. of France (ateeme.net).

Stamp was vended from machine #4200 in Villajoyosa, Alicante and cancelled in the same city. Villajoyosa is on the Costa Blanca of southeastern Spain.

Here is the show cancel of the Worthington (Ohio) Stamp Club, from November 29, 1987.

This one is interesting. Has the overprint on both sides.

This set of 4 stamps was issued by the D.D.R. on September 24, 1985 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of German railways. Stamps are Michel #s 2968-71.

20pf. track diagram over GS II signal box
25pf. 1838 Saxonia engine, its designer Johann Schubert, and model 250 electric locomotive
50pf. helicopter lifting electric cable
85pf. "bird's eye view" of Leipzig Central Station

Train under construction.

In March of 2001, Spain issue this computer-vended stamp (Michel ATM #51) picturing Locomotive 141 2040 of the North Spain Railway Co. This is an American made model from 1918.

From ateeme.net, "During the First World War the North Spain Railway Company contacted the U.S. ALCO (American Locomotive Company) because of the great difficulties in obtaining materials from their usual French suppliers...The ALCO's were locomotives of 2 cylinders...with 1800 CV of power."

In December of 2001, when the stamp vending machines were re-calibrated for euro use, the labels were re-used. They are Michel ATM #64.

The two high values (47000Lei and 56000Lei) of Romania's November 3, 2004 "Modern Trains" set frank this registered airmail cover to the U.S.A.