One of the display case labels in our GWT Museum at Didcot Railway Centre reads: "The Great Western Railway always made sure that their passengers were provided with liquid refreshment, either those of an intoxicating variety or of the non-intoxicating type of beverage."

On a beautiful silver Great Western Railway (GWR) tray we have glasses for port, brandy, sherry, hock, whisky, aperitif and a spirit tot.

On the non-intoxicating type there is a wonderful water carafe that was used in the Refreshment Department.

Of course, each one is engraved with one of the various GWR coats of arms or logos.

When I was looking at this display in more detail I was amazed at how many different versions of the GWR logo had been used during the life of the company: re-branding is nothing new.

While some items, such as cups and milk jugs, were marked with a very simple G. W. R. printed either horizontally or vertically, others featured the more flamboyant coat of arms.

Some were marked with the station so we have items from Reading, Wolverhampton and the GWR Refreshment Room, Neath, in our collection, while others reflected the department, such as Hotels or Dining Car.

There is also some beautifully patterned crockery without any obvious GWR branding, although I am sure it will say GWR on the base.

In the art deco period GWR developed a very modern-looking symbol with the letters GWR in a diamond shape and then of course there is the famous GWR roundel used in the 1930s.

But it was not only the passengers that used GWR-branded items: the GWR Goods Department Dining Club had mugs bearing the coat of arms.

Many of the more ornate pottery items on display are from the pre First Word War era and some are late Victorian. Anyone interested in browsing for genuine GWR cutlery, crockery and silverware might be interested in visiting the centre when our antiquary shop is open.

It’s worth checking opening hours to make sure that our volunteers are available when you visit.

The varying GWR styles were generally replaced in the 1920s with the ‘Black Leaf’ pattern that is still used today for the replica chinaware that we have for sale in our Shop.

Talking of branding we have just commissioned some lovely mugs featuring our new steam engine, Lady of Legend. so the commemorative china story continues.