The photos above were taken locally around Banbury, L-R: Pathfinders 'The Festive Midland-Ian' railtour at Fenny Compton with 60024 (16 December 2023); visiting loco 'Nelly' on the private Barn Well Hill Railway at Swalcliffe (26 August 2023); 5043 'Earl of Mount Edgcumbe' double-heading 7029 'Clun Castle' on the returning Vintage Trains Castle Class centenary private charter (4 March 2023).

Railway Photography

I have been interested in railways for as long as I can remember, having spent my early years living overlooking the West Coast Main Line at Bushey & Oxhey station and with a father also interested in railways. Studying Geography and History at University broadened my knowledge, as has extensive travel at home and overseas. My interests currently embrace both the heritage and the modern railway scene in Britain and abroad - particularly the off-beat and unusual. Still photography has long been a part of my railway activities - from black-and-white prints through colour transparencies to digital. My photos, old and new, appear regularly in print and online, including Railway Herald. Having lived in Minehead from 2013 to 2022, the West Somerset Railway is my most frequently photographed subject in recent years, many of which have been used to publicise the railway. Recently I was pleased to contribute fourteen photos to Ian Coleby's Middleton Press book about the railway.

I am currently an active member of the following railway societies:

British Overseas Railways Historical Trust: Society dedicated to the study of the British influence on the development of railways worldwide. Publishes the British Overseas Railways Journal and has a library and archive at Greenwich.
Broad Gauge Society: For those interested in the history and modelling of Brunel's broad gauge railways. Publishes a glossy journal Broadsheet in Spring and Autumn each year.
Marlow & District Railway Society: At one time this was my local railway society and I have maintained membership since moving away from Buckinghamshire. In addition to organising monthly meetings with a variety of excellent speakers, which are also available via Zoom, it publishes a high-quality quarterly magazine, The Marlow Donkey.
Railway & Canal Historical Society: A society for those interested in Transport History which caters primarily for the amateur historian, with many members publishing the results of their researches in the Journal, published three times a year. I have been a member since 1975 and in 2004 set up the society's annual Book Awards scheme. .
South Devon Railway Association: Supports the South Devon Railway which runs the Buckfastleigh - Totnes line in the traditions of a Great Western Railway branch line. This is a line with real atmosphere in a delightful riverside location.
West Somerset Railway Association: Supports the West Somerset Railway, which is one of the major British heritage lines and was formerly my 'local line'.

Below are some scenes from my last months living close to the West Somerset Railway, L-R: D2133 in Dunster yard, where it was based during track relaying at Marsh Common (14 January 2022); 7828 'Odney Manor' at Williton with an end-of-season emply stock working (4 January 2022); WSR 2-6-0 9351 approaching Dunster with a train for Minehead (27 August 2021).