Leicester North, Rothley, Quorn & Woodhouse and Loughborough

Now I am no train spotter (no really), but you could be forgiven for thinking otherwise given the number of photographs in this post. I love to make atmospheric images and steam trains seem to provide endless opportunities.

This heritage line is run mainly by volunteers and they do a superb job. Everything is maintained in a way that gives an authentic feel. Some of the trains have a licensed buffet car and I do find a glass of red frees up one’s shutter finger.

Apart from running trains there are various special events each year. Many visitors dress for these occasions, and they too offer lots of potential.

This first set of images were processed in Lightroom, exported to Silver Efex Pro for the finishing effect, imported back into Lightroom and finally exported as .jpgs for posting.

 

There are four stations on the line, Leicester North, Rothley, Quorn & Woodhouse and Loughborough. These images are of Rothley.

 

Each year there is a World War II themed weekend. There are all sorts of events including mock skirmishes between Nazis and French Resistance. The stations are ‘occupied’ and your papers better be in order. As well as the organised activities it is worth looking out for the various little tableaux played out by visitors.

I expect by now you are wondering where the trains are? OK, here is a selection of black and white images from various visits…

A change of mood…

A couple processed to look ‘a bit old’. I love this effect.

This one was published on the BBC web-site, here.

And a final selection chosen because I like them. Shooting into the light often creates ‘atmosphere’.

Smoke, steam, back-light and a mysterious figure.

A bit of a con really, he was just a train spotter on his mobile getting an ear bashing.