The first photographs I took of steam locomotives were on a visit to Chester of King George V that took place sometime in the early 1970s.

Remarkably, I still possess one of these inferior quality images probably obtained using my dad’s old Ensign. It must have been not long after the steam ban was broken in 1971, because this looks to be on BR track at the back of the station. I would have been 13.

I have reproduced this opposite for historical reasons and to remind us all how much things have changed. Imagine being allowed to walk across at least two tracks, probably open to live traffic, and stand in the ten-foot chatting to the driver!

When I bought my first decent camera in the early 1980s, I quickly settled on the use of Kodachrome 25. Working with shutter speeds typically 1/30th of a second or less, rather precluded moving subjects, although I managed a handful over the years one of which is reproduced here, taken on a very hazy day from the open window of some Italian bug-box on the branch line up from Belluno to Calalzo di Cadore in northern Veneto. It puts the Settle to Carlise into perspective.

I never really accustomed myself to the loss of K25. I toyed with the idea of large format, but I lack the dedication it requires. And even fifteen years ago, it was clear that 5x4 would be digitalised out of existence. Finally, my trusty, much loved old Contax packed up.

Having accepted the inevitability of a digital replacement, I decided that the priority for me was something versitile and light with a good sensor and optics. So the inescapable choice was between a Leica Q2 and the Fuji 100V, which had just been released. I certainly don’t regret choosing the Fuji, but like most people, if I could afford to spend £5,000 on a camera, I would probably buy the Leica out of sheer inquisitiveness. But would I take better photographs?

I now live close to the ‘mountain’ section of the Settle to Carlisle line, which means I am fortunate to be able to get out on pretty much any day when there is steam running. Initially, I found a paucity of information concerning suitable locations. One of the purposes of this website is to address that shortage and to suggest some less-visited places of interest, particularly for the walker. This is intended to be a site of general interest, not just one for the railway enthusiast, although it has a strong transport theme (no buses though!).

Finally, I have delved into my archive of transparancies from the last 40 years and intend to reproduce a selection illustrating similar off the beaten track locations in the US, Italy and elsewhere.

David Roberts

August 2022