For anyone passionate about railway photography, there are days that feel like stepping into a moment from the past, the glory days of British Rail. This was one of those rare, unforgettable days where the beat of British Rail diesels, the drama of fast-paced chasing, and the thrill of creative framing all collided in one photographic pursuit.
The empty stock approaching Castleford with 47593 leading
At the heart of it all? 45118 The Royal Artilleryman, a Class 45 “Peak” in British Rail blue livery, working the Master Cutler rail tour from Leeds to St Pancras. For rail enthusiasts and railway photographers alike, this was nostalgia with creative railway photography at its finest, chasing a moment and capturing history.
Straight into the morning sun ,a tighter crop with no sky of the going away
The Chase Begins: Framing Sulzer-Powered Glory
The day began with the blue-liveried Class 45 paired with an Inter-City Class 47, both on express passenger duties. It was the kind of scene that transports you straight back to the early 1980s—when British Rail blue was king and Sulzer power ruled the rails. The mission, capture 45118 The Royal Artilleryman in full cry, leading the iconic Master Cutler tour across numerous locations.
A first glimpse of 45118 on the rear, I was looking for something to frame the shot.
After an early move from Crewe to Leeds via Castleford, the Peak took the lead after reversal at Gascoigne Wood. My first goal to catch the Empty Coaching Stock ECS move at Castleford. From there, it was a mad dash to Marsh Lane, Leeds to photograph the Peak leading through the classic Marsh Lane cutting. From then on it was tight, I was hoping to beat the train across the city of Leeds. The two-minute arrival delay only tightened the window, making every second count.
Marsh Lane cutting, Mono and the square crop suited this image, almost a 1970/80’s image.
Marsh Lane Cutting Leeds, capturing the full length of the train, framed by the arch.
But the reward was immense: catching 45118, with seconds to spare charging over Dewsbury Road bridge, its growl unmistakably, reverberating across the city. For lovers of railway photography and classic diesels, it was sheer magic.
Time wasnt on my side capturing this image, I have had to remove a lamp post by stitching two frames together.
When Rain Meets Rail: Atmospheric Creativity
By late afternoon, the weather turned—thick rain clouds moving in from the west. But any experienced railway photographer knows, poor weather can elevate a good shot into something extraordinary. Wet platforms, shimmering reflections, and dramatic contrasts are perfect for creative railway photography trains work.
The weather helped lift this eveing shot, it should have been still light, but the dark sky and reflections makes this for me, thwo images merged, one of the train at 1/400 sec & ISO8000, with another at the same exposure 1/10 sec & ISO320.
My challenge? Capture the Class 45 Peak on its return leg of the Master Cutler roaring through Outwood in pitch darkness and driving rain. I chose a bold composition—low angle, soaked platform, silhouetted trees, and a well-framed pylon. Settings were critical: 1/400 shutter speed, ISO 8000—pushing the limits in low light.
I blended exposures and cleaned up rain drops on the lens in post-production using Lightroom and Photoshop to create something beyond documenting a railway record shot.
The Final Leg: Intercity Returns and a Closing Shot in the Dark
The last piece of the puzzle was the return journey, this time with an Intercity-liveried Class 47 leading back to Crewe. By now, it was full darkness and heavy rain. I set up at Woodlesford under station lighting—composition tight, options few, and time short.
The platform lighting offered just enough light, and despite other trains threatening to block the view, luck held. Using a multi-frame blend once again, I captured another frame of British Rail legacy brought to life.
The final shot, I really thought I wouldnt get this, 1) technically and 2) blocked by another train, another of two merged images. This is pushing the limits of photographing speeding trains in the dark.
More Than Just Trains
Railway photography isn’t just about locomotives. It’s about patience, precision, and passion. That day was about more than images—it was about chasing the roaring heartbeat from British Rail’s blue diesel era.
If you’ve read to here, that’s great now you can watch the days adventure on my YouTube channel.