Tornado Chasing...

Been a little while since the last blog post, because we've been doing some actual artwork (shock, horror) which we'll post about in a bit.  In the mean time, some more railway photography.

As part of the effort to boost use of the Settle-Carlisle Railway (which has been severed by a landslide for over a year) new-build A1 Pacific "Tornado" was sent to operate some timetabled passenger services from the 14th-16th Feb.

Knowing the train would be arriving the night before, I (Ben) went out to get some abstract pics in the Aire Valley, specifically at Hirst Wood (where I did a long-exposure shoot last year of trains in the dark).  First stop was the riverbank to see if I could get a reflection shot in the river, but the tests didn't prove too good, as you couldn't see the reflections.

Walking up to the end of the bridge bought me to this spot...

...where the fence allows a nice rail-level shot from the public side of the boundary.

Resting the tripod against the fence showed a nice dramatic angle, but I really, really hate that equipment cabinet.

A passing class 333 multiple unit heading towards Bradford...

...and then believe it or not, this is "Tornado" in light steam, being towed by a diesel.

On Wednesday we went up to the Dales, but there were big crowds at Helweth Bridge where we thought we might visit, but a little further back down the line towards Settle brought us to a nice bridge which was deserted.  The only problems were the high parapet meaning I've have to be on my tiptoes...

...and the foliage which stuck out into the picture, and also the lens-flare caused by shooting into the sun.  I tried shading it with my hand as I don't have a flare hood for the Nikon.

Not a brilliant shot due to the aforementioned problems.

So the next day it was off to Skipton for the last day of the service, and a better spot at a level crossing just north of the town.

Just to prove the shot was taken from the public side of the crossing; there were a few photographers trespassing unfortunately.

A last bit of transport on the way back to the car, an overflight by a military training helicopter.

Shame about how the shot taken up at Settle turned out, but the Skipton pic was better.  Also nice to see timetabled steam on a local main line too.

Next time, possibly some pics from one of the art commissions we've been doing.