Blists Hill Victorian Town

October Half-Term saw us paying a visit to Ironbridge for the week; mainly for visiting the excellent museums.

Having had car trouble which effectively ruined the Saturday, we hit Blists Hill Victorian Town for the Sunday.

Apart from being a really nice day out wandering around the place, I (Ben) was looking for some ideas for a future model article or two.

The bright Autumn lighting made things quite interesting, photography-wise, and we went for a mix of close-up shots on interesting details, and some wider angles to take in the buildings.

We also thought we'd try a few monochromes, particularly as we started to lose the sunshine in the afternoon.

We'd not been here since we were pre-teens, so it was nice to make a return visit.  We came back again on the last day of the holiday, making the most of a pass which allowed us into all of the museums in the gorge.

 

Oxenhope Station by Night

More from the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway during the 2024 Beer and Music Festival, and Pacer 144011. 

This being the Thursday, there was a low-key start to the event here at Oxenhope, and a really nice atmosphere at the station whilst we were there. 

The main event was happening in the yard and display shed, so we took the opportunity to go get some pictures on the platform.

Again, as at Oakworth, the Hunters Moon caused some interesting lighting (as well as the colourful set-up around the station ready for the winter season).

This is the third time in a row we've been out for night shots whilst the Festival is running, but probably the best experience. Good weather, interesting trains, and a happy atmosphere at the stations we visited over the weekend.

 

KWVR trains by night

Whilst Amy focussed on photographing the stations during the KWVR's Beer and Music Festival, I (Ben) wanted to get some shots of the trains over the weekend.

Class 37 at Oakworth.

Pacer 144011 at Oakworth on the Thursday night.

With the new camera to hand, I managed to get some better versions of the 'ghost train' shots I'd tried on previous visits.

Moody monochrome shot.

Class 14 at Ingrow, end of the platform shot.

The Friday night was busier- we preferred the Thursday for the fact the stations are gas-lit, but you can get some interesting effects with the floodlights on the stations.

Oakworth Station by Night

The Keighley and Worth Valley Railway Beer and Music Festival provides not only entertainment, with drinks and music, but also a chance for night-shots of the trains and stations.

Thursday night saw us at Oakworth; Amy to get some shots of the station itself lit by gaslight, me (Ben) mainly the trains, in this case Pacer 144011 which was operating the high-intensity shuttle service.

There was a Hunters Moon and a very clear sky.

Pacer arrives- we were both playing a bit with long-exposure pictures.

Worth mentioning we came back on Friday and Saturday too- the station was closed after dark on the weekend, because of the longer trains and short platform, but the station staff helpfully let us on to wander around and take pics (helps to be members and vols with the line). The moon was better on the Saturday night.

We also spent some time at Oxenhope and Ingrow Stations, more on those visits in the next couple of posts...