In his fourth railway title for Halsgrove, published in 2006, Mike Heath took us on a photographic journey along the East Lancashire Railway, highlighting the varied landscape through which it passes and seeking to show those unfamiliar with the line the reasons for its success.

Within the pages of that album were a number of photographs taken of steam locomotives ‘after dark’ and those pictures attracted much critical acclaim in the excellent reviews of that book.

Living locally Mike has been able to make regular visits to the line since its reopening back in 1987 to capture on film the winter evening service trains in illuminated stations or on shed at the end of the day, and partake in the many enthusiast-targeted night photo shoots organised by the volunteers of the preservation society.

This has resulted in a stunning portfolio of atmospheric night time scenes from which this collection of more than 140 images has been drawn, featuring many of Britain’s most famous preserved steam locomotives suspended in a railway time warp as today’s 21st century backgrounds are cloaked in darkness.This is a uniqely atmospheric portrait of steam preservation at its finest.

For well over 25 years Mike Heath has enjoyed combining his hobbies of photography and visiting preserved railways all over Britain. In that time he has amassed a vast collection of stupendous photographs covering all aspects of the railways across all four seasons, day and night.

Imprint: Halsgrove. ISBN 978 1 84114 902 8, hardbck, 214x230mm, 144 pages. Published May 2009.