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.