The climb to Andrews House 20241226--372

Sir Cecil A Cochrane (Robert Stephenson & Hawthorns Ltd. 7409, built in 1948 for the Redheugh Gas Works) climbs the bank from Bobgins level crossing to Andrews House station, working the late-running 13.25 East Tanfield - Sunniside "Mince Pie Special" at the Tanfield Railway. [Pole, 4/6 sections (~5.4m)]

Since getting a pole, I'd tried this angle several times but had always lost the sun before the train appeared. Today had started with a cloudless sky, but early in the afternoon a thin strip of cloud slowly moved across and the lovely light disappeared for an hour or so. There was still some cloud around, and as I heard this train approaching - and with the pole already extended and (unusually) the camera exposure set manually - the light dipped noticeably... but as the train began to run into the frame it lightened up quite a bit.

The sun had not yet moved very far round from being inline with the track, and I thought the next train would be better - but I took the shot anyway, as this was running over half an hour late and there was some more cloud approaching. The result was very contrasty, but I've managed to make the lighting less harsh during processing (which also included increasing the colour temperature very slightly). I thought about having another attempt with the next train (hauled by Stanley), but also wanted to end the day by having a ride on the last round trip (from Andrews House to Sunniside, south to East Tanfield, and then back to Andrews House). Although northbound trains are booked to wait at Andrews House for about 35 minutes, with the late running I thought there was a risk I'd not make it in time. And anyway, not long after I took this a big, slow-moving cloud rolled in and I wasn't convinced I'd get the shot in sun.

So I went to Andrews House (actually getting there just in time to watch this working depart for Sunniside), bought my ticket (and got my free hot drink and shortbread biscuits - I can't stand mince pies!) and waited for the train to arrive. While I was drinking my coffee, the sun dropped out of the bottom of the slow-moving cloud: the shot would have been in sun. A short time later I heard the train, and when it arrived it still waited at the platform for over half an hour (after watering the loco, the crew went off for a cuppa) and was 23 minutes late setting off: there was no doubt I would have made it in time.

But with the shadows not being as long on the earlier train, I wonder if this ended up being a better shot than one of the train I thought was at the ideal time. I shall no doubt attempt this angle again in the future, and try to angle the camera a little more upward so that I don't lose the top of the exhaust (I ended up using an earlier frame, cropped on the left and across the bottom).

Visit Brian Carter's Non-Transport Pics to see my photos of landscapes, buildings, bridges, sunsets, rainbows and more.

Taken on: December 26, 2024

Sets appears in: • Tanfield Railway

Groups appears in: • Tanfield Railway • passenger trains more » • Narrow Gauge and Steam/Heritage Railways/Railroads. No 30/60! • North Eastern Railways • British Loco Hauled Passenger Trains • UK Train - Best Shots • Rail Enthusiasts Worldwide Opted out 30/60 • Classic and Modern Cars, Trucks, Buses, Trams and Trains worldw • Railways of the North East • All about rails, worldwide. « less

Camera: RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD. PENTAX K-3 II, f/7.1, 1/1000 sec, 31mm (=46mm), ISO 400 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD. PENTAX K-3 II
Aperture:	f/7.1
Exposure Time:	0.001 sec (1/1000)
Focal Length:	31mm (35mm equivalent: 46mm)
ISO:	400
Exposure Bias:	-1.3 EV
Flash:	Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program:	Manual
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Contrast:	High
Sharpness:	Hard
Color Space:	sRGB
Software:	Adobe Photoshop Elements 24.0 (Windows)
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