Drones have created unique footage of the Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway in action. This is the first time that the Railway has been filmed from the air.

The broadcast-quality film is two minutes long and was shot earlier this year, when snow was on the ground in the Yorkshire Dales. It provides a 360-degree view of the railway, including signal boxes, miles of track and sidings, and extensive engine sheds.

Networx3 UAV’s drones were at the Railway carrying out detailed inspections of the engine sheds’ roofs, in preparation for green energy company Squirrel Energy installing solar panels to help reduce skyrocketing electricity bills. While on site, the drone pilot took the opportunity to make a short promotional video for the Railway.

The drones that filmed the footage were provided by Networx3 UAV, whose newest drone pilot, Olivia Cambridge, created a short film showcasing the railway from the air.

The high-definition footage that the Matrice M30T and DJI Avata drones recorded includes a steam train at full speed and parked locomotives seen from one hundred feet in the air. The drones then swoop to the roofs of three carriages being hauled by 78-year-old Hunslet no.2705 Beatrice.

The drones move along the tops of the carriages and then film along the length of the train and fly backwards through the engine sheds. Next, the drones move down the empty train track at the level of a locomotive driver, giving a driver’s eye view as the loco pulls out of 135-year-old Embsay station

The 134-year-old Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway runs on a former route of the Midland Railway, and is run by a team of volunteers and a small number of paid staff. It runs along 4.5 miles of track and hosts historic rolling stock including the 1887 Queen Victoria Saloon owned by Stately Trains. It welcomes tens of thousands of visitors each year.

Drone pilot Olivia Cambridge said: “Networx3 UAV might be known for roof surveys, wind turbine inspections and safety work in gas pipelines but our drones can also film beautiful and atmospheric footage like this.

“Our video shows off the sights and sounds of this picturesque heritage railway and follows ex-colliery workhorse locomotive Beatrice through plumes of steam as she makes her way into the historic Embsay Station with its restored Victorian features.

“We’re delighted that we’ve been able to capture the powerful magic of this majestic steam engine in all her glory.”