STEAM Museum at Swindon is staging a photographic exhibition entitled ‘Locomotives Through the Lens’ which is centred around the images selected for its exclusive new 2024 calendar and examines stories behind the photographs.

Among the photographs in the exhibition are ones taken by talented railway photographer, Richard Bell, some of which have been chosen to appear in the 2024 Museum calendar entitled ‘Western Steam’.

The calendar features preserved GWR and Western region locomotives operating between 2008 and 2023 on both the main line and on heritage railways.

With the majestic British countryside as a backdrop, there are photographs from the length and breadth of the Great Western Railway network, from north Wales to south Devon, and from Berkshire to west Wales.

For the first time, the calendar’s images are being portrayed at a large scale, which gives visitors the sense actually being part of each scene scenes. Next to each image an explanatory text describes how the photograph was achieved, and shows that as well as experience and know-how, it is often a combination of the right weather conditions, persistence, and good luck that are required to achieve a perfect photograph.

The’ Locomotives Through the Lens’ exhibition at STEAM runs until mid-2024, with no extra charge over and above the Museum’s standard admission price. Further details can be found here.

The Museum’s Western Steam 2024 calendar is on sale at the museum shop.

Frances Yeo, Swindon Museums Manager said “It’s great to see our new Locomotives Through the Lens exhibition opening in the Museum’s Caerphilly Castle Hall. This finale to our 2023 exhibitions programme at STEAM, explores the motivations and commitment needed to achieve the perfect photograph. Richard’s experience, dedication and enthusiasm for the subject matter comes through in every image as well as in his accompanying commentaries.”