Penrhyn Barclay's at Apedale

We are  delighted to invite you to a narrow-gauge photo charter at Apedale Valley Light Railway on Friday 18th September, the day before their Autumn Railway Gala.

Located near Newcastle-under-Lyme in Staffordshire and operated by the Moseley Railway Trust, Apedale may be short in mileage, but it offers a huge amount of photographic character. From its industrial surroundings to the field railway, there are plenty of opportunities to create something different from the usual narrow-gauge charter.

Following the brilliant charter at Threlkeld back in July, we’re thrilled to welcome Cegin from the Statfold Narrow Gauge Trust once again. This time, Cegin will be joined by Stanhope and Ogwen, giving us the opportunity to photograph all three locomotives together — all carrying the same livery and creating some fantastic photographic possibilities!

The day will also feature a selection of slate wagons, including Joey's Penrhyn slate wagon, which is now in the final stages of restoration. Its inclusion will add an authentic touch to the formations and provide another interesting subject for photographers throughout the day.

We’re aiming to start photography at around 10:00am, making the most of the available light on the main line with the visiting locomotive, while the other engines are gradually introduced into the proceedings as the day progresses. We’ll break for lunch before continuing with further photographic opportunities throughout the afternoon.

The afternoon will feature line-ups involving all three locomotives at various locations around the site, including the particularly photogenic “Red Shed”, which has featured in previous photo charters.

Operations are planned to continue until approximately 6:00pm, weather permitting, allowing us to make the most of the late-afternoon and evening sunlight and capture the locomotives working around the field railway.

It promises to be a fantastic opportunity to photograph Cegin, Stanhope and Ogwen together, recreating the atmosphere of a working narrow-gauge railway while offering a very different setting from our Threlkeld charter.

We hope you can join us for what promises to be a memorable day of narrow-gauge photography, with three beautifully presented locomotives, authentic slate wagons and plenty of varied photographic opportunities.

Joey Evans