The foreboding mountains surround Loch Morar loom in the distance as The Jacobite steam train covers the last few miles on its journey to the coastal town of Mallaig on the western highlands line.

The Jacobite puts on a show as it cross the trestle over the inlet stream of a coastal loch on its run to Mallaig. Far beyond the bridge is the North Atlantic Ocean.

Led by "Black Five" 44871, the Jacobite steam train stretches its legs on the level grade along Loch Eilt on its first run to Mallaig of 2013. Despite it being mid-May, a dusting of fresh snow fro... (more)

A panned shot of Black Five no. 44871 at Burrs on the East Lancashire Railway with a midweek service from Bury to Rawtenstall.The loco was temporarily carrying the nameplates of its stablemate, "T... (more)

Former London Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) Class 5 or "Blake Five" # 44871 (privately owned, operational for the East Lancashire Railway), is pulling the "Mancunian" from Fort William to Mal... (more)

A rather creepy view of Black Five no. 44871 leaving Rawtenstall with a Valentine's Night dining train. Taken using two Metz flashes from the right.

44871 and 45407 head south over Ribblehead viaduct at sunset with a southbound Cumbrian Mountain Express.

This year's annual West Highland Charter was characterised by 'challenging' weather conditions, drizzle or driving rain for the most part! In one of the few brighter interludes, Black 5 No.44871 p... (more)

Chocolate cake and ice cream (I think) provided by the restaurant car staff refresh two of 44871's support crew, having recently arrived in Inverness after an all-day run from Wick in the far nort... (more)

Another of the haunts of my youth was Hopton, just east of Mirfield in the Calder Valley. A lovely reminder of those days was to see a 'Black 5' crossing the River Calder this morning, albeit in l... (more)

The LMS 'Black 5' 4-6-0s are widely (and rightly) acknowledged to be a classic British mixed traffic design. They are regarded by photographers as a mixed blessing probably because no less than ei... (more)

The other side view, a line of photographers wait to capture that magic moment 'alone' on a remote Scottish moor wiith a steam in the landscape shot

Approaching 5:00pm on a chilly January evening and Black Five no. 44871 calls at Ramsbottom with the last train of the day for Bury.

The weather forecast was set for day of grey misty gloom but high up in Cumbrian Mountains on the climb to Shap Summit the sun broke through briefly just as the Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express pa... (more)

Brooksbottom Viaduct spanning the River Irwell must have featured in thousands of photographs over the years. I confess to having my fair share and why not? It's a classic location and with the ri... (more)