Local photographer celebrates success in rail photo competition

A local photographer is among the winners of a regional rail-themed photography competition, with one of his photographs now on public display at Trowbridge station.

Martin Pearce’s picture of a steam train in front of the Westbury White Horse was one of 21 winners in the “Down the Line” photography competition organised by TransWilts.   

The competition invited amateur photographers of all ages and abilities to capture images reflecting the theme “Railways – Connecting Communities Past and Present,” celebrating 200 years of the railway.

Around 200 entries were received from across Wiltshire, the UK and abroad. The winning photographs have now been installed at railway stations along the line between Swindon and Warminster, including Trowbridge, where Martin’s image can be viewed by the public.

“I was over the moon to see that one of my photos was chosen for display,” said Martin, who is well known locally as the club photographer for Westbury United Football Club and Dilton Marsh Wanderers. “I had gone out to get a photo of 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley as it approached Westbury on a Cathedrals Express Railtour.  The locomotive was held at a red light on approach to Westbury Station and so was a freight train headed in the opposite direction.

“The driver popped out to get a photo of the Steam Train and it added to the photo, particularly on a cold day with the Westbury White Horse in the background.

“I was rather hoping it might appear at Westbury, given the image included the White Horse, but it’s great to see it on display at Trowbridge Station, along with other worthy winners.”

In addition to the winning entries, a selection of runners-up photos have also been showcased in a series of posters displayed at stations along the route.