From the Light Table: Narrow-Gauge Magic at Aigle

 There is a specific ritual to viewing 35mm slides that digital photography will never quite replicate. It’s the mechanical thwack of the carousel, the smell of a warm projector lamp, and that momentary darkness before a world of vibrant, saturated colour washes over the room.

Today, I’m pulling a particularly sharp frame from my collection: Aigle-Ollon-Monthey-Champéry (AOMC) Unit 591, captured in the crisp Alpine light of Aigle, Switzerland. This image represents more than just a piece of rolling stock; it captures a pivotal era in Swiss mountain railroading where heritage charm met modern efficiency.

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The Subject: AOMC BDeh 4/4 591

The train in the slide is a two-car electric multiple unit (EMU), specifically a BDeh 4/4. For those unfamiliar with Swiss railway designations, the "h" is the crucial bit—it stands for Heubele (rack), indicating that this train is equipped with cogwheels to tackle the punishingly steep gradients on the climb to Champéry.

When I took this shot, Unit 591 was the face of the line. Dressed in its distinctive red and white livery with the stylized mountain peaks along the roofline, it looked every bit the modern mountain climber. These units were built by ACM (Ateliers de constructions mécaniques de Vevey) with electrical components by ABB.

What strikes me most looking at this slide today is the cleanliness of the design. The large, wraparound windscreens and the bold "591" numbering give it a friendly yet industrial aesthetic. It was designed to provide tourists with panoramic views of the Valais Alps while serving as a reliable lifeline for the locals living in the villages scattered along the mountainside.

The Setting: Aigle Station

The location is the forecourt of Aigle station. For a rail enthusiast, Aigle is a sort of "grand central" for narrow-gauge lines. While the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) main line thunders through on the valley floor, Aigle serves as the terminus for three distinct narrow-gauge adventures:

1. The AL (Aigle-Leysin)

2. The ASD (Aigle-Sépey-Diablerets)

3. The AOMC (Aigle-Ollon-Monthey-Champéry)

In the slide, you can see the unique "street running" aspect of the AOMC. Unlike the heavy rail lines tucked away behind fences, these trains often share the asphalt with cars and pedestrians for the first few kilometres. There’s something inherently romantic about a high-tech mountain train waiting patiently next to a sidewalk, its pantograph reaching up into a web of overhead wires that crisscross the blue Swiss sky.

The 35mm Aesthetic

Let’s talk about the medium. This was shot on high-quality 35mm slide film, and the scan reveals why many of us still cling to our "analog" archives. Look at the way the red paint pops against the white bodywork—there is a depth and "glow" to the colours that digital sensors often struggle to interpret without heavy post-processing.

The shadows are deep but retain detail, and the highlights on the chrome and glass don't "clip" harshly. Even the subtle textures of the cobblestones in the foreground and the architectural details of the Swiss building in the background are rendered with a tactile quality. Looking at this scan, you can almost feel the dry, cool mountain air.

Why This Unit Matters

Unit 591 and its siblings represented a transition for the TPC (Transports Publics du Chablais). Before these units arrived in the late 80s and early 90s, the line relied on much older, wooden-framed or early steel carriages that, while charming, couldn't handle the increasing demands of ski tourism.

The 591 brought air suspension, better heating, and significantly faster climb times. It bridged the gap between the "vintage" era of rail travel and the ultra-modern, low-floor Stadler trains that dominate the region today. In many ways, this slide captures the AOMC in its "Golden Age" of modernization.

Memories of the Line

If you ever have the chance to ride the AOMC, take it. Leaving Aigle, the train winds through vineyards that produce some of Switzerland’s finest white wines. It then crosses the Rhône river before beginning its dramatic ascent.

The "rack" section is where the magic happens. You hear the mechanical clatter as the cogwheels engage the center rail, and suddenly, the train is tilted at an angle that feels impossible. Looking out those big windows, you see the valley floor drop away, and the jagged peaks of the Dents du Midi come into view. Unit 591 was the perfect vessel for that experience.

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Final Thoughts

This slide is a prized part of my collection because it isn't just a photo of a train; it’s a timestamp of Swiss precision and Alpine beauty. Every time I scan another slide from this trip, I’m reminded of why the 35mm format remains the gold standard for many of us. It preserves a moment in a way that feels permanent.

The AOMC has changed since this photo was taken—liveries have been updated, and newer stock has been introduced—but in this 2x2 inch piece of film, Unit 591 is still shiny, new, and ready to climb.

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Revisiting Rawcliffe Railway Station: A Portrait of the Parliamentary Halt

 It's a curious experience to return to a place that exists primarily to stave off official non-existence. Just over a year after my first visit in August 2024, I found myself back at Rawcliffe Railway Station, near Goole, on November 10th, 2025. The station, a quintessential "parliamentary halt" on the Pontefract Line, is a poignant monument to the golden age of rail and a stark reminder of service decline.

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Autumn's Embrace at a Forgotten Halt

The images capture the station in the quiet, damp embrace of late autumn. The Victorian station building—a lovely piece of architecture from the line's opening in 1848 by the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway—now stands as a private residence, its original purpose reduced to a charming backdrop for the single-track line.

The atmosphere is one of profound stillness, broken only by the sound of rustling leaves. The track bed and the single remaining operational platform are covered in a carpet of fallen leaves, making the 50 mph speed limit sign look almost redundant.

The Single Platform & The Single Line

Rawcliffe's decline began in the mid-1980s when the once-busy line to the inland port of Goole was singled between Hensall and Goole. This is immediately visible in the photographs:

• Platform Surface: The remaining platform is clearly delineated with the bright yellow safety line, slick with recent rain and strewn with brown, wet leaves. The contrast between the maintained, if leaf-strewn, area and the overgrown embankment on the far side is striking.

• The Former Platform: On the north side, the overgrown, disused platform wall is visible, a haunting outline of the former double-track line. This view truly underscores the station's history and downsizing.

These visual cues speak volumes about the station's status. It is unstaffed, with minimal facilities—just a basic waiting shelter and a timetable board. Tickets can only be bought in advance or on the train.

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The Parliamentary Paradox

Rawcliffe is famous—or perhaps infamous—for its minimal train service. It’s a classic example of a "parliamentary train" station, where just enough services are run (currently 3 per day, Monday to Saturday) to avoid the costly and lengthy formal closure proceedings. This residual timetable keeps the station 'open' and the route operational.

For rail enthusiasts, visiting Rawcliffe is a pilgrimage to one of the UK's least-used stations. In recent years, annual passenger usage has hovered in the low hundreds, making its grand Victorian architecture feel disproportionate to its modern utility. The irony of this situation is fascinating: the station exists not for the passengers it serves, but for the legal technicality it satisfies.

My return visit confirms that Rawcliffe remains a beautiful, melancholic place—a small piece of living railway history clinging on to its official status by the thinnest of timetables.

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Ghostly Waterfalls and Frozen Memories: The River Calder in Winter

On a crisp, snow-dusted day—January 17, 2016—I followed the course of the River Calder through the heart of Calderdale, capturing the raw, wintry beauty of this vital Yorkshire waterway. From the ancient stones of Mearclough near Sowerby Bridge to the industrial echoes at Sterne Mill in Copley, the river transformed the familiar landscape into something stark, silent, and deeply atmospheric.

The Calder, the lifeblood of this valley, has always been inextricably linked to the textile mills and industry that built Sowerby Bridge and Halifax. In summer, its flow is vibrant and green; in mid-winter, with a dusting of snow, it takes on a formidable, historical character.

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1. Mearclough: Where Stone Meets Snow

Near Sowerby Bridge, the river bends beneath the arches of Mearclough Bridge . This substantial stone structure, framed by leafless, snow-dusted trees, speaks of centuries of crossings. The bridge itself, with its deep-set arches, stands as a testament to the engineering required to manage the Calder’s often-ferocious flow.

Further upstream, the river widens, rushing over the Mearclough Weir . The water takes on a dark, heavy hue, reflecting the grey winter sky. The snow clinging to the banks and the roofs of the old brick buildings across the water perfectly encapsulates the classic, rugged industrial landscape of the Pennines—a landscape of grit, stone, and water.

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2. Sterne Mill, Copley: A Powerful Halt

A short distance downriver, the landscape shifts at Copley, dominated by the wide expanse of the Sterne Mill Weir.

Here, the water is held in a glassy, mirror-like pool before cascading over the structure . The snow-covered riverbanks and the backdrop of bare hills make the still water a perfect reflector, doubling the ghostly, winter-silhouetted trees.

The weir itself is a spectacular sight in this weather . The churning, white foam of the waterfall contrasts sharply with the still, dark water held back by the concrete and metal works. It's a reminder of the sheer power of the water that was harnessed to turn the wheels of Copley's mills.

• The dark, rusted metal sheeting alongside the river channel hints at the modern flood defences and infrastructure required to control the river today .

• Looking across the wider river, the faint track of a railway line is visible, another line of transport that runs parallel to the Calder, reinforcing the valley’s role as a key transport corridor .

The view of the wide bend near Copley captures the essence of the valley's quiet power: the smooth, purposeful flow of the river, framed by the white snow and the dark, bare trees . It is a river that has seen centuries of human endeavour, and on a frozen January morning, it feels like it is waiting patiently for spring, its history suspended in the cold air.

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From Mill Smoke to Slalom Gates: A Springtime Stroll Through Historic Sowerby Bridge

 Sowerby Bridge, nestled in the heart of West Yorkshire's Calder Valley, is a place where industrial grit and rolling green hills meet.  This photo set, perfectly captures this unique blend, telling a story of the town’s past as a vital hub of the Industrial Revolution and its present life as a vibrant, water-focused community.

Relics of the Industrial Giants

The town’s landscape is dominated by the enduring structures built on the wealth of textiles and engineering. These buildings, often made of local sandstone, speak volumes about the power and scale of the mills that once drove the valley.

Nothing defines this legacy more than the iconic mill chimney, as captured dramatically against the bright blue sky in your images. The tall, slender structure of the Carlton Mill Chimney stands as a magnificent, slightly defiant sentinel. One photo perfectly frames it through the narrow arch of Old Cawsey, a classic Sowerby Bridge passage. This viewpoint is gold—it juxtaposes the sheer vertical scale of the chimney with the intimate, historic stonework of the side streets, reminding us that industry was built right into the fabric of daily life.

The Waterways: Heart of the Town

Sowerby Bridge’s existence is defined by water. It sits at the junction of the River Calder and the Rochdale Canal, making it a crucial transit point for transporting coal and wool. Today, these waterways are where the town’s historical and contemporary identities collide.

This shot of Lock 2 on the Rochdale Canal beautifully captures the engineering feat of the 18th century. The sturdy stone walls, the white lock gates, and the church tower looming in the background create a picturesque scene that draws in canal enthusiasts and history buffs alike. This lock is a gateway, physically and metaphorically, connecting Sowerby Bridge to Manchester and the broader network of Britain's canals.

The River Calder: From Industry to Adventure

In the heart of the town, the River Calder transforms from an industrial route to a recreational hub. Your photos brilliantly capture the dramatic, rocky sections of the river, home to a surprising watersport facility.

The images showing the Canoe Slalom course—marked by the vertical white poles and the churning water—reveal a hidden, adventurous side of the town. These shots, framed by the old mill buildings and dense greenery, perfectly illustrate the repurposing of the landscape. The river, once used to power the mills like Valley Mill, is now a playground for canoeists. The rugged, rocky terrain makes for a challenging and scenic course, perfect for capturing the spirit of outdoor adventure in a historic setting.

Hidden Gems and Local Life

Beyond the major structures, Sowerby Bridge hides charming, centuries-old corners.

A visit to Sowerby Bridge isn't complete without a nod to the local landmarks. The image of the Puzzle Hall Inn captures a piece of genuine local history—a traditional pub nestled amongst the new. Similarly, the shot of the Town Hall Clock tower, peeking above the spring foliage, reminds us of the civic pride and architectural detail of the town centre. These human-scale photos ground the massive industrial features in everyday life.

The pictures were taken with a Nikon d3300 on the 3rd May 2025, clicking any of them should open a link in another window to my Colin Green Photography store on Zazzle.

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A Line of Iron and Grit: Tracing Part of the Halifax to Queensbury Railway

Back in May 2015, I spent a day walking the ghost lines of the Halifax to Queensbury Railway, a spectacular and demanding route that was part of the Great Northern Railway’s challenging "Queensbury Lines" network. This railway was born of Victorian ambition, forging a path through the steep Pennine terrain—a task so difficult it earned the nickname 'the Alpine route' or 'the switchback'.

The short section I explored, captured in these photos, run from the former site of North Bridge Railway Station up toward where the Woodside Viaduct once stood. These remnants of a mighty line, which closed to passengers in 1955 and completely in 1974, speak volumes about the engineering and industrial power of West Yorkshire.

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The Haunted Halt: North Bridge Station

My journey started at the site of North Bridge Station. Opened in 1880, it was built by the Halifax and Ovenden Junction Railway, jointly operated by the Great Northern Railway (GNR) and the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway (L&YR).

The station itself was a marvel of Victorian compromise. The line had to run beneath the newly rebuilt North Bridge, which was raised an impressive 11 feet to clear the tracks. The passenger facilities were apparently "cramped & gloomy," but the site was a major hub for goods, including a large yard that served the nearby gasworks. Today, the station buildings are long gone, replaced by a leisure centre and its car park.

The only prominent survivors are the iron footbridge that once spanned the platforms and the dark, imposing mouth of the Old Lane Tunnel.

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Tunnels and Tragedies: The Route North

Heading north from North Bridge, the line immediately plunged into engineering challenges. The nearby Woodside Viaduct was a six-arched structure that carried the line toward the Old Lane (Woodside) Tunnel and Lee Bank Tunnel. Tragically, the viaduct was later demolished to make room for the A629 road, the main road between Halifax and Keighley.

All that remains now is the impressive southern abutment , a powerful stone statement of where a massive structure once began.

Further on, the line passed through the Lee Bank Tunnel(sometimes referred to as Woodside Tunnel). It’s an incredibly atmospheric stretch, the stonework damp and mossy, a true forgotten path. The entire Queensbury Lines project was notoriously difficult and dangerous, leading to the local press dubbing them "the slaughtering lines" due to the casualties sustained during construction. Lee Bank Tunnel will feature in a later post.

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The Photography: A Splash of History

To capture the mood of this forgotten industrial heritage, I chose a specific editing style for these photos: selective colour removal.

I stripped almost all colour, rendering the stone, moss, and foliage in moody, evocative black and white. The only colour I allowed to remain was red . This choice was deliberate, a visual metaphor for a past that was dramatic and often difficult:

• The Grit and Rust: Red represents the rust of forgotten ironwork and the danger of the great works.

• The Warning: It highlights the warning signs of demolition and decay that now mark these historical sites .

• A Trail of Memory: It forces the eye to focus on the small, contemporary markers that dot the landscape, sharply contrasting the scale of the forgotten Victorian infrastructure with its quiet modern life.

Walking these overgrown tracks is a humbling experience. They are a physical reminder of the sheer human effort and engineering ambition that powered the industrial North, now slowly being reclaimed by nature.

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Huncoat: A Lancashire Railway Station with a Powerful Past

 In August 2022, I took a trip to the quaint village of Huncoat in Lancashire, camera in hand (my trusty Nikon D3300!) to capture the essence of its modest but historically significant railway station.

This seemingly quiet stop on the East Lancashire Line holds a fascinating past, closely linked to the region's industrial boom. It's more than just a place to catch a train; it's a window into the coal, brick, and power-generating industries that once dominated this area.

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The Historical Significance

Huncoat Railway Station, currently managed by Northern Trains, first opened its doors on September 18, 1848, as part of the East Lancashire Railway. Interestingly, the station you see today isn't the original location—it was relocated to its current site in 1902 by the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway to better serve the growing local industries.

• Industrial Hub: The area around the station exploded with industry between the two World Wars. It served three local collieries (coal mines), two coke ovens, and the famous Accrington Nori Brick Works. This meant a vast network of mineral lines converged here, making Huncoat a vital freight hub.

• The Power Station Link: Perhaps the most imposing piece of local history was the massive Huncoat Power Station, constructed between 1950 and 1956 right next to the station. It relied on the railway for the massive amounts of coal it consumed. While the power station was decommissioned in 1984 and the site is now a nature walk, the sheer scale of the operation it once supported is impressive.

• A Railway Award Winner: In a testament to its freight importance, the station actually won a railway award just before the start of the Second World War for the sheer tonnage of freight it handled!

Capturing the Modern Halt

Today, the bustling freight yards are gone, and the grand old 1912 station buildings—which once housed a booking office, waiting rooms, and a parcels office—have been replaced with simple, modern shelters, marking its evolution into a quiet, unstaffed commuter halt.

Despite the modernisation, the station's character shines through, especially thanks to the community effort from the local group, 'Hands on Huncoat', who often add beautiful floral displays, breathing new life into the platforms.

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Your Journey on the East Lancashire Line

The station sits on the East Lancashire Line, connecting destinations in a convenient one-hour frequency (hourly on weekdays and Saturdays, two-hourly on Sundays).

• Westbound: Trains head toward Accrington, Blackburn, and ultimately Preston.

• Eastbound: Services run to Burnley and Colne.

The contrasting elements of Huncoat make it a compelling subject for any rail enthusiast—the simple functionality of a modern Northern station set against a backdrop of deep industrial history. If you're ever travelling through Lancashire, it’s a spot well worth a pause to reflect on the industries that shaped the region.

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