Colin Green Photography: Train Photography

Tuesday, 5 May 2026

A Photographic Journey Through Mirfield Railway Station

Mirfield Railway Station is more than just a stop on a commuter line; it is a living testament to the industrial revolution’s enduring legacy in West Yorkshire. Nestled between the bustling hubs of Leeds and Manchester, this station serves as a gateway to a town that refuses to lose its character. Whether you are a rail enthusiast, a local historian, or a photographer looking for that perfect blend of grit and sunset gold, Mirfield offers a unique visual narrative.

In this post, we explore the rich history of Mirfield’s rail connections and take a photographic tour of the station as it stands today—a mix of Victorian infrastructure, modern transit, and community-led art.

A wide-angle shot of the railway tracks curving into the distance. To the right, an island platform features a red waiting shelter and tall street lamps that are lit up. The ground is covered in grey ballast and sparse winter vegetation. In the far distance, a warm orange signal light glows against the blue-grey dusk sky.

A Glimpse into the Past: The Growth of a Junction

The story of Mirfield Railway Station begins in the mid-19th century. Originally opened by the Manchester and Leeds Railway in 1840, the station quickly became a vital junction. In its heyday, Mirfield wasn't just a platform; it was a hive of activity where the lines from Low Moor (Bradford), Huddersfield, and Wakefield converged.

For over a century, the station sat at the heart of the "Spen Valley Line," serving the heavy textile industries that defined the region. Looking at the surrounding architecture today—specifically the looming Ledgard Bridge Mill visible from the platforms—you can almost hear the ghost of steam whistles and the clatter of looms that once dominated the air.

While the Beeching cuts of the 1960s saw many smaller lines disappear, Mirfield survived as a crucial artery for the TransPennine Route, maintaining its relevance in an era of high-speed digital connectivity.

Photography: Capturing the "Welcome to Mirfield"

Approaching the station from the town centre, photographers are immediately greeted by one of the most vibrant spots in the area: the underpass mural.

The Arrival Mural

The street art under the bridge is a "stand-out" subject. The "Welcome to Mirfield" lettering, styled in a bold, retro-script, pops against a bright yellow and lime-green background.

Pro Tip: This area is shaded by the bridge above, making it an ideal spot to shoot even in harsh midday sun. The juxtaposition of the gritty brickwork with the polished TransPennine Express logo and the town’s crest creates a wonderful "urban-meets-heritage" aesthetic.

Platforms and Perspectives

A high-angle view looking down a concrete staircase at Mirfield Railway Station. The stairs are flanked by vibrant, bright red metal handrails. The walls are white masonry, and at the bottom of the stairs, a banner reads "Welcome to Mirfield in Bloom." In the background, railway tracks and industrial fencing are visible under a grey, overcast sky.

The station itself follows an island platform layout, reached via a set of distinctive red-railed stairs. These stairs provide a leading-line opportunity that draws the eye down into the underpass, where another sign reads, "Welcome to Mirfield in Bloom."

Once on the platforms, the view opens up. The station maintains a minimalist, functional feel, but the details make it special:

A view down the length of a quiet railway platform during twilight. In the foreground, four peaked-roof metal bicycle storage lockers stand on the left. A red-framed waiting shelter is visible further down the platform. The tracks extend into the distance toward low hills under a cloudy evening sky. "MIND THE GAP" is painted on the platform edge.

A wide perspective shot of an empty station platform. A blue station sign on the left reads "Mirfield." Tall street lamps illuminate the walkway, and a line of green bushes runs along the left boundary. The railway tracks parallel the platform, leading the eye toward distant station lights and a dark, tree-covered hillside.

The Island Platform: The long, straight stretches of the platform edge, marked with "Mind the Gap," offer classic vanishing point compositions.

A view looking down the length of the platform. In the foreground is a curved, translucent cycle storage rack and a large "Information" board with various posters. Behind them stands the red-framed waiting shelter. The platform surface is dark asphalt with a yellow tactile safety strip along the track edge.

Modern Amenities: The bright red waiting shelters and the curved silver bike racks (DSC_0331) provide splashes of colour against the often-moody Yorkshire sky.

The Industrial Backdrop: Ledgard Bridge Mill

A train with bright headlights approaches the station from the distance. To the left stands the large, historic stone Ledgard Bridge mill building, which has been converted into apartments. A black wooden slat fence separates the platform area from the tracks, and a platform sign marked "2" is visible in the foreground.

One cannot discuss photography at Mirfield Station without mentioning the Ledgard Bridge Mill. This stunning stone structure dominates the horizon to the west.

When a train approaches or departs, the contrast between the sleek, modern rolling stock and the 19th-century mill creates a powerful "then and now" image. During the "blue hour"—that magical time just after sunset—the station lights flicker on, reflecting off the damp platform surface, while the mill remains a dark, imposing silhouette against the fading light.

Rail Enthusiast Highlights: TransPennine and Northern

Mirfield is a fantastic spot for "train spotting" photography. It is served by both Northern and TransPennine Express, and it's a common site for the Grand Central service to London to go thundering through on the fast lines.

The station’s layout allows for wide-angle shots of the tracks curving away toward Ravensthorpe or Huddersfield (DSC_0338). The presence of Platform 3—a somewhat detached section visible across the ballast (DSC_0333)—adds layers to the composition, showing the complexity of the junction’s geography.

A view of Platform 2 featuring a "Way Out" sign and a large number "2" on a pole. The red waiting shelter and wooden planters are visible. In the background to the left, the large stone facade of the historic Ledgard Bridge Mill stands prominently under a pale, overcast sky.

A landscape view taken from across the railway infrastructure. Multiple sets of tracks lead the eye toward Platform 3 in the distance. The platform is elevated and lined with a dark fence, featuring several streetlights and its own red waiting shelter. Wooded hills are visible in the background under a dim evening sky.

Mirfield in Bloom: A Community Effort

A wide shot of Platform 1 at Mirfield station during twilight. To the left, a train with glowing headlights approaches on the tracks. The platform features a red-framed glass waiting shelter, a pink bench, and several large wooden planters with greenery. Tall streetlights illuminate the scene against a hazy blue and purple sky.

As you walk the platforms, you’ll notice the wooden planters and well-kept greenery. This is the work of the Mirfield in Bloom team. For a photographer, these provide "foreground interest." Capturing a blurred train passing behind a row of neatly trimmed grasses or winter bedding plants adds a touch of life and soft texture to the otherwise hard environment of steel and stone.

Photography Tips for Mirfield Station

Golden Hour is King: Because the station is relatively open, the low sun can create long, dramatic shadows across the tracks.
Wide and Tight: Use a wide-angle lens (18mm to 24mm) to capture the scale of the mill and the platforms. Switch to a telephoto lens (70mm+) to compress the tracks and capture the heat haze or headlights of an approaching Class 185 or 802.
The Underpass: Don't forget the murals! Use a tripod if possible, as the light levels under the bridge are lower, requiring a slower shutter speed to keep the colours vibrant.
Weather: Don't be afraid of the rain. The puddles on the platform reflect the red railings and the station lights beautifully, creating a "cyberpunk" feel in a historic setting.

Summary: A Town on the Move

Mirfield Railway Station is more than a transit point; it is a symbol of the town's resilience and its place in the heart of the North. From its Victorian roots to its modern-day role as a commuter hub, it offers a wealth of stories for those willing to stop and look.

The next time you find yourself waiting for the Manchester train, take a moment to look at the textures of the brickwork, the symmetry of the tracks, and the proud "Welcome to Mirfield" sign that has greeted generations of travellers.

A view along the edge of a narrow railway platform. The foreground shows "MIND THE GAP" painted in white on the tarmac next to a tactile paving strip. To the left, a dark wooden fence is decorated with a colorful floral mural and a "Welcome to Mirfield in Bloom" sign. A red waiting shelter and station signage are visible further down the platform, with tracks curving to the right.

I took these on the 30th December 2019 with a Nikon d3300. Please take a moment to share this post, follow me on social media, and explore my work on Clickasnap and Photo4Me using the links below. Your support means a lot!

All the pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green.

Wednesday, 26 November 2025

A Rare Sight in the Valley: TransPennine Express Diverted Past Brearley

The Calder Valley Line is a gem of Northern rail travel, known for its winding route through deep, green valleys and historic mill towns. But on June 1st, 2024, it offered up a sight rail enthusiasts rarely, if ever, get to see: a TransPennine Express (TPE) train from Manchester Victoria to Saltburn roaring through the valley floor at Brearley (near Luddendenfoot).

The Unexpected Visitor

Typically, the TPE services that run between Manchester and Saltburn use the main Leeds and York routes. These are the fast intercity links, and the local, slower-paced Calder Valley Line is usually reserved for Northern services.

However, due to scheduled engineering works elsewhere on the network—the inevitable weekend maintenance that keeps the UK rail network running—this particular TPE service had to take a detour. And what a magnificent detour it was.

I was positioned above the line at Brearley, near the historic stone retaining walls, with the lush, vibrant greenery of the valley providing a perfect frame. The sun, dappled by the clouds, illuminated the scene, making the purple rhododendron blossoms on the embankment pop against the deep forest green.

When the train appeared, it was a blur of blue and yellow against the landscape. The TPE livery is a familiar sight at major stations, but here, in the secluded valley, it felt like an interloper—a high-speed express briefly slowing its pace to appreciate the West Yorkshire scenery.

Capturing the Moment

I had my Nikon D3300 ready. Capturing a moving train in a forested valley is a classic photography challenge, especially when you want to convey the sense of motion against a stationary, beautiful backdrop.

To achieve that wonderful blur on the train while keeping the surroundings relatively sharp, I used a technique called panning. It involves:

Setting a Slower Shutter Speed: Around 1/125th or 1/160th of a second was perfect to blur the wheels and the carriages just enough.
Tracking the Subject: As the train approached, I smoothly moved my camera, keeping the main engine or a specific carriage door exactly in the same spot in the viewfinder.
The Shot: Firing the shutter while still panning.

The result is a photograph where the train appears to stretch and streak, emphasising its speed and momentum, while the detail of the surrounding trees and purple flowers remains a sharp frame for the action. The motion blur on the train perfectly contrasts with the solidity of the valley.

This wasn't just a photograph of a train; it was a snapshot of a railway story—a fleeting moment where operational necessity created a beautiful, one-off photographic opportunity.

The Beauty of Brearley

The location itself, near the village of Luddendenfoot, is a photographer’s dream. The Calder Valley is one of the most rugged and rewarding sections of the Pennine route, carving its way through what was once a powerhouse of the Industrial Revolution. Today, it’s a tranquil scene of stone-built villages nestled into the hillside, with the railway tracing the ribbon of the River Calder below.

For anyone looking to capture the romance of British railways, the Calder Valley Line—even on an ordinary day—offers endless compositions.

But seeing that big TPE heading to Saltburn on these tracks? That's one for the logbook! Always remember to keep your eyes open, because sometimes the best photo opportunities are the unexpected diversions.

Clicking any of the pictures should open a link in another window to my Colin Green Photography store on Zazzle.

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