Reviews

This was my third visit to Weeting and seventh TLE event. Once again it was an excellent event with lots of different set ups and settings including threshing, ploughing, log sawing and transport. Everyone was very friendly and helpful and the wonderful re-enactors obliged us with all kind of poses without looking too staged. Neil and his team must be praised for the way they put these events together. This review cannot be complete with mention for the catering staff who served us up wonderful refreshments. Alan P

I have attended three shoots with TLE at East Kirkby, and all have been expertly run by Neil and the team. Always on hand to accommodate any ideas that we photographers have, Neil and his team also offer photographic advice should we need it. In large groups for such shoots as nighttime engine runs, the team are very good at making sure people move around, allowing everybody to get their shots from different angles. This doesn’t happen with another company I use, and it really makes a difference. Neil and the team are also very good at organising the re-enactors. I enjoy the TLE events and would not hesitate to recommend them.

Rob H

I did the Vulcan night shoot and had an incredible day. A great deal of thought had gone into the perfect scenes for photographers, particularly liked the re-enactors freezing as slow shutter speeds had to be used. I can confirm from my images there was little or no movement. Well done to them. Also liked that a tent had been provided to keep dry as the start of our shoot was wet. If I had to be critical at all I would have liked somewhere to sit, just some benches in the tent would have done. Also at times there was far too many people, some not recognising that they were not the only ones trying to get shots. I would be prepared to pay more and have less people but these are only small issues. A really enjoyable day and I got some great shots. Looking forward to doing many more.

Simon P

I attended the recent TLE end of year gathering and photoshoot at Papplewick pumping station. The event was well organised by Neil and his team, there were plenty of models and re-enactors attending the event which kept us all busy and cameras clicking. The models and re-enactors were of the highest calibre with some bringing along their vintage cars and motorbikes. The pumping stations victorian setting made for a great backdrop and portable lighting setups were available for deployment as you liked. Altogether a fantastic day out and one that I would highly recommended. Nigel Stewart

Fairburn Tank in The Lakes" was the title for Timeline's November outing with 42073 at the Lakeside and Haverthwaite line, but little did the unwary participants anticipate how close to actually being under water this event threatened to be as the River Leven surged past the Linsty Green location providing an interesting diversion from the rather sombre first day's shoot in the perpetual gloom of The Lakes at their most miserable. Undeterred, Neil and his willing co conspirators, the two Peters, pressed on and, with some relief from the rainfall later in the day, and despite awesome ASA readings, a reasonable selection of images was procured along the branch. A satisfyingly filling early dinner in the L and H restaurant and night shoot starring the motionless Linda completed the proceedings for Day One, with an optimistic weather forecast for the morrow in the minds of those with two days suffering booked. To everyone's relief Thursday dawned with hills visible and a prospect of brightness and so it came to pass that the sun did wilfully illuminate Sowerby Bridge's finest and her diminutive train at most of the key locations along the line. Opinion seemed to favour the rock face just east of Haverthwaite Tunnel as the master shot, but the woods approaching Newby Bridge must have been a close second with their autumn tints sparkling in the sunshine. The morning ended with some reflective views over the reed beds approaching Lakeside, after which a return to lunch at Haverthwaite was made as the sun gave way to clouds portending the arrival of the storm-named-Abigail. Rain and increased gloominess over lunch saw an exodus of participants before a superbly smokey afternoon departure to Lakeside, but once again, Neil's personal hotline to God had already secured the services of the golden orb and I think there was a general feeling that Timeline had made the best of what originally seemed most unpromising circumstances. Notwithstanding day one's adversities I enjoyed this charter and thank Neil, Linda, the Two Peters and all the staff of the L and HR who made it possible.

Pete S

This week saw my first outing with TLE, a charter with GWR 0-6-0PT 1369 on the South Devon Railway from Buckfastleigh.  The day was most enjoyable!  Within the limitations imposed by a lack of watering facilities (for the loco, not the participants!) and the fickle nature of the sun, the event was well-run and I came away with some nice shots.  I've already booked up for a second event with TLE next month, and expect I will do more in the future.  Highly recommended!

Brian T