Reviews

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

Had a greatly enjoyable day at North Weald last week, the mid-day American Pin-up event Wed 31 Aug, thanks to good weather. A bit bright at times, but manageable (well for those with more skilled than me!), good company and organisation (thanks Neil), not forgetting the very helpful and cooperative models (Annette, Pearl, Sugar and Isabella), nor the Hangar 11 guys and the plane, jeep and motorbike owner who let us use the planes as backdrops...

It was my first such model shoot and not really my scene (he claims!) but was good fun. Thanks to all involved.

David R

As a regular visitor to East Kirkby and Just Jane, I enjoy the oppressive to take part in TLE. Neil & Alan are brilliant in the way that they are there for all your needs and are very approachable particularly if you need a little technical help. I’ve attended photography events with other operators where re-enactors forget they they are chiefly there for us the customers, but the way that Neil & Alan get the guys and girls to to do repeat walks, or when they hold a certain pose for a few seconds. The banter is also good, and I particularly like the fact that we are all encouraged to be friendly and aware of each and to be polite. I cannot recommend TLE highly enough and look forward to a shoot containing the Mosquito in 2020. Rob Hayton

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

Just to say many thanks, both to yourself, ‘Anchorman’ Dave, the crew of RAF 102, and of course the man upstairs, who was in charge of the weather, for a really superb day on the Solent yesterday. Anchorman has the speed, and flexibility, of chasing boats on water, which also enabled us to make good use of the prevailing weather conditions. I have rarely experienced such dramatic cloud backdrops, against a photographic subject. As for the awesome ‘demo’ by the Coastguard patrol, it was a privilege to be able to witness the precision of the crew, at such close hand. I look forward to next years Solent programme, you have certainly set the bar high after yesterday! Well done once again to all involved.

Neil E

HSL 102/SS Waverley-Needles Event - The weather was changable, the sea calm and the light was simply fantastic. Taking pictures of HSL 102 on her way over to Lymington and then onto The Needles was sublime. As always the boat was skippered to give the photographers the best opportunities to get our pictures. With the Needles backdrop fantastic images were to be had. A sharp rain shower changed the lighting into something very dramatic. We meet up with the Waverley and were able to get pictures of the 2 historic boats togther and then close ups of the Waverely when docked. The icing on the cake for us photographers was the appearance twice of the Coastguard Helicopter on the second time putting a paramedic on board our boat for training purposes. A great day of photography was had by all.

Ronald L