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

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

The recent STEAM event at Swindon is the first railway event that I have attended. As always with TimeLine Events it was most enjoyable and good value for money. Most impressed with the smoke/steam effect. I have added an airman and girlfriend from a Just Jane shoot to add a bit more romance to my latest photo on Flickr, many thanks to Neil, the team and to the great re-enactors.

Ian P

Another very well organised event at an exceptional venue - will definitely return there!  Well done to Neil and the team for arranging it.

Nick G

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

Blists Hill (Victorian Town), makes an impressive backdrop, for re-creating scenes from the past. A first class set of re-enactors, happily posed throughout the evening, in various cameo's set up by the TLE team, Neil, David and Nick. As the light faded, the scenes were carefully illuminated, and the smoke machine came into play, to re-create those misty scenes from the 1940's. A thoroughly enjoyable evening, which produced excellent photographic results.

Neil E