Warwickshire Railways: Railway Art and Colourised Photographs

Our admiration for artists who have the ability to capture the atmosphere of railways and translate it on to canvas led to our creating this section of the website soon after the website was created. We stated then that whilst photographers can capture the moment, and thereby record actual events, artists can capture much more which is why paintings are so often described as being evocative but photographs rarely so. Some ten plus years since the website was launched technology has now offered the ability to convert black and white images to colour. In the field of film this has proven highly controversial and I am sure there will be people who will have a similar view of black and white railway photographs being colourised. Without detracting in any way from the inspired work of talented artists, whether they be professionals like Phil Hawkins or Gerald Broom or 'amateurs' like Alan Fisher, we believe there is a place for colourisation and have therefore added a section on this page to show off colourised photographs.

Colourised Photographs

The ability to colourise railway photographs is in our opinion worthy of having its own section on the website, specifically focused on black and white photographs that are on the website. The stated aim of the 'colourisers' is that 'All the colours have been researched and are as accurate as can be for the given period, so if you like your railways in colour then you are in the right place. You might even be tempted to give it a go yourself?' To see other colourisations of subjects outside our area see their Facebook page via Colourising Railways. If you would like to nominate a colourised photograph or would like to suggest a black & white photograph (from within the scope of the website) for someone to colourise, please contact mark@smiles-global.com.

Ref: lnwr_tt1218colour David Williams LMS 5XP 4-6-0 Jubilee class No 5638 'Zanzibar' heads an up milk and perishables train into Town Thorns cutting

Ref: lnwrk167colour David Williams Ex-MR 3F 0-6-0 No 43709 is seen at the head of a down Class K freight service for Washwood Heath Sidings

Ref: lnwrh3608colour Mark Judd Ex-MR 2F 0-6-0 No 58185 shunting an ex-LMS Five Plank wagon at Harborne station

Ref: gwrbsh3152colour Mark Judd Ex-GWR 0-6-0PT No 8737 emerging out of the black depths of Snow Hill Tunnel

Ref: lnwr_hw3609 Mark Judd BR Standard Class 9F 2-10-0 No 92059 passes through Handsworth Park at the head of an oil train

Ref: mrbhm_sa3367c Mark Judd Ex-LMS 5MT 4-6-0 No 44659 is seen approaching Brickyard Crossing with a direct northbound holiday train

Ref: lnwrbns_str3610 Mark Judd Trainspotters get the best of both worlds sitting on the wall at Paternoster Row Birmingham in 1952

Ref: gwrbsh3153 Mark Judd Ex-GWR 4-6-0 No 6021 'King Richard II setting off into the black depths of Snow Hill Tunnel

Ref: gwrmm3139 Adam Wood Territorial soldiers line up for their photograph outside Moreton in Marsh station in August 1914

Ref: gwrmm3138 Adam Wood Territorial soldiers line up for their photograph on the London bound platform in August 1914

Ref: lnwrbns_str3611 Mark Judd The Banner Repeater signal is seen at the north end of New Street's platform 6 with short tunnel beyond

Ref: gwrbsh2581 Mark Judd Ex-LMS 2-8-0 Class 8F No 48765 passes through Birmingham Snow Hill station on 23rd November 1963

Ref: gwrbsh1299 Stephen Arrandale Ex-LMS 2-8-0 Class 8F No 48765 passes through Birmingham Snow Hill station on 23rd November 1963

Ref: lnwra2301 Stephen Arrandale View of the entrance to Aston station, still in LMS livery, and Lichfield Road overbridge on 23rd March 1953

Ref: lnwra3283 Stephen Arrandale BR built 4-6-0 'Black Five' No 44685 being oiled standing beneath the coaling plant on 25th March 1964