OUR PRO’S verdict

Gerry had taken lots of great shots on our day together at Severn Valley Railway, but for me this photograph was easily the best of the bunch. The position of the engine in the frame is spot-on, and the pattern of the smoke in the sky is perfect. We had headed to this spot as the sun illuminates the carriages from the side at that point – and although it was almost midday when Gerry took the photo, the winter sun was still low enough to give great colour to the shot.