Fifty years of Phoenix

The Phoenix Railway Photographic Circle, best known for the different approach to railway photography by its members, marks its 50th anniversary this year with the publication of a book. Here is the group’s story.

THIS year, the Phoenix Railway Photographic Circle, founded by Wyn Hobson in 1971, celebrates its 50th anniversary. Wyn created the Circle partly to encourage and promote innovative styles of railway photography, using a variety of approaches to composition and techniques, and to expand and develop these through experimentation and discussion among likeminded railway photographers.

Fifty years on, Phoenix remains very much alive and well, creating imaginative photographs of the modern railway scene. Recent technological advances in both camera and processing technology have certainly opened many new avenues for members to explore.

In recognition of this significant milestone, to celebrate the occasion a book is being published that presents a representative selection of the work of members present and past. Of the 850 photographs submitted, there was space for 179 between the book’s covers. Some of the photographs which didn’t quite make the final publication are shown here, to give a flavour of the work of the Circle, and as an appetiser for what is to be seen in the book.

Wyn, who has written the introductory chapter, gives a fascinating insight into the events which led to the Circle’s formation, and a description of the Circle’s history and work over the past half-century.

He commented: “Through its published books, magazine photo-features, public exhibitions, and individual members’ editorial and online activity, the Circle has done much to normalise alternative approaches to the photography of diesel and electric rail traction.”

The subsequent 13 chapters of the book show photographs in various styles and genres, depicting different aspects of the railway scene, predominantly in the United Kingdom, but also across the world.

Membership of the Circle brings many benefits, with members discussing images, approaches to photography, and image processing, and providing valuable critiques, aimed at helping those who want to hone their craft. Jim Knight, who joined the Circle seven years ago and is the current chairman, said: “Membership of Phoenix has had a positive effect on many members, improving their photography skills and techniques of camera set-up, composition and post-processing; I certainly feel it has been very useful to me.

“There really aren’t any forums quite like the Circle, where open and frank discussion can be had, which has provided much thought-provoking assistance to me. Of course, we do not always agree with each other, but that is part of the fun!”

For those who are interested in photographing the railway scene, and who seek to improve their output and techniques, and can take positive criticism (as well as compliments of course!) there may be no better vehicle to help them onto the right track.

“Members of the Circle, which is currently 35-strong, share and discuss images both electronically via the website, and by circulation of portfolios of prints. Regular social events are normally held, but due to the pandemic have had to be held remotely by video link in 2021. Occasional events of other kinds are also organised, our next being an exhibition of members’ work at the ‘Brief Encounter’ gallery at Carnforth railway station heritage centre during July, August and September of this year.

“Anyone who is interested in finding out more, or perhaps even joining the Circle, can find further information on our website: phoenix-rpc.co.uk

“During the past 12 months or more, Wyn and I as co-editors, and our editorial team, have been planning and putting together the book; we hope it will be well received, and inspirational to some. I am grateful to the 52 members and ex-members who have contributed to it, and to those who have provided much valuable assistance in putting it together.”

The book, entitled 50 Years of Phoenix, is published by Silver Link Publishing, a subsidiary of Mortons Media Group, and is now available direct from www.mortonsbooks.co.uk/silverlink

PHOENIX RISING: 50 years of photography

NIGEL CAPELLE Caught in the screen of a video camera, 60020 approaches Bull Street bridge in Brierley Hill, West Midlands, with a leg of Pathfinder Tours’‘The Mini Tug’ railtour, from Round Oak to Oxford on January 2, 2016.

MARTYN FORDHAM Above: A DB Schenker-operated container train, with 66030 in charge, passing Little Downham near Ely on December 11, 2010.

NIGEL POWER Daybreak at St Olaves, Norfolk, on the banks of the River Waveney. Abellio Greater Anglia’s 156417 forms a Norwich-Lowestoft service on September 21, 2016.

MARSDEN COLIN BR Southern Region 4-CAP electric multiple-unit 3303 heads towards Redhill, Surrey, en route from Selhurst Depot to Brighton Lovers Walk Depot on April 20, 1982.

DAVID FLITCROFT 47358 joins the West Coast Main Line at Carnforth with a southbound train of caustic soda tankers on August 24, 1987. A ‘Pacer’ diesel multiple-unit forming a train for Barrow approaches in the distance.

ROBERT FRANCE A Freightliner Class 66 with the 13.46 Carlisle Yard-Leeds coal train is about to cross Batty Moss, and Ribblehead viaduct, on the Settle & Carlisle line, in low evening light on November 23, 2014. Taken from high up on Park Fell, this image was the winner in the Lines in the Landscape category of the 2015 Landscape Photographer of the Year competition, jointly sponsored by the Sunday Times and Network Rail.

TERRY CALLAGHAN The 07.10 Tees Dock-Boulby Mine, a train of empty potash wagons for reloading, sweeps inland at Hunt Cliff near Saltburn, Cleveland, with 66531 at its head on September 27, 2016.

STUART HASSELL Right: Chiltern Railways’ 168004, forming the 07.12 Kidderminster-High Wycombe, waits for the right-away at Birmingham Moor Street station on February 9, 2019. Heading out of the rising sun is West Midlands Trains’ 172343, forming the 07.00 Stratford-uponAvon-Stourbridge Junction.

JIM KNIGHT Above: Track relaying at Shrewsbury railway station, with Colas Rail’s 70805 in attendance at the head of an engineers’ train on July 9, 2016. A railway operative heads back towards the worksite.

DAFYDD WHYLES Right: Ketton signal, on the Leicester to Peterborough line on November 17, 2002. This was the last Midland Railway lower quadrant signal to survive on BR. The photograph was taken under supervision, and the finial was reinstated for the event, having been removed for safe-keeping by the line manager.