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Photocharters

Discussion in 'Photography' started by Bifur01, Dec 8, 2012.

  1. Bifur01

    Bifur01 Member

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    To all,
    I've recently been growing interested in booking on my first photocharter, most likely a DFR one, but the SVR, GWR, WSR and AVR are also likely candidates. Does anyone have any website adressses for the organisers, or a list of ones I could attend, particularly at the DFR, as the photo I saw of 1450 at a Mike Tyack charter on the DFR has got me interested.
    Thanks in advance,
    Tim.
     
  2. Spamcan81

    Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

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    PM me and I'll add you to my invite list.
     
  3. Bifur01

    Bifur01 Member

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    You have been PM'd
     
  4. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    Likewise drop me a PM . SVR dates in the spring (as with Ian) coming up plus FFestiniog ,Beamish , Tanfield and L&B

    Charters are open to everyone , and we do try to cater for both stills and video
     
  5. Bifur01

    Bifur01 Member

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    You have been PM'd too!
     
  6. Neil_Scott

    Neil_Scott Part of the furniture

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    Just out of curiosity - what makes you want to start attending charter days?
     
  7. Bifur01

    Bifur01 Member

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    The opportunity of being able to photograph interesting and authentic trains in the landscape, having seen photos from some of them.
    Especially ones which would not be seen regularly, such as the 28xx on the SVR's GW freight rake, for example, or the DFR's pannier on a freight...
     
  8. Neil_Scott

    Neil_Scott Part of the furniture

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    Fair enough. You can certainly get some 'interesting' shots - A4 on a country branch line anyone?!
     
  9. Spamcan81

    Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

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    So you're not a lover of charters then Neil but they raise lots of money for the heritage movement. Do you have a problem with that?
     
  10. Neil_Scott

    Neil_Scott Part of the furniture

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    How have you reached the view that I don't love charters? As usual, you're assuming far too much Ian.
     
  11. Spamcan81

    Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

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    Your remark "A4 on country branch line anyone?" certainly gives the impression that you're not a big fan of at least some types of charters. Perhaps you should make yourself a bit more clear.
    And I was asking if you weren't a lover, not stating it.
     
  12. Neil_Scott

    Neil_Scott Part of the furniture

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    Ian, you're just jumping to conclusions. I have fired photocharters and intended to participate in two this year but didn't for certain reasons. How you can reach your conclusion that I hate photocharters is beyond me.
     
  13. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    Neil

    This feels like a cheap shot at those who ran the A4 dates this spring . Ultimately no one ever pretended that the SVR could represent the ECML , but it was the opportunity to put 4464 on the teak set (which hadn't been seen for the best part of 70 years ) that was the draw . Given that 3 days were filled , and my day faster than anything i've organised in 15 years of running charters says to me that we were spot on to run those events .

    I used to just do preserved line running , playing russian roulette with all the factors that could conspire against an image (and almost certainly did) . doing charters has significantly broadened my collection of images , improved my composition no end , met a lot of fellow photographers and volunteers on the railways and shared many a laugh with them , as well as enjoying some magnificent railway experiences . Yes my wallet may be poorer but would I do it all again .... of course
     
  14. Neil_Scott

    Neil_Scott Part of the furniture

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    Where have I said that it wasn't a worthwhile experience for you Martin? I'm sure running charters is very pleasurable. It's not surprising that you and Ian have over-reacted to my post.

    Charters are sold as being the only way to re-create certain scenes and the A4 blew that out of the water. I'm sure everyone had a good time but I'd be wary of anyone wanting to go on charters who thinks they're getting something 'just like it used to be'.
     
  15. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    err Neil , are you also not over reacting . None of us go out to "recreate just like it used to be" . There are events which are much closer (if only for a 1/250 second) and there are events that are more for the fun of it. A charter significantly increases your odds of getting some great images of loco's and railways . As far the A4 went it was sold as the A4 on the teak set . We got three glorious days of sun , footplate rides , walking through the corridor tender and some cracking images

    [​IMG]
    Borle streak #2 by Martin Creese, on Flickr

    [​IMG]
    Bewdley Arrival by Martin Creese, on Flickr
     
  16. Neil_Scott

    Neil_Scott Part of the furniture

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    An A4 on the Teak set can only be imagined as one thing: An A4 on the ECML. How many A4s ran over GW branch lines hauling teaks?

    The point I'm making to the person who has never been on a chater before is that be careful what you're getting sold. If you want to re-create scenes from the past then be careful with what is on offer.
     
  17. Spamcan81

    Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

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    No organiser pretends that an A4 on teaks at the SVR, or NYMR come to that, is the ECML in the 1930s and the charters were never advertised on that basis but since it's impossible to recreate the ECML are you suggesting that these events should be organised? All we advertised was an blue A4 on varnished teak stock and nothing more than that. The fact that all three days were sold out weeks before the event says to me that we were providing just what the photographers wanted, a 1930s ere LNER express train albeit it alien surroundings. More importantly though was the fact that the heritage movement made money out of the events and a number of projects are now a little bit closer to completion as a result. Can't see anything wrong with that. If charters were restricted to recreating it exactly how it was then very few would run although there are a few exceptions of course. If anyone is overreacting, I'd argue it's you by hinting that we are less than honest with our advertising. Anyway, nobody's forcing you to attend them so feel free to ignore future invites.
     
  18. Neil_Scott

    Neil_Scott Part of the furniture

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    There's a fantastic contradiction within that post. I've said my piece, however.

    I hope the chap who is going to start attending charters has a good time doing so and takes some nice shots.
     
  19. forty

    forty Member

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    Ignoring the argumental postings, charters do give you unique access to stock, locations & loco's not normally available on a 'normal' running day at a particular railway. I would thoroughly recommend the experience of a day out with like minded individuals. As to the recreation as it used to be, it never really happens, there's always something someone can pick out as not quite right, BUT a close proximity in some cases give some super timeless images.
     
  20. Spamcan81

    Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

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    Thankyou for your perspective on this. The only way to find out what a charter is like is to attend one. It's not for everyone but many people enjoy them and equally as important they raise match needed funds for the heritage movement.
     

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