Great Western Railway calendar inspires adventure as it captures the region in all its glory

Whether you’re captivated by the special south-west events included each month, or enchanted by our beautiful destinations, this calendar will make you want to board a train and start your next exciting journey.

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GWR Sales and Marketing Director, Amanda Burns, said:

“Our 2024 Great Western Railway Calendar features some truly breath-taking images and we’re sure it will become a wanted item on many people’s Christmas lists.

“As well as the stunning photography, we’ve included dates for some of the biggest events across the network, ensuring you’ve got time to start planning some exciting days out – taking a GWR train there and back, of course!”

JANUARY

Saltash-based drone enthusiast Scott Fisher captured this Castle Class passing over the Royal Albert Bridge, spanning the River Tamar between Plymouth in Devon and Saltash, Cornwall.

Scott, of Cornish Drone Photography, said: “I got into landscape and drone photography about three years ago. It was a beautiful sunrise, so I had to grab a picture of the HST coming over Brunel’s iconic bridge.”

FEBRUARY

Award-winning photographer Jack Boskett captured the celebrations in full swing at Okehampton as the station welcomed its first passenger train for more than 50 years as part of the government’s Restoring Your Railway programme.

Jack, from Gloucestershire, said: “It was important to capture the feel of the event and also illustrate that it was an official opening, all in one shot. I think this photograph achieved it.”

MARCH

Jack also contributed this image, taken from the bridge on Bath Road looking through towards Bristol Temple Meads.

“I like the detail of the bridge – the fact you can count all the nuts – and the ironwork gave me the impression of an eye. So, it was like looking through something old to something new and the modern Intercity Express Trains.”

APRIL

A team of Great Western Railway engineers took to the track to test one of the most enduring theories surrounding Brunel’s iconic Box Tunnel just outside of Bath.

It is believed that Brunel deliberately designed the two-mile-long Box Tunnel so that every year on his birthday – 9 April – the rising sun would shine directly through from one end to the other, creating an astonishing effect. Capturing the moment was Adam Scott.

MAY

Jack Boskett took up a vantage point from Newport Castle to capture a Class 166 crossing Usk Railway Bridge.

“I just liked the idea of photographing a modern train from such an historic landmark, and the reflections in the river complete the overall image,” he said.

JUNE

Exeter-based Bart Sadecki has been passionate about photography since the age of 11 and likes to capture the beauty of Devon and its stunning sunsets.

“I was standing on the bridge next to River Clyst Viaduct. Upon hearing the approaching train, I grabbed my camera and waited in anticipation. My goal was to not only capture the train but also to showcase the breath-taking backdrop of the Exe Estuary,” he said.

JULY

A special journey as Intercity Express Train 800003 crosses Maidenhead Viaduct, making its way to Slough to carry the late Queen Elizabeth II onward to London Paddington.

Ken Brunt was perfectly placed to capture the moment, which marked 175 years since Queen Victoria became the first monarch to travel by train.

AUGUST

Railway photographer Antony Christie is renowned for his shots of trains travelling through some of the south-west’s most picturesque landmarks. This one of a Class 150, with the stunning Carbis Bay as its backdrop, is one of his most iconic.

He said: “It’s such a nice part of the world because you can not only ride the train, but there’s also some nice walks right alongside the branch line. There are so many positions where you can stop to get some great pictures.”

SEPTEMBER

Great Western Railway teamed up with The Mousetrap in 2023 to celebrate Agatha Christie’s most famous play and her love of train travel.

Matt Crockett captured this cast member boarding a train at London Paddington as part of a series of photos taken to mark The Mousetrap’s 70th anniversary.

OCTOBER

Autumnal colours dominate in this shot by Jack Boskett as an Intercity Express Train crosses the River Avon at Evesham.

Jack is a regular visitor to the area as an enthusiast with the Evesham Vale Light Railway and said: “I’ve always wanted to take this shot in the autumn as the colours are so much more vibrant. I like it because the train is very much in the centre of the landscape.”

NOVEMBER

Bridgend-based Harry Chatham developed an interest in railway photography in 2020 and was at Cardiff Central Station to capture this spellbinding image.

“It’s taken from Platform 4 and shows a stationary GWR Intercity Express Train on its way to London, waiting for the Transport for Wales 170 with the light trails to clear the block ahead,” he said.

DECEMBER

Timing was everything for Jack Boskett as he captured an Intercity Express Train emerging from the iconic Box Tunnel, heading towards Bath and Bristol from London.

He said: “It looks very festive but, if I’m honest, it was a very opportunistic moment because the snow only lasted about 30 minutes and very soon it was gone.”