Powered by Steam, Heart and History
Hollycombe Steam In The Country
Some projects feel more like a homecoming than a commission — and for me, that was certainly the case with Hollycombe Steam in the Country.
In 2024, the team at Hollycombe put out a call for help photographing their annual Mega Model Show, one of the key events in the calendar for this incredible living museum. As soon as I saw it, I knew I wanted to be involved. Hollycombe holds a special place in my heart — it’s somewhere I visited many times with my parents and grandparents as a child, so it brought back fond memories.
Mega Model Show
Answering the call wasn’t just a professional decision — it was personal. And it felt good to give something back to this amazing charitable trust, which is lovingly maintained by volunteers and enthusiasts.
The day of the Mega Model Show was a joy to photograph. Miniature working models of vintage fairground rides, model traction engines and detailed railway layouts were all on display — an absolute dream for anyone who loves craft, engineering and heritage. While on site, I met Robert, the event organiser — and, as fate would have it, we quickly realised we’d been in the same year at Bohunt School. A small-world moment that made the day all the more special.
Liphook Signal Box
Later in the year, I was honoured to be asked back to photograph the opening ceremony of the Liphook signal box, a stunning piece of railway history that had been painstakingly restored. Believed to be over 100 years old, the Liphook signal box is now a gleaming part of the Hollycombe collection, restored with care by the volunteer team through window replacements, paintwork and structural repair. The box is expected to be submitted for a heritage award, and I’m proud that my photography plays a small role in helping showcase its transformation.
Working with Hollycombe wasn’t just about documenting steam, wood and iron — it was about connection, memory and preserving the magic for future generations. It was a genuine privilege to be involved.
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