Powered by Steam, Heart and History
Hollycombe Steam In The Country, Liphook
Capturing a Vibrant Weekend of Steam and Model Engineering
Some projects feel more like a homecoming than a commission — and for me, Hollycombe Steam in the Country’s Mega Model Weekend was exactly that.
Mega Model Show
In 2024, the Hollycombe team put out a call for help photographing their annual Mega Model Show, one of the key attractions in the museum’s calendar. 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, so stepping back onto the site brought back a flood of memories.
Answering that call wasn’t just a professional decision; it was personal. And it felt good to give something back to this incredible charitable trust, a place lovingly maintained by volunteers, enthusiasts and a community who keep heritage alive for future generations.
Documenting the Mega Model Weekend Experience
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 filled the grounds, an absolute dream for anyone who loves engineering, craft and heritage attractions.
Events like this are a fantastic example of the kind of visitor experiences Sequoia Studios specialises in capturing for hospitality venues, food festivals and heritage attractions throughout Surrey, Hampshire and West Sussex.
While on site, I met Robert, the event organiser and, in true small-world fashion, we quickly realised we’d been in the same year at Bohunt School. A lovely surprise that made the day feel even more meaningful.
“Helpful, talented and great to work with. Marlon captured the essence of our marvellous steam museum and gave us just what we needed for our marketing promotion. Highly recommend.”
Liphook Signal Box
The Restoration of the De-Commissioned Liphook Signal Box
Later in the year, I was honoured to be invited back to photograph the opening ceremony of the newly restored Liphook signal box, a beautiful piece of railway history believed to be over 100 years old. The volunteer team had restored it with care, replacing windows, repainting the entire structure and repairing key elements of the frame.
The box is expected to be submitted for a heritage award and I’m proud that my photography plays a small part in helping tell its story and celebrate the dedication behind its restoration.
Preserving Heritage Through Photography
Working with Hollycombe was about more than documenting steam, wood and iron. It was about connection, memory and capturing the atmosphere of a place that means so much to so many.
This project blended personal history with professional purpose, exactly the kind of storytelling and visual work I love to do for museums, heritage sites, visitor attractions and hospitality events across the UK.
See more of our recent photography commissions.
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