l Photographer Matt Allen has had his collection of steam train photos published

Photographer Matt Allen is a happy snapper now that his book of local steam train photographs has been published.

His new book, The Mid Hants Railway, part of the Railway Moods collection, uses local knowledge and unrestricted access to the railway to take readers on a journey of the Mid Hants Railway's Watercress Line.

It features 144 stunning colour photographs capturing the seasons, people, stations and locomotives of the Alton to Alresford service.

Mr Allen, 36, from South Ham, Basingstoke, said: "I looked through photography books of steam trains and thought I could do better than that'.

"I contacted a publisher and asked them if they would be interested in a book about the Watercress Line.

"They got back to me after six months when I'd forgotten about it and asked if it could be done in a month. It took a lot of work but to see it published made me chuffed to bits."

Mr Allen spends his weekends across the country taking photographs of steam trains.

He said: "I developed a real passion as a youngster because my father was a steam train operator.

"I don't know how my wife puts up with it. We have booked two holidays and they're both to visit trains and take photographs. I would love to make more books in the future."

Anyone wanting to buy the book should visit www.mattallenphoto.co.uk or call Mr Allen on 07766 502096.

10:31am Wednesday 22nd August 2007

Print

Email this