Railway Portraits Exhibition

Recently, I visited the Railway Portraits exhibition in the Newcastle Library Lovett Gallery.

There are a large number of the photos featured in the railway portraits series, some over 6 feet tall. Photos courtesy of Dave Shields.

While it was quiet, it is worth a look.

I was surprised at the quality of the very large prints, considering they were taken from 35mm negatives. Each print contains a caption and some a story well worth reading.

The real beauty of the photos these two young boys took, is that they were on a mission to record the essence of the NSWGR, one that has long since passed. The grime, hard work, and operations before we were shackled by regulations and rules. Somehow these photos revive memories for those of us who are older, and demonstrate how it was back then to younger generations.

Their contribution to the history of NSW is unique, and so different to those of us who photographed the trains, making sure we excluded everything else. If only we had known what the future would bring.

3138 on the level crossing at Adamstown commences its journey up to Kahibah and the Fernleigh tunnel on the Belmont line. Photo John  Gaydon

Still, for me, who travelled around at that time, riding on old, charming trains and occasionally in the cab, the books are nostalgic, to say the least. In some ways, I wish those days never ended.

3108 at the Sydney Cold Stores, near Jones Street Wharf, Darling Harbour. John Gaydon

I received a few more photos from the series. Some of these are in the exhibition. They all have considerable artistic merit. I trust you find them of interest.

If you are in Newcastle and have a spare hour, it would be well spent amongst the almost life size images of 38s and Garratts earning their keep in the way steam did for over a century.

If you would like a copy of Railway Portraits Vol 6, released in October 2024, or any of the other books in the series, you can click on this link.

Railway Portraits Exhibition

Lovett Gallery Newcastle Library

15 Laman Street
Newcastle NSW 2300

Monday to Saturday through to March 22, 2025.