Martin Welch

Martin joined the Society in 2003. He started to photograph railways at aged 12 using a primitive Coronet camera. Fortunately his school playing fields were beside the local line in Macclesfield, and his father was a coal merchant near the station in the adjoining goods yard, to which access was available. Added to this was an inherited Trix Twin OO model railway layout and Meccano sets to further fuel his railway interests. At the age of 16 he upgraded to a nice pocket size Ensign Selfix camera, 16 shots on a 120 roll film. Martin eventually became a civil engineer working for British Railways on the London Midland Region mainly at Euston and Manchester, involving much outdoor work down the line. More cameras followed namely Zeiss Ikontas, Rolleicord, Rolliflex and Mamiya for large format work. In 1958 to take colour slides in 35mm format a Kodak Retinette was purchased followed by a Practika and various Pentax cameras.

Martin has been involved with a number of preserved railways, particularly the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, in providing civil engineering advice. Belonging to various photographic clubs has helped to develop knowledge and skills such as good composition and improving darkroom work. Belonging to the RCTS and the SLS has allowed access to rail depot and works sites. In 2008, Martin went into digital photography, becoming the owner of a Nikon D60.

Martin Welch

All images in this gallery © Martin Welch