The railways of the United Kingdom have undergone significant transformation in the past three decades. The infrastructure has been simplified with many stations reduced to little more than unmanned glorified bus shelters. Locomotives and coaches have given way to fixed formation train sets. The camaraderie once found in swathes of railway communities through the country is now harder to find, as is a career railwayman or woman.

The privatised, franchised railway has brought about much needed financial investment, modernisation and efficiencies driving a welcome growth in passenger numbers. But the layers of bureaucracy and the record levels of public subsidy sits uncomfortably alongside above-inflation fare increases and record train operating company profits.

The images below have all been taken in the past ten years and hopefully capture some of the colour, variety and rich spirit of British Railway heritage.