Michael McNicholas was possibly the ultimate Calder Valley Line railway photographer, certainly in terms of quantity. He was out most days somewhere along it's length and Todmorden was a place he visited very frequently.

He also photted on the Copy Pit line a fair bit - certainly far more than me. I was too scared that I would miss stuff on the main Calder Valley route!

I hope you enjoy the photos as much as I do.

Mick haunted the Calder Valley line and nowhere more than Hebden Bridge, as he lived there. He was usually to be found round and about whatever the weather and if he didn't intend to go anywhere else, Hebden Bridge was where he gravitated to.

By doing this he didn't miss a great deal and as these photos hopefully show, he managed to capture workings that were very special, apart from the every-day freight traffic which has now sadly all but disappeared from the line.

Mytholmroyd was probably Michael's favourite Calder Valley location.

It was he who discovered the superb position just east of the station which gave a lovely sweeping view in both directions. He spent hours keeping the vegetation down and he introduced me to to it also. It's perhaps there that I'll best remember him.

Despite the fact that many of these photos are taken in the same place, I hope they're of interest because they show many different locos and trains, all of which have now disappeared.

Luddendenfoot and Sowerby Bridge came in for a fair bit of Mick's attention also, especially the latter. It was only a ten minute train journey from his home in Hebden Bridge and there were some great shots to be had - all sadly now either gone completely or much changed. Apparently he didn't visit Elland much as I've only found one shot!

Michael visited Leeds a fair amount as it was just a short train journey away. He covered Halifax fairly well too, having the foresight to take first-generation DMUs there as well as Rugby supporters specials. He also found his way to Dryclough Junction about 20 years before me! I first photted there in 2007!

Mirfield was one of Mick's favourite places as it was there that the Calder Valley and Standedge routes met, meaning that it was very busy with both freight and Trans Pennine expresses. He, like me, liked being where the action was so there are a good number of shots taken in and around Mirfield.

The Heaton to Manchester Red Bank Sidings Newspaper empties started running back in steam days. I remember it coming past my school with all sorts of motive power at the front - usually double-headed, and literally anything could turn up.

By the time Mick and I started taking photos motive power was slightly more predictable, being either a single-headed Peak, a Class 31 or a Class 47.

It was still a great train to photograph though and it was a very sad day when BR lost the newspaper traffic in 1989.

Mick captured the Red Bank very frequently and herein are the results.

Manchester Victoria was another of Mick's favourite haunts and he spent lots of time there. The old station was full of character and was very busy with loads of freight and loco-hauled passenger services.

The presence nearby of Red Bank Sidings also made it the place to be to see Newspaper and Parcels workings.

Michael also used to like Smithy Bridge and Gale, near Littleborough. Both are on the Calder Valley main line and both are easily reached by train.

Mick visited Cornwall times without number as he took at least one holiday a year there - sometimes as many as three.

Travelling down by train, he usually stayed in Penzance, in a B & B near the station and he used that as a base to travel to many different locations. Lostwithiel was a particular favourite.

I think these photos are great. I hope you agree.

For all that Mick went up the S & C most weekends for steam I haven't found many decent modern image photos taken on it. What I have found will find it's way on to here over the course of time. Most of the shots feature West Coast diversions and charters.

Michael visited Scotland on at least three different occasions and penetrated as far as Thurso & Wick, thus beating my humble efforts, by a considerable margin, as I only ever got as far north as Perth!

Despite travelling by train, he managed to produce some superb shots, which are displayed here.

Mick spent a fair bit of time at York over the years and also the area between Copmanthorpe, Bolton Percy & Church Fenton.

The results are depicted herein.

Mick visited the West Coast main line a fair bit. He especially used to frequent Preston station which he could get to easily by train from Hebden Bridge, so there will be a lot of shots taken there. Other locations will feature too, including Greenholme, Acton Bridge and Winwick.

This collection contains photos taken in locations that Mick only visited once or twice so they don't justify a geographically based collection of their own.