Richard Irwin - Photoblog
Yr Wyddfa Mountain Railway
Posted by Richard Irwin (Belper, United Kingdom) on 19 August 2008 in Transportation.
This image is from half way up Mount Snowdon in the country of Wales (the Welsh name for the mountain is Yr Wyddfa). The railway has run these steam trains up to the summit since 1896.
I was lucky enough to be in Snowdonia all last week, and so the next few photographs are all of mountain scenes.
Kylie Greenan from Richmond, Australia
What a beautiful image, such joy, the old steam train, the countryside, the late afternoon sun, just wonderful Richard, well done!
19 Aug 2008 5:31am
@Kylie Greenan: Thanks, it was well worth the 10km climb up.
Calusarus from St Sorlin en Valloire, France
Impressive ! With such colors and sharpen, I almost wonder if it is a actual train, or a toy…
19 Aug 2008 5:45am
@Calusarus: Thanks, these little steam trains do have a kind of toy like appearance, the route up the mountain must be a fun job for the driver, I bet they love every minute of every day.
Zing from Hamilton, New Zealand
Great contrast, love the red colour of the train against the green.
19 Aug 2008 6:10am
Erik from Amersfoort, Netherlands
wow, that's amazing, they stil use it, must be so cool to take a ride.. love the green hills...
19 Aug 2008 6:43am
Observing from West Cheshire, United Kingdom
Tremendous shot Richard, everything nice and sharp, and you have got the mountains perfectly..!
19 Aug 2008 7:34am
Cia from Kvänum, Sweden
Wonderful landscape and the nature is amazing! Must go to UK some day!
19 Aug 2008 8:13am
@Cia: If you do, head to the west for landscapes like this. North Wales is my personal favorite, as it has a bit of everything, but its followed by Cornwall if you like rugged coastlines and blue seas, and the west Coast of Scotland for higher mountains but also coral beaches.
GJC from Kyoto, Japan
Great colors! I also like the nice light and good exposure and the crop of the mountains is good.
19 Aug 2008 10:59am
bm from Budapest, Hungary
what a beautiful scenery. i like how you made the hills in the background the main item in this shot (at least for me), the train being a nice and colorful addition.
19 Aug 2008 1:37pm
@bm: Thanks, it wasn't an easy exposure, as the clouds and sunshine were having a battle for supremacy, but the train passed at just the right time, a few seconds later it went totally grey.
shahab from Qazvin, Iran
Beautiful shot!Nicely captured!Waiting for the rest of you shots...
19 Aug 2008 1:51pm
Lorraine from Gatineau, Canada
I am so happy to know that, I love trains, I love mountains, I find this photo so amazing...you should do just that, take photos, share, make people dream and be happy, while being financially supported like a King for the pleasure you bring...there I've said it!
19 Aug 2008 2:44pm
@Lorraine: Great comment. I'm still searching for a way to make money out of that kind of life. If I discover a way, I'll let you in on the secret..
Rui from Leiria, Portugal
That's a fantastic shot. The country side and an old train. Nice light and colors. The composition is great.
19 Aug 2008 3:24pm
Rags from Plano, United States
That is such a cool view! What does Yr Wyddfa mean?
19 Aug 2008 4:44pm
@Rags: At the very top of the mountain is supposed to be a tumulus or burial mound. It is reputed to be the grave of a fierce giant called Rhita Fawr. He made a coat from the beards of every king he slaughtered. Yr Wyddfa means Burial Mound in welsh.
Damon Schreiber from Toronto, Canada
Beautiful image. Looks like a great place to visit.
19 Aug 2008 4:52pm
MaryB from Staffordshire, United Kingdom
Looking forward to seeing this series Richard, a wonderful view of the train and the beautiful scenery beyond.
19 Aug 2008 5:46pm
Pierre Olivier from Brussels, Belgium
Wow! I love this picture...could be in Peru or some far country...thanks!
19 Aug 2008 7:19pm
@Pierre Olivier: Thanks, Wales is a remarkably beautiful country.
Anne from White Rock, Canada
Oh! I love mountains and trains! Wonderful landscape, colour, detail, everything! :-)
19 Aug 2008 8:55pm
Sylvia from Netherlands
This is an amazing photo. The landscape and colors are beautiful. It almost looks unreal.
19 Aug 2008 10:01pm
dj.tigersprout from San Bruno, CA, United States
wow! where were you standing? how come you are not on the train? ;) a wonderful view -- such brilliant color here! and those hills are just impressive!
19 Aug 2008 10:20pm
amy from Nanaimo, BC, Canada
Great shot, Richard!! Love the background for the old steam engine... it's so incredible. But I need to know the pronunciation of that place. Welsh is such an amazing language with the way they use the alphabet. Don't know which worse... Welsh or Irish? LOL!!
20 Aug 2008 3:53am
Earnest from Oklahoma, United States
Beautiful country, Richard... great capture!
20 Aug 2008 11:11pm
