Dave Hewitt – författare

Railways were born in this region and today volunteers work on heritage lines to showcase all aspects of the railways in this rich and varied area. South of the River Tyne, the long-established Tanfield Railway recreates authentic scenes from the industrial past alongside its historical neighbour, the Bowes Railway, which has the only remaining rope-hauled line in the country. The Beamish Museum takes the visitor back in time to 1825, 1913 and the 1950s, the attractions including railways of the period on three different sections of track. Whilst at Shildon, which was on the original Stockton to Darlington line, an offshoot of the National Railway Museum has been developed on the site of the old wagon works and hosted the ‘Great Gathering’ of the six remaining A4 Pacifics.All these lines and museums are explored here through stunning photographs that capture a bygone age in a variety of settings, both pastoral and industrial.

Dave Hewitt has made many trips to the United States and Canada over the last twenty years, including visits to thirty-five of the fifty US states. Inspired by North American railways, he quickly switched from tourist to train and track photographer. In this book he shares images from a wide variety of steam and heritage railway sites and museums across the continent. These pages document his journey from the deserts of Utah to the magnificence of the Canadian Rockies, from the green fields of Wisconsin to the towering Giant Redwoods of California. Showcasing a railfan’s trip of a lifetime, Dave Hewitt’s stunning photographs will appeal to all those with an interest in heritage railways and the spectacular landscapes of North America.

In 2025 the Tanfield Railway in County Durham celebrates its 300th anniversary, having been constructed in 1725 as a wagonway to carry coal from the North Durham coalfields to the River Tyne. By the 1960s it was in the hands of British Railways before volunteers took over early the following decade. Since that time the heritage railway has developed as a centre for the preservation of industrial locomotives, which operate over a 3-mile section from East Tanfield to Sunniside. Notable locations along the route include Causey Arch, the first bridge built to carry a railway in 1726, and Marley Hill, the oldest continuously operating engine shed, built in 1854. Although constructed for the transportation of coal, passenger trains now run regularly for visitors on Sundays, between March and October, and in December, the North Pole Express takes eager children to visit Father Christmas. Train enthusiasts are also catered for with demonstration coal trains and an annual gala weekend. All these events are possible due to the efforts of a dedicated group of volunteers of all ages who ensure that traditional skills are passed from one generation to the next.Henry Elliott and Dave Hewitt illustrate Tanfield’s story as a heritage railway with stunning photographs and informative captions.

Since Dave Hewitt’s first road trip to the United States in 2006 he has always tried to return to North America at least once a year to photograph trains. Not just trains, though, but trains embedded in the landscape. The North American continent is so vast and the scenery so varied that endless opportunities arise for a man in a car with a map and a camera. Here, he presents his impressions of American and Canadian railroads, from British Columbia to California, from Ontario to Oregon, all showcasing wonderful panoramas and spectacular vistas. A wealth of stunning images is coupled with amusing anecdotes and intriguing insights, summing up the adventures to be had as an English railfan in North America.

The North East of England has a long history of coal mining, ship building and heavy industry, all set within the beautiful landscapes of Northumberland and Durham. Today volunteers work on the heritage lines in the region to showcase all aspects of the railways in this rich and varied area. The Aln Valley Railway is working to restore the branch line from the main line at Alnmouth to Alnwick, bringing tourists from the ‘Coast to the Castle’. North Tyneside Steam Railway operates on the old test track for the Tyne and Wear Metro system and incorporates the Stephenson Museum, whilst the South Tynedale Railway aims to replace the standard track from Alston to Haltwhistle with a narrow-gauge line running through the glorious North Pennines. The Heatherslaw Light Railway, the result of one man’s passion for trains, can also be found in Northumberland. Though not a heritage line, it can claim to be the most northerly steam line in England. In County Durham the Weardale Railway has restored the track from Bishop Auckland to Stanhope and runs a regular DMU service for locals, which enables access to the National Rail network.All these lines are explored here through stunning photographs that capture a bygone age in a variety of settings, both pastoral and industrial.

Following on from An English Railfan in America and North American Traction, Dave Hewitt delves into his archive for more photographs from his road trip days. As well as revisiting favourite locations in the United States and Canada, there are images from many previously unseen locations, including Duluth, Minnesota, to Dubuque, Iowa, and Sandpoint, Idaho, to Steamtown, Pennsylvania. He also illustrates little-known heritage railways and museums from Green Bay, Wisconsin, to the Alberta Prairie Railroad, Stettler. Combining his renowned high-quality photographs with insights on life on the road, this volume completes Dave’s ‘American Trilogy’.