I began taking railway pictures in the mid 1960s whilst still at school. The first camera I used was ancient, and the prints from the local chemists shop were dreadful. Then I started working at the Birtley Royal Ordnance Factory in 1966, in the metallurgical laboratory. My boss was a good photographer and he put me to work in the laboratory darkroom where he taught me how to develop film, and print photographs to a good standard. I was also allowed to process my own output.

Contents: Rail images from 1966 and now just my general photographic output as a record. All Images are © Bill Watson.

I made a number of scans from Neville Stead's railway negatives collection in 2011. Those that are featured, are noted as such. My Avatar is that of Nicholas Morant who, was a photographer for the Canadian Pacific Railway. A big hero of mine.