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.