Snow on the line. Fire breathing dragons in ice cold air. The best time to see them exuding their power. The sight, sounds and smells of heritage steam in the snow.

As ever, the icy cold weather freezes your extremities so working with a super zoom lens is a must to avoid having to change lenses with frozen fingers.

On a still cold day like this smoke goes straight up into the heavens as the fire is stoked to build up a head of steam in readiness for departure

Dull days with even, diffused lighting caused by light reflected by the snow, gives rises to super saturated colours in the pictures.

It's only when you get close up to a moving engine that you realise just how big and powerful they are.

There is something so purposeful about this particular locomotive with its tender 'running light' against a perfect winter backdrop. It just just says, "Steam railway" doesn't it? It really speaks to me.

The engine letting off steam in the frosty air as it takes off on its departure from the station. With the 'chuff' of smoke from the chimney stack adding to the drama it makes for a spectacular scene you simply don't get in warmer weather.

It's an impressive sight seeing a steam locomotive heading straight towards you at speed. Of course it's all an illusion caused by the use of the long telephoto end of the super zoom I was using and the position of where I was standing relative to the points on the line. The snow of course all adds to the drama.

Snow on the line. A fun, if chilly, day out.