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Rutland man publishes new collection of works by Cheshire railway photographer Eric Oldham




The unseen work of a prominent railway photographer has been published in a new book by his protogee.

John Hillier, from Barrowden, has published The Eric Oldham Legacy Collection (Silver Link Publishing) which features many largely unseen photographs that he produced from the 1940s through to the 1980s.

Eric’s photos and paintings of the golden age of steam inspired John to take a keen interest in railways and photography as a boy.

John describes the book as a labour of love
John describes the book as a labour of love
Author John Hillier developed an interest in the railway when growing up
Author John Hillier developed an interest in the railway when growing up

John grew up in the Cheshire town of Hyde, where Eric ran a baker’s business and got to know him by visiting his shop.

“He went to art college, but had to give that up to join the family bakery business,” said John.

“I call him a master photographer, a master baker and a master artist because he was all of those things.”

Eric's collection spanned the big changes in British railways from steam to electrification. Photo courtesy of Sir John Oldham OBE
Eric's collection spanned the big changes in British railways from steam to electrification. Photo courtesy of Sir John Oldham OBE
Eric Oldham's photo of a steam train approaching Stoke Tunnel after leaving Grantham
Eric Oldham's photo of a steam train approaching Stoke Tunnel after leaving Grantham

John, who is secretary of the Railway Photographic Society and was a founder member of Stamford and Rutland Photographic Society, became concerned about the negatives from Eric’s collection after his death in 2008.

After two years of searching, he discovered they were with his nephew, Sir John Oldham.

“We both decided that Eric’s work needed a wider audience,” said John.

Eric captured this image of an A4 Pacific steam locomotive. Photo courtesy of Sir John Oldham OBE
Eric captured this image of an A4 Pacific steam locomotive. Photo courtesy of Sir John Oldham OBE
Eris took this photo at Peterborough station
Eris took this photo at Peterborough station

“He gave me complete access to Eric’s collection of pictures and photographs and this book is the result.”

John has produced three previous books on railway photography for publishers Silver Link and admits this took a little longer than expected.

“Eric made very few notes so part of the task was to identify where they were taken,” he explained.

An atmospheric station shot. Photo courtesy of Sir John Oldham OBE
An atmospheric station shot. Photo courtesy of Sir John Oldham OBE
Eric Oldham trained at art college and produced many paintings as well as photos. Picture courtesy of Sir John Oldham OBE
Eric Oldham trained at art college and produced many paintings as well as photos. Picture courtesy of Sir John Oldham OBE

“It’s been a labour of love and probably taken longer than it should have done.”

John is currently organising the second Young Railway Photographer of the Year competition which will form an exhibition at the National Railway Museum, in York, as part of its Railway 200 celebrations.

The book is available in hardback for £35 from https://mortonsbooks.co.uk/book/pre-order-book-the-eric-oldham-legacy-collection



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