Malcolm has been involved with the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway for some 20 years and can often be found as Station Master - a job that is very much in the front line, looking after our visitors.  But as a Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society, he is also an extremely accomplished photographer, his work appearing in a number of railway and other transport titles as well as in his own books.  One of the books he is most proud of is his excellent 'Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway' (available from the Toddington station shop).  Other titles include profiles of traction engines and commercial vehicles.  

He thinks the railway's greatest achievement is the way it is managing its 'present adversities' and if he had a windfall, he reveals that he would contribute towards the Chicken Curve repair bills (after he had paid for his Ferrari and his traction engine, of course…!   

Naturally, the pictures are by our subject himself!

My business card if I had one, would say

Stationmaster!

I first got interested in railways because:

In the 1970s a couple of colleagues at work were railway enthusiasts, particularly interested in steam and eventually their enthusiasm rubbed off.  Allied to my then interest in photography and the 'downward spiral' commenced!  Up to then,of course, railways and even steam traction in the 1960s had been just another form of transport.

A typical run-down of what I do for the railway is:

I have been a volunteer for upwards of twenty years now and my main interest has always been fixed on the operational side.  I started out as a Booking Office Clerk, then progressed to Stationmaster, a position I have now held for many years.  I was also in at the beginning of the administrative team, then called the 'communications team' and actually ran it a few years back.  Now though, I am an ordinary member, answering the phone, sorting queries and emails, dealing with the public and everything else that goes with a frontline job!

I was prompted to get involved with the GWSR because:

Many members will remember Bob Unitt.  I and others helped Bob with the then Stratford Group meetings but I'm not involved with that any more because of my photography interests.  At the time I worked for a local authority in a senior capacity which meant that my time was limited but in the late-80s/early-90s I decided to follow Bob, who was a Stationmaster.  That's when I trained as a Booking Office Clerk. 

In those days staff training was not as structured as it is now and after a year or two, I suggested to Colin Dymock (then, as now, Chief Stationmaster) that I would be interested in moving up the ladder.  A week or two later, Colin informed me I was rostered as Toddington Stationmaster! Certainly, in at the deep end!

Taking early retirement in 1997 meant I could expand my involvement and I have since then mainly taken up mid-week rosters.

I first got involved with photography:

I have been an enthusiastic photographer since the 1960s but in those early days, not railways.  I have always been interested in all forms of transport and in the 60s it was motorcycle and car sport. I joined Stratford Photographic Society in the 1970s,and am still a member. 

My railway photography really started in the late-70s as, prompted by my work colleagues, my interest in steam railway preservation flourished.  I also enjoy photographing steam traction engines, classic commercial vehicles, canals - indeed all forms of classic transport.  I also have a press pass for Mortons Heritage Media.

The thing I like most about our railway is:

The camaraderie of an all-volunteer run railway.

The thing I like least:

When I first started the job seemed more fun!  But as we expanded and then faced the recent adversities much of that fun has disappeared.  That's not a criticism of course, simply an observation.  But no doubt the fun will come back as we progress!

I think the greatest achievement of our railway is:  

I initially considered our greatest achievement was the successful policy of expansion to Cheltenham and then the push to Broadway.  But on reflection, I feel our response to the current adversities has much to commend it.

My real job was:

Up to early retirement at 51 in 1997 I was Audit Manager at Warwick District Council.  Mind you, many colleagues considered me to be a full-time railway photographer and part-time local government officer!  Most unfair!  But perhaps that's why I was retired … just a thought!

I always read (newspapers or magazines):

I don't bother with newspapers these days, the television and the internet has replaced them.  But do take several railway magazines and other transport related publications.

The headline I would most like to read in the media is:

"The first through train from Toddington to Cheltenham Race Course for some time ran today"

My favourite railway company / operator is or was:  

Don't really have one on 'big brother', but I do quite like the way Adrian Shooter runs Chiltern Railways.

My favourite locomotive class is:

Am I allowed two?  Firstly on the standard gauge it has to be a GWR/BR 'Manor' class.  A beautifully proportioned locomotive and versatile as well as useful on preserved lines.

Secondly, on the narrow gauge it has to be the Victorian/Edwardian Beyer Peacocks on the Isle of Man Railways.  These really are the absolutely classic British-built engines.

The best railway photograph I have taken is:

I don't really have one, but images taken in the winter especially with heavy frost or snow are top of the pile.

The photograph I would most like to take (past, present or future):

I wish I had a time machine, so I could return to the days of steam with modern photographic equipment!

If I was lucky enough, I would invest a £1 million windfall on:

If I am honest I would spend it on buying some things I have never been able to afford like a steam traction engine - probably an Aveling & Porter or Burrell Tractor.  Or perhaps a Ferrari sports car!  But if it was spare, I would like to make sure the Chicken Curve slip would be fixed.

If I wasn't involved with the Honeybourne Line or taking photographs, I would probably:

I must say I don't really like our line being called the Honeybourne Line.  Isn't  Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway good enough? Anyway I have always been interested in motor and motorcycle sport, or ball sports like cricket especially (I am a member at Warwickshire CCC) so would probably be following them more than I do now.

In other spare time I also enjoy:

I have many interests, but not the time and money to pursue them!  However, I collect railwayana and other transport memorabilia; enjoy watching sport; general photography and I love collecting books and reading.

My greatest achievement is:

With my interest in books, becoming an author of transport related titles!  I'm especially pleased with the Gloucestershire Warwickshire volume.  I am now on my eighth title!  Secondly, obtaining the Fellowship of the Royal Photographic Society in 2000 was marvellous!

My biggest regret is:  

Whilst being old enough to do so, not becoming a railway enthusiast early enough to photograph steam before it disappeared from our railways.

What my family thinks of my railway interest:

Being single I can please myself, but my brother thinks I'm barmy!

In ten years' time I think the railway:

Will have reached Broadway and beyond.

No-one on the railway knows this about me, but:

I have supported Wolverhampton Wanderers FC since a lad due in part to having a great-aunt in Wolverhampton years ago.  I used to visit Molyneux regularly for matches but these days I am an armchair supporter and only follow results in the media.