Having lived and worked in Cumbria for the past 40 years, it was almost inevitable that on his retirement, Alan would renew his long-standing interest and hobby in railways – made all the stronger by Cumbria’s long railway heritage.

Alan’s passion for railways started in early childhood and would later be reflected through his drawings and paintings, starting in earnest in the late 1970’s when Alan became an Associate Member of the Guild of Railway Artists. Examples of his work were subsequently exhibited at several Rail-Art shows, culminating in four paintings being included in the Guild’s first book; The Great Western Collection. 

In 1986 Alan was invited to submit two paintings to the By Land, Air and Sea art exhibition in Bath, which brought together the Guilds of Maritime, Aviation and Railway artists. Although both works sold to good collections, Alan put his painting career on hold until his retirement in 2016.    

Since then, Alan’s work has included book jackets, railway posters and greeting cards – in a variety of mediums for a wide range of clients. In 2015 he became an active volunteer member of the Stainmore (Heritage) Railway in Kirkby Stephen – a further source of artistic inspiration.

Being a railway artist, Alan says his primary objective has been to reflect both the social and physical dimensions of this compulsive subject and wherever possible – to strike a chord with the viewer. Alan’s exhibition opens on Saturday 22^nd March and continues until Monday 21^st April. For opening times visit www.theoldcourthouse.org

Alan will be at The Old Courthouse on Sat 22nd March 10.30am – 12.30 and Sunday 23^rd March 12 – 2.30pm to chat to visitors about his artwork and railway interests.

There is added interest for railway enthusiasts on Sunday 23^rd March as there will be showings of ‘Along LMS lines – Tebay to Shap Summit’  and ‘Along LMS lines – Shap to Carlisle’ at The Old Courthouse  and Shap Fell Model Transport Show is taking place in Shap Memorial Hall.