Railway Art Gallery

In this special section, we look at the work of a ex-Pat railway enthusiast who lives in Australia but just loves painting pictures of railway scenes. It is hoped that in future editions we may be able to

highlight the work of other lesser-known artistswho revel in portraying the beauty and majesty of railways. If you are an artist who would like to be featured or who knows someone who should be featured with their portrayal of the railways that we all love, then please let us know - Ed

Freight train driver wins landscape photography award

Freight train driver Dylan Nardini has been crowned this year’s Scottish Landscape Photographer of the Year. He won the overall prize with a portfolio of three images taken on the Isle of Arran, at Leadhills and Chatelherault Country Park in South Lanarkshire.

Mr Nardini said: “Knowing that the judges have seen something pleasing in my work is so flattering and has given me a huge boost in what has been a very tough year for so many. I’d like to thank my wife Louise, kids Gypsy and Martha for putting up with me going on about light everywhere we go and disappearing early on so many mornings, to hunt those little magical moments that highlight our beautiful country.”

The 47-year-old from Hamilton has been interested in photography since a young age, but says he developed his passion for landscapes through his work driving trains for the last 28 years.

(Top) Leadhills; (Above) Isle of Arran and (Right) Autumn colours at Chatelherault Country Park in another of Mr Nardini’s winning pictures

Mark Cox BA

Carmarthenshire artist Mark Cox is an eclectic artist who enjoys working on a variety of subjects, producing landscapes, marine and coastal paintings. He works in both oils and watercolours. Mark, who has been painting all his life, gained an honours degree in fine art at Trinity College, Carmarthen and values the skills and techniques that can only come from years of practice and experience.

He says, “I have been incredibly lucky in having had two modestly successful careers. Although I have been painting all my life, I only went full-time in 2003. I have no idea how many paintings I have painted in all, but I have sold more than one thousand one hundred of them. This has meant painting 5-6 days a week. I have thoroughly enjoyed this and have been lucky to meet some wonderful people both customers and other artists. My paintings have been bought by all groups of people from some very well-known personalities to a pair of children who wanted a painting for their mom at Christmas (not a profit in that one!). I have been supported in this by my good lady Alex who is a trained bespoke framer who has done

A Black 5 crossing the Bascule Bridge at Carmarthen

Another Black 5, this time on Washwood Heath, near Mark’s old house

Gwarchodwr Cymreig (Welsh Guardsman) one of the saddle tanks on the Gwili Railway

all my framing, run the business, exhibitions, tax..

I have blogged on pretty much a daily basis for 7 years. I hope that someone has enjoyed reading them. I have shown widely in Carmarthenshire, Bristol, Brecon, Newport, Dublin, Mid and South-West Wales, including Cardiff and the National Assembly for Wales. My paintings have been sent as far as Australia and the USA and are in public as well as private collections.

However, we have now decided to call it a day and we officially finished at the end of the financial year (2018). My paintings will no longer be available in any gallery, although I may do a bit of painting and sketching for pleasure.

The paintings featured here include one of a Stanier Black Five crossing the Bascule Bridge at Carmarthen. I have a real fascination with steam locos. originating from my boyhood and although I don't sell enough to warrant doing more than the odd picture. I do enjoy doing them. Alex and I went to visit the Gwili Railway. It is on our doorstep and yet although I have been to draw and paint there, we had never been for a train ride. It was really nice - the volunteers are so friendly, and the trains bring back happy memories. Another painting is of Gwarchodwr Cymreig (Welsh Guardsman) one of their saddle tanks.

David Lloyd George was not only a famous Welsh Prime Minister, but he was also a steam engine on the Ffestiniog Railway! We went on this train in the Summer. I admit being a sucker for steam engines and traction engines... I am not a fanatic, but I did as a child collect railway engine numbers. The setting is generic to the hills around Blaenau Ffestiniog and the engine details I got using my photographs as a reference. I then did a drawing to sort out the composition and engine details before getting on with the painting.