Dining aboard a steam train is about far more than what’s on the plate. Inside the beautifully restored Pullman carriages of the Bluebell Railway, the experience is shaped by history, craftsmanship and atmosphere. I was delighted to be asked to photograph the food on board, capturing a steam train dining experience that reflects both the quality of the dining and the unique setting in which it takes place.
This project felt particularly special to me, as my son’s love of steam trains means the Bluebell Railway is somewhere we visit often.
Planning the Shoot
The railway hadn’t previously commissioned a professional food shoot and found my work online. Ahead of the shoot, I arranged a visit to learn more about the food being offered and to plan the project in detail. We discussed the dishes that needed to be photographed, considered which drinks would accompany each course, and walked through the Pullman carriages to select those best suited to the styling and décor.
It was important that the carriages were set up exactly as they would be during a dining service. All visible tables were fully laid, with ironed tablecloths and carefully considered details, so the images would feel authentic and true to the experience guests receive.
Light, Space and Location
We worked out the best position to park the carriages to make the most of the available light and views through the windows. The shoot itself took place at Sheffield Park Station, just north of Chailey, where the train could remain stationary for the duration of the session and we wouldn’t have too many people walking past.
With limited space to work within the carriages, I kept my lighting setup to a minimum and selected tables that benefited from the best natural light. This approach allowed the warmth of the interiors and the character of the carriages to shape the images naturally.
The Pullman Carriages
The Golden Arrow service is made up of beautifully restored historic Pullman coaches, including Christine, Fingall and Pullman Car 54, each with its own distinct character. Elements from the golden era of railway travel form an important part of the dining experience and naturally influence how the food is presented and photographed.
Photographing People, not Poses
While the shoot itself was carefully set up, the intention was always for the images to feel natural and unforced. As well as wider images I focussed on small, genuine moments — hands holding cutlery, glasses raised mid-conversation, and relaxed expressions and laughter. Because the volunteers knew each other and were comfortable in the setting, there was plenty of natural interaction.
Photographing a steam train dining experience requires balancing atmosphere, detail and people without over-directing the scene. By photographing people as they dined, the focus remained on enjoyment and interaction, creating images that feel lived-in rather than staged.
Food, Details and Service
Alongside the main shots of each dish, I photographed a wide variety of supporting images. These included close-ups of the food itself, as well as wider shots that stepped back to include more of the carriage and its surroundings. I captured detail shots — hands holding knives and forks, glasses of wine and champagne, napkins on the table, butter served alongside bread — all styled exactly as they would be during service.
Dessert and cheese courses were included, along with images of dishes being served. I photographed wine and champagne with corks removed, and always encourage clients to choose the wines they genuinely serve – afterall, people buy what they see.
To ensure variety across the final image set, we worked with a mix of male and female volunteers of different ages, regularly swapping people between tables so the images reflected a broad range of diners.
Unplanned Moments
While much of the shoot was planned, some of my favourite images happened in between. As I walked through the carriage, I caught sight of the chef at work in the compact kitchen and instinctively grabbed these shots. They weren’t staged or directed — just quiet moments of concentration that reflect the skill, care and realities of preparing food in such a unique and confined space.
The final image set
The shoot took place over five hours, allowing time to photograph multiple dishes across different carriages and capture a wide variety of moments. In total, I delivered 235 edited images, including both portrait and landscape formats, giving the railway a flexible image library for use across their website, marketing and promotional materials. A selection of the photographs can now be seen on the Bluebell Railway’s dining and events pages.
Would you like to see more?
If you’re interested in more of my local food photography work, see my Food Photography Sussex page.
