The upper, colour image is of a steam engine of the East Lancashire Railway crossing the viaduct over the river Roch, to the east of Bury. The lower black and white image is of a disused warehouse and chimney. The train is pulling a set of freight carriages, as part of the Mainline Steam Weekend at the East Lancs Railway.

Visit www.east-lancs-rly.co.uk.

What's the connection between the two images? They can both be seen from the viewpoint in Openshaw Park, Bury. I wanted to combine them somehow and wondered if I could do a composite image. I decided simply to place one above the other. My main subject is the urban landscape in and around Manchester, and how it has changed. I have conflicting feelings about taking photos that try to recreate the 'old' Manchester. On the one hand it seems like a fake, using a digital camera and Photoshop to take an empty factory and a train run by a heritage railway. But on the other hand I am just trying to give a form to the images in my mind of the old Manchester, using elements of today's urban landscape.

About the photos

This image is from the portfolio of Aidan O'Rourke photographer writer website publisher. Most images are copyright Aidan O'Rourke and may be available as prints or high resolution files. Some images are by other artists, and are published with their approval, or are included in reviews of their work.

The portfolio contains a wide range of themes and image formats. The images are used to illustrate articles on this site, and to provide information about the subjects depicted.

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Keywords: trains, transport, factory, steam, local history, industrial revolution, Bury, Bury MBC, Greater Manchester, Lancashire,