Wiltshire’s amateur photographers are being invited to celebrate 200 years of the modern railway by entering a new competition that aims to showcase community talent and the enduring role of the rail network.
The contest, run by TransWilts Community Rail Partnership in partnership with The Arts Society Kington Langley (TASKL), is open now and welcomes entries from photographers of all ages and abilities.
Entrants are asked to submit up to three images reflecting how the railway connects communities—past and present—across Wiltshire. From quiet rural halts to busy town stations, or a scenic shot framed by the tracks, every image will help tell the story of two centuries of rail in the county.
There are prizes on offer including photography gear and travel passes, and winning entries will be displayed at railway stations, as well as in TransWilts and TASKL publications. Every photograph submitted will also form part of a digital exhibition, ensuring all contributors have their work seen by the public.
Sophie Martin, Community Partnership Manager at TransWilts, said:
“2025 marks 200 years of the modern railway and the huge impact it has had on the world. This competition is about celebrating how our railways bring people together and connect communities, both historically and today. We’re excited to see entries from all ages, whether captured on a smartphone or a professional camera.”
Special youth categories will give children and young people aged 5–10 and 11–18 the chance to enter their own work.
Heather Leach, Arts Volunteer at TASKL, added:
“We believe the arts help people celebrate life and what’s around them. Photography is wonderfully accessible—anyone can have a go, whether it’s a spur-of-the-moment shot or a carefully planned image. We can’t wait to see how people choose to capture the story of rail in Wiltshire.”
Entries are open exclusively to amateur photographers and must be submitted in high resolution (around 3MB) in JPEG, JPG or PNG format via the TransWilts website: www.transwilts.org. The closing date is 31 December 2025.
