Forged in Steam Photographic Exhibition – A Railway 200 celebration at the Haworth Art Gallery
Forged in Steam is a new exhibition by Lancashire-based photographer, Diane Muldowney which launched on Saturday 24th January 2026. Brought to life through the support of Community Rail Lancashire, this exhibition is part of Railway 200, a national celebration of 200 years of passenger railway. The exhibition, supported by three artists, Bess Holt, Andrew Nicholas and Ajaz Qureshi explores Britain’s railway heritage through the lens of labour, skill, and collaboration.
As Diane Muldowney explains “The photography focuses not only on steam locomotives in motion, but on the people who keep them alive, crews, engineers, and volunteers whose knowledge and craft are forged through heat, effort, and time,” all possible through Diane’s unique behind-the-scenes access to heritage railways, mainline steam tours, and landmark events such as The Greatest Gathering, and Locomotion No.1’s test run on Network Rail mainline.”
Ajaz Qureshi Concrete poetry Forged in Steam
The exhibition presents steam as a living, working practice rather than a romanticised past. Coal-marked faces, tools, machinery, and engines moving through northern landscapes speak of endurance, teamwork, and the transmission of skills across generations.
“Steam railways survive because of people,” Diane goes on to say. “Their knowledge, their physical labour, and their willingness to pass skills on. I’m interested in what happens when we really look at that work, and what it means for the future.”
Forged in Steam also reflects on contemporary questions surrounding sustainability, fossil fuels, and the future viability of heritage railways. The exhibition asks how historic technologies can be understood within a modern environmental context, and how preservation continues to adapt rather than stand still.
Mike Cliffe, Chair of the East Lancashire Line Community Rail Partnership said: “I’m delighted to see the artists’ work all come together here in Accrington to celebrate the ongoing legacy of 200 years of our railways. The lovely imagery brings to life just how the railway continues to impact on people and place”.
The event also saw the launch of the walking and heritage trail to the Haworth Art Gallery ‘Hyndburn Greenway & Woodnook Trail, (click the link to download) – a delightful route using the Hyndburn Greenway and the old railway up Baxenden Bank, accessible from nearby railway stations and which also marks the first of many events to celebrate 25 years of Community Rail in Lancashire.
Martin Keating, Northern’s Community and Sustainability Manager said: “I am so pleased that this project has come to fruition. This is a great achievement by all concerned. Well Done to all our community partners who have made this happen.”
The launch ceremony also heard the first reading of a poem written by Ajaz Qureshi and this can be seen by clicking this link: Forged in Steam – Poem – Ajaz Qureshi
To see some photographs taken at the Launch Event click on this link: forged in steam photographs/
There will also be public family drop-in sessions on 21st and 22nd February between 12:30 – 13:30 and 14:00 – 15:00 when you can work alongside artists, Gosha Gibek and Diane Muldowney colouring a giant puzzle inspired by the pathway to the gallery, or being introduced to Cyanotype & Linocut Printing through Diane’s amazing train photography.
This project has been funded by the Community Rail Network through the DfT’s Community Rail Development Fund; Community Rail Lancashire; Lancashire County Council and Northern.
