A RAILWAY artist has a return ticket to show his pictures at Carnforth Station Heritage Centre this autumn.

Alan Gunston lives at Kirkby Stephen with his wife Bridget, close to the Settle to Carlisle line, and is a volunteer at Kirkby Stephen East, the restored Victorian station and heritage centre.

An associate member of the Guild of Railway Artists for 36 years, Alan has been pursuing his hobby since taking early retirement from Cumbria County Council.

He has been invited back to Carnforth's Link Gallery after a successful one-man show two years ago, and his artworks will be on view until December 30.

Among them is Trainspotters, a nostalgic image of two schoolboys. "In many ways it is autobiographical," said Alan, "as I can remember many happy hours spent on lattice-metal girder bridges, collecting train numbers during the last days of steam.

"Judging by the response to this recent colour pastel version, it would appear the theme resonates with many people, of all ages. I have also undertaken a Christmas card version of this image for the Stainmore Railway Company."

Also on show will be Hustle and Bustle, a busy scene from York station in the 1930s evoking the golden age of rail travel, with its "glamour, noise and activity".

For more, see www.carnforthstation.co.uk