I’m a freelance professional photographer, journalist and blogger who works (mostly) in and around the rail industry and has done since 1999 although my knowledge & experience of railways stretches back to the 1970s
My pictures and articles have and do appear in a host of magazines including RAIL, Modern Railways, The International Railway Journal, The Railway Magazine, Railways Illustrated, Tramways and Urban Transit and Railnews. I’ve also supplied pictures to the national newspapers and media which includes The Times, Daily Mail, The Guardian, The Independent The Telegraph and the BBC. My pictures have been used in many books over the years – including the Lonely Planet series of travel guides.
I’m also a regular writer for RAIL magazine, contributing articles on a range of railway topics.
Besides the railway images I’ve a growing library of 1000s of worldwide travel pictures featuring dozens of countries from all corners of the planet.
My involvement with the railway industry isn’t just passive. For several years now I’ve been a judge for the annual Association of Community Rail Partnerships (ACoRP, now known as Community Rail Network) awards – a job that takes me all around the UK.
Paul Bigland 
Thought you might be interested in the complete failure of Christian Wolmar to have any impact whatsoever in the London Mayoral contest:
http://www2.politicalbetting.com/index.php/archives/2015/07/14/keiran-pedley-says-tessa-jowell-looks-set-to-become-labs-candidate-for-london-mayor/
Thought you may be interested to know there is someone who is possibly using your name and putting an anti HS2 comment on Manchester Evening News article http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/hs2-how-to-apply-compensation-13594277
Some of the best anti-HS2 craziness, apparently near Leeds it will be ‘a couple of kilometre high’ and viewable from Hull! Never mind the suggestion of sonic booms….
https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/hs2-depot-plan-for-east-leeds-here-are-the-arguments-for-and-against-1-9251543
Hope you’re back on Twitter soon. Seen some people asking after you.
Hi Paul,
I’ve followed your blog for the last couple of years and that clearly indicates I enjoy reading it, particularly as I live in Todmorden and it useful that you occasionally refer to my passion with are real ale pubs at your end of the calder valley which I now regularly visit.
However, mindful of your extensive coverage of the development of HS2 and future HS3 (NPR), I’d be interested to read in your blog what you think about today’s Grant Shapps IRP announcement and its impact on the existing Upper Calder Valley rail route, both at your end of the valley and also at the western end where I live?
Am I being over ambitious that the Calder route might benefit from any upgrades from today’s announcement, particularly the Upper Calder rail route into east lancashire which I use regularly.
I somehow think that the vast amount of money that’s now going to be allocated to this scale down version of the HS2 & HS3 proposals, the latter through Bradford, will mean that there won’t be any available funds in my life time (I’m 65) to see any future upgrades to the Calder Valley rail line. Would you agree?
As the announcement today of the IRP is probably one of the biggest rail improvements announcements for many years, with your knowledge of the national rail system, any comments on this issue through your blog would be appreciated.
Kind regards
Hi Chris.
I’m working on this and currently wading my way through the 162 pages. First thoughts? Only electrifying from Leeds to Bradford Interchange isn’t good for the Calder Valley, for several reasons. Showing that NPR is all about Whitehall’s willingness to release funds is a give-away too.
Hi there Paul.
I grew u in Lefevre walk, was born in 1980, still here today in the new homes.
Loved your write up and photos from 1994,
Can I ask, do u have more pictures from Lefevre?
Thanks
Hi Ozzie, yes I have loads but I’ve not got around to scanning them yet. I’ve lots of images of the Estate as it was when I worked there and also the demolition of many of the old blocks. I was hoping to get them done during Covid but time ran out. Bookmark my ‘social issues’ gallery om my Zenfolio website as that’s where they’ll appear. https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/p964956463 Oh, you’ll find some other old East End pictures in there now! All the best, Paul
Thank u so much.
I have been searching hi and low for pictures of basically my childhood on that estate, really looking forward to seeing more… Thank u
Hi Ozzie, I’ve just had a quick look through my slides waiting to be done and scanned this one especially for you as a taster. https://PaulBigland.zenfolio.com/p964956463/e509b624d
Wow! Unreal. Crazy as well I was in block H! Me and my family at 196. Got a bit of an interesting fact lol, me and my family was the last ever people to be left in Lefevre, so can u imagine walking into Lefevre the whole flat is pitch dark except one a few windows which had light in there, we stayed in block H for 7/8 days or so before we was finally moved to the home we are currently in now.
Amazing photo! Thank u