A selection of 47 winning and highly commended photographs from 2,500 entries received to the Powerhouse’s recent international photographic competition Trainspotting, will go on display in a new exhibition at the Museum from 12 May.

The photographic exhibition Trainspotting captures a broad range of train and railway subjects from steam locomotives, modern train infrastructure and vast landscapes that railway networks cover, to the diverse human activity that surrounds trains 24 by 7.  The photographers represented come from all over the world – from England, Canada, USA, China and India, to Switzerland, Latvia, Romania and Slovakia.

“With a large majority of entries coming via the online Flickr photographic community, this exhibition showcases a really interesting selection of photography and subject matter from around the globe,” said Dr Dawn Casey, Director, Powerhouse Museum.

“The common thread running through the images is the photographers’ passion for a subject that can so easily become a wonderful, lifelong interest for train spotters and train enthusiasts alike!” said Dr Casey.

Launched on Flickr by the Powerhouse in January this year, the Trainspotting competition invited professional and amateur photographers worldwide to enter photos into six train and rail themed categories.

The overall winner was David Hill from the United Kingdom for his photo, ‘The Pit’, of North China’s Zhalai Nouer coal mine, taken in December 2006. The bird’s eye view of several, locomotives, with their signature plumes of steam, depicts a booming nation hard at work mining its major energy source.  David Hill’s photograph has coincidently captured a piece of history as the steam locos in his photo were only last year replaced by trucks to haul coal out of the mine pit.

Six runner-up category finalists, including four Australians, were:  Adrian Roberts from Sydney, winner of the steam trains category for his photo ‘African Sunrise’; Mark Morris from Melbourne, winner of the diesel and electric train category for his photo ‘Sunset over the Victorian Railways’; Robert Parnell from St Clair, Sydney, winner of the night shot category for his photo ‘Ghostly Glow’; Dominik Giemza from Rozelle, Sydney, winner of the train spotting category for his photo ‘Waiting at Wattamondara’; Travis Aberle from Kansas City, USA, winner of the railway infrastructure category for his photo ‘Washington DC Metro’; and Andrew Gorrie from New Zealand, winner of the railway workers category for his photo ‘Morning Inspection’.

The overall winner receives AUD$5000 in prize money, generously supported by Mr Dick Smith AO.  The category finalists each receive AUD$2,000 thanks to the support of UGL Rail and friends of the Powerhouse Foundation.

Trainspotting judges were Robbie Buck, 702 ABC Radio presenter and a keen amateur photographer; Tali Udovich, Director of the Blender Gallery in Sydney; and Mark Goggin, General Manager of Marketing, Programs and Commercial Services at the Powerhouse Museum.

Trainspotting is on display at the Powerhouse Museum until 29 August 2010, after which it will travel to selected regional venues around Australia.

Exhibition: Trainspotting
Dates: 12 May – 29 August 2010
Address: Powerhouse Museum, 500 Harris Street, Ultimo, Sydney
Telephone: (02) 9217 0111 or infoline (02) 9217 0444
Hours: 10.00am to 5.00pm (closed Christmas Day)
Admission: General admission $10 adult, $5 child/student, $6 concession and $25 family. Powerhouse Museum members, children under 5 years, NSW Senior Card holders and pensioners admitted free.