There’s something about railways that makes them feel cinematic. Maybe it’s the movement, the nostalgia, or the way they’ve shaped so many great stories. From black-and-white classics to Hollywood blockbusters, trains have long been a filmmaker’s dream setting. And if you’re looking for a railway that truly transports audiences to another era, the Bluebell Railway in Sussex is unmatched.
With steam locomotives dating back to the 1870s, beautifully preserved Victorian stations, and 11 miles of uninterrupted track, Bluebell Railway has been a key location for films, TV shows, and music videos. Productions like Sherlock Holmes, The Muppets, Blitz, and Elton John’s I Want Love have all made use of its authentic period setting.
At Softech Rail, we set out to capture the magic of this heritage railway in our latest project, “From Rails to Reels: The Magic of Railways in Film.” It was more than just a celebration of Bluebell’s cinematic appeal—it was a chance to push our technical and creative skills, bringing together meticulous planning, problem-solving, and high-end film production techniques.
But, as every filmmaker knows, things rarely go exactly as planned. This project tested our ability to adapt, problem-solve, and deliver under pressure, proving that creativity and logistics must go hand in hand.
Capturing Bluebell’s Story: Our Technical Approach
Every great film starts with a strong production plan. We knew that to truly showcase Bluebell Railway, we’d need a high-end filming setup, carefully structured interviews, and a blend of dynamic and intimate shots that would bring the location to life.
The Equipment Behind the Magic
To capture the full cinematic beauty of the railway, we needed a versatile, professional-grade setup. Our primary camera was the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro, chosen for its stunning image clarity, deep colour grading flexibility, and excellent low-light performance.
Mounted on a Three Legged Thing tripod
we ensured rock-solid stability, even on uneven terrain.
A Sony camera and an iPhone provided additional angles
helping us capture different perspectives without disrupting interviews.
Four lighting kits were set up in a three-point lighting configuration
with an extra fill light to combat harsh shadows from the sun.
For sound, we used a handheld reporter microphone for primary audio
with Sennheiser G4 wireless microphones as backups, ensuring that every spoken word was crisp and clear.
Then there was the drone
the DJI Mavic 3 Pro. We wanted sweeping aerial shots of the railway in motion, adding a dynamic, bird’s-eye perspective to our film. But this is where one of our biggest challenges came in.
Unplanned Obstacles: The Drone Incident
Even with meticulous pre-planning, filming on location always brings surprises. During one of our aerial shots, the drone collided with an unseen power line—an obstacle that hadn’t been visible in our initial location assessments.
It was a stark reminder that even the most thorough risk assessments can miss something. But filmmaking, like railway engineering, is about problem-solving in real-time. Instead of losing time or compromising on shots, we adjusted:
Flight paths were altered
Ensuring safer drone navigation.
Backup footage from ground-level cameras was reviewed
Allowing us to maintain shot continuity.
Revised aerial angles were captured
Ensuring the final film still had the stunning overhead visuals we had planned.
The result? The setback became part of the learning process, reinforcing how adaptability and fast decision-making are just as important as preparation.
Interview Setup: Framing the Story
A huge part of “From Rails to Reels” was its interview-driven narrative, giving insight into why Bluebell Railway has become such a beloved film location. But setting up an interview in an active railway environment comes with its own challenges.
- The background had to be visually engaging but not distracting—we chose station platforms and heritage carriages that framed the interviewee naturally.
- Lighting was adjusted throughout the day, using reflectors and diffusers to counteract the shifting sun.
- We kept a consistent 180-degree shutter angle on the Blackmagic 6K Pro, ensuring natural motion blur and smooth cinematic visuals.
- Audio was monitored in real time, preventing any unwanted background noise from interfering with the dialogue.
It was about getting the perfect balance—a mix of technical precision and a relaxed, natural interview environment.
Lessons in Adaptability: Lighting and Location Changes
Lighting is one of the biggest challenges in outdoor filming, and despite our best plans, we had to adjust on the fly. The day brought harsh direct sunlight, which created deep shadows and high contrast areas—not ideal for evenly lit interviews.
We adapted by:
- Repositioning the three-point lighting setup to soften shadows.
- Using ND filters on the Blackmagic 6K Pro, reducing overexposure while maintaining depth of field.
- Changing the shooting schedule, ensuring the best lighting conditions for key shots.
And then there were the script and location adjustments. Shooting at a live heritage railway meant we had to be flexible, accommodating last-minute schedule shifts and ensuring we captured the right material without disrupting railway operations.
A Passion for Rail: More Than Just a Film Location
This project wasn’t just about filmmaking—it was about our passion for railways. Being on site, watching the historic signals change, seeing the steam rise from the engines, and witnessing heritage engineering in motion was a powerful experience.
For us at Softech Rail, it was a reminder of how far railway technology has come—from manually operated signals to today’s modern digital systems. It’s one thing to design railway networks, but seeing the full history of rail in motion made us even more passionate about the work we do.
What’s Next? Bluebell Railway’s Future with Film
The response to “From Rails to Reels” has been overwhelmingly positive. Bluebell Railway has confirmed they will be integrating the film into their 2024 marketing strategy, using it to promote their site as a prime filming location.
For Softech Rail, this represents more than just a successful project—it’s an ongoing partnership. The film not only strengthens our presence in the creative industry but also paves the way for future collaborations with Bluebell Railway, particularly through Softech Training, which will use their facilities for hands-on rail training courses.
Experience the Magic of Rail in Film
“From Rails to Reels” is about more than just a location—it’s about the stories that railways tell, the role they play in film, and the passion that keeps them alive.
Watch the film now: From Rails to Reels: The Magic of Railways in Film
