Exhibition honours heritage railway line's founder

The exhibition celebrates the line's founder

A heritage railway is celebrating its 50th anniversary with an exhibition about its founder.

Opened by his daughter, The Man Who Loved Giants display focuses on David Shepherd's work as an artist and wildlife campaigner.

He bought Cranmore railway station in 1971 and opened the East Somerset Railway line to Mendip Vale three years later.

An exhibition at the station will feature a restored railway carriage transformed into a 1970s-style living room with some of Mr Shepherd's prints, artefacts and photos on display, as well as a soundtrack in his own words.

Mr Shepherd was originally rejected from art school for being "untrainable" but he later went on to forge a successful artistic career, known for his paintings of African wildlife and steam engines.

Elaine Lavender, a trustee and curator at East Somerset Railway, said putting on the exhibition was "a real honour".

"I believe the exhibition will open people's eyes to the amazing talent of the man, his importance to railway heritage and his huge legacy to wildlife conservation.

"I think it will also surprise many visitors when they see the range of his artwork on display and learn of his amazing achievements. He was not just 'the man who painted elephants'," she said.

The exhibition opens later on Thursday.