Meet our team & collaborators...
Mike Jaimes
Co Presenter
Chris Kirk
Director
Catherine Pope
Production Supervisor
Collaborations
At Tracing the Rails, we deeply value the collaborations that have enriched our show. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the following partners for their invaluable support:
Steyning Museum UK
Steyning Museum offers a comprehensive journey through the history of Steyning and its neighbouring parishes, from pre-history to the present day. Their extensive archives and exhibits have provided us with crucial insights that have significantly enhanced our episodes.
Henfield Museum
Henfield Museum boasts a rich collection spanning prehistoric artefacts to 20th-century memorabilia, preserving the fascinating history of the area. Their expertise and historical records have been instrumental in shaping the storytelling of Tracing the Rails.
Dawn Quest Model Railway Channel
Dawn Quest’s passion for model railways shines through her engaging content. Her upcoming appearance on Tracing the Rails will showcase her expertise—watch this space and Dawns Fab Channel!
Dumpman Films by Chris Bedford
Dumpman Films specializes in exploring abandoned railways and forgotten routes, capturing the spirit of lost transport history. Chris Bedford’s contributions to our show have offered a nostalgic and fascinating look at railway remnants.
Rob Bell & Amberley Museum
Rob Bell has been a fantastic supporter of Tracing the Rails, bringing his knowledge and enthusiasm for railways and transport history to our project. Likewise, Amberley Museum, nestled in the South Downs, has been an incredible resource, preserving the industrial heritage of the region. Their combined contributions have been invaluable in bringing authenticity and depth to our series.
Rewind TV
We are exceedingly grateful to Rewind TV for broadcasting our episodes. Their platform has enabled us to reach a wider audience, helping us share our passion for railway history with viewers far and wide.
Each of these collaborators has played a pivotal role in the success and recognition of Tracing the Rails. We look forward to continuing these fantastic partnerships as we uncover more railway history!
Credential
As a dynamic production team, Chris Kirk and Stephen Cranford, lifelong friends with unique but relevant experience and skills, bring together a fine blend of expertise and passion to the world of documentary filmmaking. Chris, with his background as an editor and creative with a profound interest in local history and environmental conservation, brings organisational skills and a keen eye for detail to the project. Stephen Cranford, known for his engaging presence on BBC Radio Sussex and various television projects, adds a layer of charisma and a wealth of broadcasting experience.
Together, they form a synergistic duo, combining Chris's meticulous planning and research capabilities with Stephen's storytelling prowess and on-screen appeal. In fact they met while working for a model railway shop called "the Engine Shed", part of Gaugemaster Controls.
Joining them are Mike Jaimes as co-presenter and Lou Kirk-Partridge as Producer. Mike a person with years of real experience in transport history with specialist knowledge of trams and buses in particular, combined with his talents on stage, and in narrating. Lou Partridge a project manager, artist, and photographer with a real passion for the countryside and Sussex local history, whose Dad also happened to be a railwayman.
Our approach to production is marked by a careful balance of educational content, visual storytelling, and community engagement, ensuring that each episode of 'Tracing the Rails' resonates with a wide audience rather than relating only to rail enthusiasts. The production firmly aims to show what still remains, how you can find it and what it means.
