York Ice Trail - The Bettys Express Train by fishers

York Ice Trail - The Bettys Express Train

This shot from the Ice Trail was one of the last sculptures that I shot on Saturday - the 35th of 37. It shows the effect of the sculpture being out for several hours on a warm day (12C). The fine detail in the carving has been worn quite smooth as the ice is melting. In this case I quite like the effect, but in other sculptures, particularly of people, they develop very distorted features. Fortunately there was a second set of identical sculptures to put on display for the Sunday display.

Ice sculpture displays in York go back a number of years. The first display was in the quiet streets between Stonegate, Low Petergate and Church street, in an attempt to attract customers to the shops there. It was paid for by the shop owners, and consisted of about 6 sculptures, all of angels, with the title 'Festival of Ages'.

After several years the city council funded an extension to the displays to cover more of the city centre. Then came the financial crash and the council withdrew it's funding, and the shop owners would not pick up the financial burden and the displays ended.

More recently the York BID (Business Improvement District) team pushed for a relaunch. The date was moved from December to the beginning of February, and each sculpture is sponsored by a local company. Bettys Tea Rooms sponsored this steam train.

Ian
Nice shot of this ice sculpture
February 6th, 2023  
Wonderful comosition, capture!
February 6th, 2023  
Nice!
February 6th, 2023  
Nice shot and story😊
February 6th, 2023  
Nice photo and interesting narrative.
February 6th, 2023  
Wonderful capture - 1919 is the year my mum was born
February 6th, 2023  
Wonderful capture.
February 6th, 2023  
Beautiful capture, such wonderful artistry
February 6th, 2023  
What a wonderful sculpture and a fitting subject for the city of York for
February 6th, 2023  
Great capture of this nice stream locomotive sculpture.
February 6th, 2023  
Awesome
February 7th, 2023  
Well done. Very nicely done. As it was melting before your lens.
February 7th, 2023  
Wow, it’s very well done
February 7th, 2023  
Amazing
February 7th, 2023  
Ohhh memories of Betty's, fat rascals 😋
February 7th, 2023  
Lovely shot and ice sculpture. These artists are so very good; pity Lovely creations like this melt down in such a short time.
February 7th, 2023  
Not your usual engine shot but well taken. Another FAV
February 7th, 2023  
@seattlite @photographycrazy @pammyjoy @mubbur @billdavidson @rensala @vesna0210 @craftymeg @busylady @pyrrhula @365projectorgchristine @johnfalconer @kjarn @joansmor @ladypolly @sangwann @alfsson

Thank you all for your lovely comments and favs, they are very much appreciated.

It's always an interesting challenge taking photos of the ice sculptures. Weather conditions have a huge impact. Bright light through the ice can create spectacular effects, but a dull day like Saturday is much less useful.

Ian
February 7th, 2023  
1919...my lucky number! Lovely ice sculpture. fav
February 13th, 2023  
@gardenfolk

Thank you - this was great fun!

Ian
February 16th, 2023  
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