Bristol Parkway to Wootton Bassett Junction
Bristol Parkway
Approaching Bristol Parkway from South Wales. 5th May 2016 - evidence of the new depot under construction. Copyright Roger Winnen
Bristol Parkway Bristol Parkway on 13th August 1986, on not so much of a summers day where 50047 'Swiftsure' is seen arriving, Copyright Alan Peters.
A powerful picture = 47840 in 2002-starting off from Bristol Parkway. Copyright Phil Smith
Bristol Parkway - a smart 143 612 calls at Bristol Parkway on the 25th Aug 2003 Copyright Roger Winnen.
030825c Bristol Parkway with a down train. 25th Aug 2003 Copyright Roger Winnen
Bristol Parkway and The New Royal Mail Depot 25th Aug 2003 Copyright Roger Winnen
Bristol Parkway and The New Royal Mail Depot 25th Aug 2003 Copyright Roger Winnen
Westerleigh Junction
Westerleigh Jct. A view taken on a CRS visit to Wales on the 28th June 2016. The railway in this picture is the former Midland Main line from Yate to Bristol Temple Meads via Mangotsfield, Fish Ponds and Staple Hill. At Mangotsfield there was also a line to the Somerset and Dorset at Bath Green Park and thence to Bournemouth. Copyright Roger Winnen.
Westerleigh Junction to Yate.
We divert momentarily to cover the line towards Gloucester which passes through Yate.
From the main Bristol Parkway line this route diverts left down quite steep bank to join the former Midland Main line passing through Yate.
We divert momentarily to cover the line towards Gloucester which passes through Yate.
From the main Bristol Parkway line this route diverts left down quite steep bank to join the former Midland Main line passing through Yate.
Dropping away from the Bristol Parkway to Wootton Bassett line we await a class 50 hauled freight. 18th August 1978. Copyright Roger Winnen.
The return journey heading up the bank to join the Wootton Basset to Bristol Parkway line. !8th August 1978. Copyright Roger Winnen.
Yate Station
Yate station. Down side building and the red brick goods shed. 18th August 1978 Copyright Roger Winnen
We now continue our journey along the Bristol Parkway to Wootton Bassett line - Winterbourne would have been the net station.
Winterbourne Station
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winterbourne_railway_station
See also http://bristol-rail.co.uk/wiki/Winterbourne
109 3/4 miles from London Paddington.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winterbourne_railway_station
See also http://bristol-rail.co.uk/wiki/Winterbourne
109 3/4 miles from London Paddington.
This building is all that remains of Winterbourne station. The premises were in use by a car repairer. 18th August 1978. Copyrght Roger Winnen.
Huckford Viaduct spans the river Frome just north of Winterbourne Station. It was built in 1902 as part of the Badminton line from Bristol Parkway to London Paddington. The viaduct rises to 100 feet above the river, and is made up of 11 massive brick arches.
Coalpit Heath Station
The station opened on 1 July 1903 by the GWR. The station was situated north of Winterbourne and south of Chipping Sodbury station. The station was closed to both passengers and goods traffic on 3 April 1961.
Pictures http://bristol-rail.co.uk/wiki/Coalpit_Heath 108 1/2 miles from London Paddington.
The station opened on 1 July 1903 by the GWR. The station was situated north of Winterbourne and south of Chipping Sodbury station. The station was closed to both passengers and goods traffic on 3 April 1961.
Pictures http://bristol-rail.co.uk/wiki/Coalpit_Heath 108 1/2 miles from London Paddington.
Chipping Sodbury - was a railway station on the South Wales Main Line serving the town of Chipping Sodbury in Gloucestershire. The station opened on 1 July 1903, and closed on 3 April 1961.
See also - more information on http://bristol-rail.co.uk/wiki/Chipping_Sodbury
104 1/2 miles from London Paddington.
See also - more information on http://bristol-rail.co.uk/wiki/Chipping_Sodbury
104 1/2 miles from London Paddington.
Chipping Sodbury Loops
104 3/4 miles from London Paddington.
104 3/4 miles from London Paddington.
Chipping Sodbury Tunnel Two miles 926 yards long. 101 Miles 6 Chains to 103 Miles 48 Chains
Chipping Sodbury 890610j A view from Chipping Sodbury of one the tunnel Ventilation shafts. Copyright Roger Winnen
The north end of Chipping Sodbury tunnel. 10th June 1989 Copyright Roger Winnen. Taken on a CRS minibus trip.
A closer view of the tunnel at Chipping Sodbury. 10th June 1989. Copyright Roger Winnen.
Hullavington Station
This station served the civil parish of Hullavington, Wiltshire, England from 1903 to 1965.
Images https://www.google.com/search?sxsrf=ALeKk000zdjJfZanq5sAAFeNhgKUM7I8rw:1596125066742&source=univ&tbm=isch&q=hullavington+railway+station&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiJ3_qcrfXqAhX8QEEAHaXcC3oQsAR6BAgLEAE&biw=1187&bih=795&dpr=1.25
94 1/4 miles from London Paddington.
This station served the civil parish of Hullavington, Wiltshire, England from 1903 to 1965.
Images https://www.google.com/search?sxsrf=ALeKk000zdjJfZanq5sAAFeNhgKUM7I8rw:1596125066742&source=univ&tbm=isch&q=hullavington+railway+station&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiJ3_qcrfXqAhX8QEEAHaXcC3oQsAR6BAgLEAE&biw=1187&bih=795&dpr=1.25
94 1/4 miles from London Paddington.
Badminton Station Closed 1968
Badminton Station remains of. 18th August 1978. Copyright Roger Winnen
Courtesy Wikipedia - Badminton railway station is a closed railway station in Gloucestershire, England on the line between Little Somerford to the east, and Bristol parkway to the west. It served the villages of Badminton and Acton Turville.The station was opened by the Great Western Railway in 1903 and became part of British Railways on the 1st January 1948. The station was closed in 1968.The station buildings and sections of platforms still stand derelict with trains passing through the site on the South Wales Main Line.
100 miles from London Paddington.
100 miles from London Paddington.
Alderton Tunnel 506 yards
97 1/2 miles from London Paddington.
97 1/2 miles from London Paddington.
The weekend of 27th - 28th April saw engineering work at Alderton Tunnel between Westerleigh Junction and Wooton Bassett Junction, another weekend stuck in a tunnel.
A view from the top of Alderton tunnel looking in the Swindon direction, the banks have now been cleared of vegetation for the electrification. In the distance is the rear of 6C25 with ballast for the relay inside the tunnel. The 506 yard tunnel was opened on 1st January 1903 and takes its name from the nearby Alderton village - Copyright Alan Peters 28th April 2019
Colas Rail Freight class 70 at the rear of top and tailed 6C25 at Alderton Tunnel which can be seen in the distance, the train was split with each portion either side of the tunnel, 70811 is pictured before propelling its train of loaded Falcon wagons into the tunnel to be unloaded before coupling up with the front portion of the train. This scene has changed with vegetation clearance and overhead wires as part of the Great Western electrification. 28th April 2019 Copyright Alan Peters
Inside Alderton Tunnel showing the relay on the 'Up Badminton' the new track is in place and the Pandol Fast Clips are being fastened by machine before the ballast can be unloaded by road railers. Copyright Alan Peters 28th April 2019. Copyright Alan Peters
Little Somerford (Change for Malmesbury) - once a four track station. Little Somerford closed to passengers on the 3rd April 1961 and to goods on the 10th June 1963
89 3/4 miles from London Paddington.
89 3/4 miles from London Paddington.
Little Somerford Station House. Picture taken by Ken Mumford - with owners permission. 28th April 2021.
Copyright Ken Mumford.
Notes on the Malmesbury branch
When the six and a half mile Malmesbury branch line was opened in 1877, it left the Great Western main line at Dauntsey and had one intermediate station just north of Great Somerford. In 1903 the GWR opened the South Wales main line which provided a more direct route to South Wales, passing close to the south of Little Somerford village and to the north of the earlier line. A small station at Little Somerford was opened on the day the line was opened to passengers, 1 July 1903. To the west of Little Somerford station the main line passed over the Malmesbury branch and the River Avon by means of the Somerford viaduct - a 13 arch structure, but at that time there was no connection.
In 1933 the connection of the branch to the main line network was altered so that the branch began at Little Somerford, and the section south to Dauntsey was closed. Thus from 17 July 1933 Little Somerford became a junction, that was until the branch was closed to passengers in September 1951 and completely in November 1962. The main line passenger service at the station was withdrawn in April 1961 and goods traffic in June 1963.
When the six and a half mile Malmesbury branch line was opened in 1877, it left the Great Western main line at Dauntsey and had one intermediate station just north of Great Somerford. In 1903 the GWR opened the South Wales main line which provided a more direct route to South Wales, passing close to the south of Little Somerford village and to the north of the earlier line. A small station at Little Somerford was opened on the day the line was opened to passengers, 1 July 1903. To the west of Little Somerford station the main line passed over the Malmesbury branch and the River Avon by means of the Somerford viaduct - a 13 arch structure, but at that time there was no connection.
In 1933 the connection of the branch to the main line network was altered so that the branch began at Little Somerford, and the section south to Dauntsey was closed. Thus from 17 July 1933 Little Somerford became a junction, that was until the branch was closed to passengers in September 1951 and completely in November 1962. The main line passenger service at the station was withdrawn in April 1961 and goods traffic in June 1963.
Our good friend Roger Salter sends us the results of exploration of the long gone route of the Malmesbury branch in May 2017. All pictures are his copyright.
Please note:- A full size picture complete with caption can be obtained by clicking on the thumbnails below.
For pictures of Little Somerford and the Malmesbury branch other references please try the links below.
The Malmesbury branch https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malmesbury_branch_line
Dauntsey station https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dauntsey_railway_station
Little Somerford station https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Somerford_railway_station
Great Somerford https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Somerford_Halt_railway_station
Mike Fenton book - Mike has visited us at Redruth on two occasions for talks on other fascinating railway subjects but here is his book. https://britishrailwaybooks.co.uk/books/ISBN/0906867886.php
The Malmesbury branch https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malmesbury_branch_line
Dauntsey station https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dauntsey_railway_station
Little Somerford station https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Somerford_railway_station
Great Somerford https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Somerford_Halt_railway_station
Mike Fenton book - Mike has visited us at Redruth on two occasions for talks on other fascinating railway subjects but here is his book. https://britishrailwaybooks.co.uk/books/ISBN/0906867886.php
Brinkworth
Courtesy Wikipedia - Brinkworth station, on the southern outskirts of the village near the road to Dauntsey and Grittenham, was opened at the same time as the Badminton Line in 1903. There were two platforms with buildings of brick and stone, a footbridge, goods yard and cattle pens, and a station master's house next to the road. Traffic (both goods and passengers) was always light and the station closed in 1961. The station was demolished but the house remains as a private residence. For views of the station please click on https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brinkworth,_Wiltshire
87 Miles from London Paddington
87 Miles from London Paddington
Wooton Bassett Junction
Wootton Bassett Junction 3rd July 2016 Copyright Roger Winnen
Courtesy of Wikipedia - Wootton Bassett railway station opened on 30 July 1841, when the GWR Main line from London Paddington was extended from Chippenham through the Box Tunnel through to Bristol Temple Meads. It replaced Wootton Basset Road Closed 31st July 1881, about 2.5 miles (4.0 km) to the east as the station serving Wootton Bassett.
The railway was double track with a platform on each side of the line and a small stone building on each. The main offices were on the north side of the line but a good shed was provided on the south side at the London end of the platform. In 1850, an excursion train collided with a horsebox that had escaped from a siding at the station. Following this accident, the Great Western Railway provided trap points and scotch blocks at all sidings that exited onto running lines.
In 1873 a signal box was opened at the west end of the Bristol-bound platform to control trains through the station; until then signals had been worked independently but they were now all able to be interlocked to prevent conflicting moves. A footbridge was provided from 1880 to allow passengers to cross the tracks, but a road bridge was also available at the east end of the station. In June 1874 saw a third rail laid along each track to give a mixed gauge which allowed 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in trains to operate through the station, although broad gauge services to Cornwall continued to operate until May 1892. See Images - https://www.google.com/search?sxsrf=ALeKk01eQ34U4_yERjCrX_6rxEst9hE_oQ:1596125530819&source=univ&tbm=isch&q=wootton+bassett+railway+station&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwih3J_6rvXqAhUlwuYKHcjJCmEQsAR6BAgQEAE&biw=1187&bih=795
The railway was double track with a platform on each side of the line and a small stone building on each. The main offices were on the north side of the line but a good shed was provided on the south side at the London end of the platform. In 1850, an excursion train collided with a horsebox that had escaped from a siding at the station. Following this accident, the Great Western Railway provided trap points and scotch blocks at all sidings that exited onto running lines.
In 1873 a signal box was opened at the west end of the Bristol-bound platform to control trains through the station; until then signals had been worked independently but they were now all able to be interlocked to prevent conflicting moves. A footbridge was provided from 1880 to allow passengers to cross the tracks, but a road bridge was also available at the east end of the station. In June 1874 saw a third rail laid along each track to give a mixed gauge which allowed 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in trains to operate through the station, although broad gauge services to Cornwall continued to operate until May 1892. See Images - https://www.google.com/search?sxsrf=ALeKk01eQ34U4_yERjCrX_6rxEst9hE_oQ:1596125530819&source=univ&tbm=isch&q=wootton+bassett+railway+station&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwih3J_6rvXqAhUlwuYKHcjJCmEQsAR6BAgQEAE&biw=1187&bih=795
83 Miles from London Paddington