Bristol 
Temple Meads Station,
Bristol Harbour,
    Bristol Sheds
       & Clifton Rocks Railway
​In addition Colin Burges visits the Harbour area in 2016 

Bristol Temple Meads 810131c A view down on Bristol Temple Meads. Copyright Roger Winnen

880908d The grand frontage of the “Joint Station” built by the Great Western, Midland and Bristol & Exeter Companies. A picture by Roger Winnen, taken on 8th August 1988. Note the array of now vintage cars. Copyright

Bristol Temple Meads 000501c Bristol Temple Meads Station frontage. Copyright Roger Winnen

Bristol TM Work going on on the frontage - a view dated 18th August 1985. Copyright Mike Roach. The bus registration is C499BHY believed to be a Mercedes-Benz L608D.

880907b The Bristol & Exeter Railway building now named Collect House. Copyright Roger Winnen

Temple Meads - that very impressive roof. Copyright Roger Winnen

Bristol Temple Meads as we'd all like to remember it - yet this picture is bang up to date. A most appropriate sight at Temple Meads was the superbly restored D1935, aka 47805 which worked a special to Kingswear last weekend. The loco now carries the name 'Roger Hosking MA 1925-2013' bestowed upon it by Saphos Trains owner Jeremy Hosking. Some years ago this loco carried the 'Bristol Bath Road' nameplates so should feel at home under the 1876 B&E trainshed here. Picture taken on the 28th June 2018 by Guy Vincent.

Please see the above caption. Again copyright Guy Vincent

Bristol TM Up Siding Ground Frame Release 16.10.2019 Guy Vincent. Guy adds - Interestingly, despite the Bristol area being controlled from the Thames Valley Signalling Centre at Didcot it is necessary for Network Rail to provide a Ground Frame Operator to release and set the points at each end of the carriage stabling siding next to the Up Through line at Temple Meads. The signal ahead of the points cleared to green with a 'U' displayed in the box indicator before the points had been set for the train to depart. Such are the wonders of technology today!

Proof, if it were needed, that the extensive roof requires expensive repairs. This scene on the 23rd August 1991 Copyright Roger Winnen

2023 photograph at BTM

Bristol Temple Meads with masses of scafolding in place. We see 43184 pausing at the rear of 1V50 the 06.06 Edinburgh to Plymouth on the 13th January 2023. Copyright Guy Vincent.

890610a The Cathedral like splendour of the booking hall at Bristol. Copyright Roger Winnen

Bristol Temple Meads 890610l Bristol Temple Meads Booking Office. Copyright Roger Winnen

BRISTOL TEMPLE MEADS HERITAGE PART TWO

If one cares to walk along platform 6 at Temple Meads, these wonderful reminders of a bygone age have been safely preserved to recall the days when, at night, the station was a hive of activity with both BR and Royal Mail staff busy for hours upon end sorting, loading and unloading countless mail bags, brute cages and mail trolleys.   According to several old working timetables I've consulted the 2320 Bristol-Nottingham used the headcode 4M11.  The departure time seems to have varied over the years, I've found that in 1974-75 departure was at 2318, by 1978-79 and in 1980-81 it left at 2340.  Mail trains ceased to be handled at Temple Meads from 1997 when the new 'Hub' at Filton opened and the old site adjacent to platform 15 at Temple Meads in Cattle Market Road closed. This site first opened in 1969 with the former conveyor (demolished in 2015) added in 1971.  The third notice (image 4) has slightly deteriorated and the stations in the final group are Brentwood, Chelmsford and Colchester.

 I'll continue searching the platforms at Bristol TM to see what other historical artefacts are still in place from the 'old days'. 

Regards

Guy Vincent.  Many thanks Guy

BTM Platform 6 Notices (1) Copyright Guy Vincent

BTM Platform 6 Notices (2) Copyright Guy Vincent

BTM Platform 6 Notices (3) Copyright Guy Vincent

BTM Platform 6 Notices (4) Copyright Guy Vincent

   Temple Meads at Night in 1983    Clive Smith
Following on from the recent focus on the Bristol Temple Meads area by Guy Vincent and Craig, here are some night exposures I took in 1983. Always trial and error with film and the various nearby light sources or lack of them. Not to mention minor annoyances like moving people ! Rain and wet surroundings usually made for dismal day photos but following a good downpour and accumulation of puddles on the platform, some superb night exposures could be obtained.  

The small hours  of summer Saturdays would see a procession of overnight trains from the  north and the midlands to Newquay, Penzance and Paignton. On one night in August 1984 I noted eight inter-regionals heading west and two from London to Penzance. Temple Meads buffet was open all night to supply coffee to keep the sleep deprived enthusiasts awake and the station was a hive of activity with Royal Mail staff servicing the postal and parcel trains. The Royal Mail sorting office mentioned by Guy can be seen illuminated in two of the photos. 

(1) 50031 Hood heads the 22.25 Paddington - Penzance TPO postal on 9th July 1983 . A trolley laden with mail bags can be seen by the front carriage. The up and down postals would be platformed in Temple Meads at the same time allowing the on-board post office staff to transfer trains and return to Penzance  or London.

(2)  45077 waits to leave a wet Temple Meads with the  21.34 Nottingham - Newquay on 3rd September 1983.

(3) 37036 arrives with the 22.25 Newcastle - Paignton on 17th September 1983. This was replaced by a 47. 

(4) 45042 takes over the Sunday 15.52 Exeter St Davids - York relief train on 30th October 1983. Brutes can be seen on the opposite platform along with a trolley full of mail bags

                                    Regards,  Clive Smith    Many thanks Clive

Photo 1 Copyright Clive Smith

Photo 2 Copyright Clive Smith

Photo 3. Copyright Clive Smith

Photo 4 Copyright Clive Smith

Bath Road shed 47402. taken in 1987. Coming off Bath Road shed. It seems 5 minutes ago when I took this! Copyright Phil Smith

A picture taken outside Bristol Temple Meads on the 1st July 1995 shows the tram lines at the old tramway terminus still there in 2015. The trams had ceased to run following enemy action in April 1941. Copyright Roger Winnen

960825b The terminus of the trams at Bristol Temple Meads. The tracks were laid to standard gauge. Copyright Roger Winnen

Brunel's trainshed obviously in need of attention. Copyright Roger Winnen

Roof work in progress at Brunel's old station at Bristol on the 30th April 1983 Copyright Roger Winnen

Turning about and looking out of the trainshed - the old signalbox high up on the wall to the left almost escapes Mnotice. maybe one day soon this section of the station will serve trains once again, of the electric variety. Copyright Roger Winnen

                      The end of an Eyesore  
   Report by Guy Vincent dated 5th February 2019

Demolition work is now underway on the skeletal remains of the 1960s former Royal Mail sorting office next to Temple Meads station, Bristol.  The building was stripped out some time ago and now the reinforced concrete structure is being gradually 'nibbled away' by a tall excavator fitted with a large hydraulic claw. The claw grips and pulls/twists each concrete beam so that it quickly disintegrates and then the operator adjusts the setting to cut through the metal reinforcing rods within.   Jets attached to the arm constantly spray water to minimise dust and reduce friction.  If you have a spare day it's well worth spending time on platform 15 at Temple Meads watching this work take place.

              Guy Vincent - Many thanks Guy - all part of the scene - well it was!

Bristol TM Post Office Building Demolition (1) 5th February 2019 Copyright Guy Vincent

Bristol TM Post Office Building Demolition (2) 5th February 2019 Copyright Guy Vincent

Bristol TM Post Office Building Demolition (3) 5th February 2019 Copyright Guy Vincent

Steam at Temple Meads

GWR 2977 Robertson Built April 1905 and withdrawn February 1935 is seen here at Bristol in 1932. From the Michael Morant Collection.

GWR_4031 Queen_Mary 4-6-0 Built October 1910 Withdrawn June 1951. Courtesy of the Mike Morant Collection

Looking immaculate. Caladonian Railway 123 Built 1896 and now preserved. Seen here at Bristol 1953. From the Michael Morant collection.

BTM Old station Early 60's Copyright Sid Sponheimer

The Signal Box in Brunel's Bristol Temple Meads. 29th October 1977 Copyright Roger Winnen

Another view of the Signal Box above. 29th October 1977 Copyright Roger Winnen

Easter 63 as an unidentified Jubilee runs in with a parcels train. Copyright Adrian King

Copyright John Cornelius

Its the 30th of September 1962 as BR 4707 on Railtour Duties stands at Temple Meads. This loco hauling a frieght train was derailed at Highwirth Junction on the 12th November 1958 when it over ran adverse signals. This fine picture courtesy of the Michael Morant Collection.

Headed by a Hall, a train runs in from the west. Copyright Mike Roach

Bristol Barrow Road's 73015 runs into Temple Meads on Friday 11th September 1964 with the 16.18 train from Gloucester due 17.44 Copyright Mike Roach

One minute after the last picture 44839 prepares to leave platform 3 with the 17.45 to Gloucester. Copyright Mike Roach

73003 approaches Temple Meads in October 1964. Copyright Mike Roach.

A classic picture as we see a grubby Standard standing at Temple Meads. Train Spotters with their Ian Allen books stand on our platform, whereas opposite two slightly younger spotters just enjoy the scene. Will they remember this moment in time?? April 1965 Copyright Mike Roach

Seconds later and the train starts to move! April 1965 Copyright Mike Roach

The famous GWR 3440_City of Truro runs into Bristol Temple Meads. Picture taken by Michael Morant.

The crew of 6430 take a rest on a cold January night under the roof of Temple Meads. Both the engine and the water crane silhouetted have little time to go. January 1965 Copyright Mike Roach

It's April 1965 as an unidentified loco heads away north, watched by at least three photographers, Mike, plus one at the end of the walkway and another 'elbow' at the right-hand side. Copyright Mike Roach

7813 Freshford Manor_Built January 1939 Withdrawn May 1965 Cut July 65. Seen here at Barrow Road on the 6th February 1965. This picture courtesy of the Michael Morant Collection

A fine sight as 6435 and 7029 Clun Castle stand at Bristol 17th October 1965

It's 1965 as 7029 Clun Castle approaches Temple Meads with the last steam run. Copyright Mike Roach

The crew scrutinise the road ahead as 7029 runs into the platform with photographers crowded under the water tower. Copyright Mike Roach

Bristol Temple Meads 2nd October 1982 B45007 10.00 Bradford Exc - Paignton. Two young boys ponder the question 'Is this a steam engine' Copyright Clive Smith

Split headcode Peak 45144 at Bristol Temple Meads on Saturday 18th September 1982 Copyright Guy Vincent

Split headcode Peak 45128 with the 2B46 1615 Bristol TM to Taunton Sat 5th March 1983 Copyright Guy Vincent

For several years King Edward stood in the West end bay at Temple Meads, now preserved and looking smart once again. Picture by Sid Sponheimer - copyright

Modern Developments - the view to the North East from Bristol Temple Meads 21st November 2018 Copyright Martin Scane

Diesels at Bristol Temple Meads

From a schoolboy loco spotters collection - a Warship waits to depart on a journey west whilst a Peak comes off shed. Copyright Adrian King.

Congratulations to Adrian King who remembers from 1963 that this was almost certainly 805 Benbow. Copyright

Even vans were interesting: this example at Temple Meads. Remember the chalked destinations written on the outside? This picture from May 1970 Copyright Mike Roach

Mike Morant catches D856 Trojan either going on shed or coming off shed - difficult to tell with colour lights and no steam! From the Mike Morant Collection

And, what's this, it's the Bristol Pullman arriving from London. Note the gas holder, long gone. 1963 Copyright Adrian King.

The Class 52 Westerns have always attracted a lot of attention. These two D1051 Western Ambassador and D1023 Western Fusilier were no exception. Bristol's platforms have a sprinkling of enthusiasts - one guesses that these two were either coming off or backing down on the railtour train. Michael Morant has captured the scene nicely.

    A very unusual motive power event at Bristol Temple Meads.
                                                         A report by Guy Vincent 
Saturday September 1st 1984 saw the unprecedented sight of an almost brand-new class 58 loco, 58002, haul a failed HST set all the way from Birmingham New Street to Plymouth.  The HST working 1V87 1210 Liverpool Lime Street-Penzance expired in the Birmingham area and the only loco on hand and available at Saltley was 58002.   This took the HST forward and, despite other locos being present at Bath Road depot, control allowed it to continue westwards from Bristol with a pilot driver.  I had been returning eastwards from Paignton behind 45029 heading the 1M65 1608 Paignton-Liverpool but was told at Exeter that 58002 was en-route so decided to join it when it arrived. Despite a good non-stop run through Totnes and onto Rattery bank, performance suddenly began to tail off. Eventually between Wrangaton and Ivybridge the loco failed and we coasted to a halt. The driver had to walk down to the rear power car, 43149, get it going and then drive from the leading one 43131. Not only was 43149 powering the HST it was propelling the defunct 58002 (approx 130 tons) at the same time! The Saltley driver who was still on board remained in the dead '58' to observe signals and instigate braking as required.  By the time Plymouth was reached the class 58 had completely flat batteries with no power whatsoever available.  It was collected by 50038 and towed to Exeter from where 31202 took over and moved it up to Bristol Bath Road depot, via Castle Cary, Westbury and Bath.  The big question is, had 58002 not failed, would it have made it all the way to Penzance?

Approximate times of 1V46 on 01.09.1984

Exeter St Davids 1632 sch'd.   1715 approx

Newton Abbot    16/55 approx.  17/35 approx

Plymouth arr.      1731 sch'd.      1905 approx

On arrival at Plymouth there were several of us with no train home as the final eastbound service of the day, the 1700 Penzance-Paddington HST, had departed on time at 1855.  The station supervisor said he had a 5C86 1815 Newquay-Malago Vale ECS due in and this would be made available for travel to Exeter and Taunton only.  45040 duly arrived on a rake of mark 1 carriages that had earlier gone down on the 1V73 0911 Manchester Piccadilly-Newquay behind 47088 'Samson'.  Beyond Taunton 5C86 was routed via Castle Cary and Westbury and, having 'forgotten' to alight at Taunton I left it at Westbury where a short stop was made for crew purposes.  A 7-mile walk home to Bradford-on-Avon was then necessary!

Photos exist on Flickr of this working at Dawlish Warren, approaching Dawlish station and arriving at Plymouth with a further B/W image on the Taunton Trains website of the train waiting signals in platform 3 at Taunton.

Photo 1)  58002 at Bristol Temple Meads prior to departure for Plymouth (credit: Stephen White).

Photo 2) 58002 in derelict condition at the rear of Eastleigh depot on 15th April 2013.  It was later scrapped here. (photo GV).

Guy Vincent  
    Many thanks indeed Guy for your very detailed report of a most unusual incident back in 1984.

Bristol TM 58002 & 43131 1V87 1210 Liverpool-Penzance (From BHM to Plymouth) 1st September 1984 Copyright Stephen White

Eastleigh Depot, 58002 New May 1983, Stored 9th November 2000 (EH) 15th April 2013 Copyright Guy Vincent

33 323 on a Portsmouth to Cardiff service 28th August 1986 Copyright Roger Winnen

47 449 stands with the Royal Mail on the 29th May 1987 Copyright Roger Winnen

Peak 45010 ready to head the 0625 to Plymouth in June 1976 Copyright Mike Roach.

Its the 14th April 1982 and the Leyland National 4 Wheel Railbus stands awaiting a service to Severn Beach. Copyright Roger Winnen

The very new, and the old. It's 24 minutes to twelve and the prototype HST stands at platform 3 under the cavernous roof of Temple Meads. We keep in touch with older generation of stock as steam escapes from the heating system on the carriages opposite. Copyright Roger Winnen

A colourful scene as a 37 waits to depart. 2nd January 1996 Copyright Roger Winnen

A nice crisp picture as a 37, with steam heating on, waits to depart, possibly for Weymouth. Copyright Roger Winnen

A Class 33 arrives on a working from Cardiff and Dad chats to the driver - his son left in charge of the parcels!! 14th May 1988 Copyright Roger Winnen

What is the collective noun for a gathering of enthusiasts? Anyway here they are on the 14th May 1988 - with two class 33's laid on. Copyright Roger Winnen

Nicely framed through the arch, 33211 stands waiting to depart for Portsmouth, or Cardiff. 14th May 1988 Copyright Roger Winnen

Remember Red Star Parcels? Class 47 'Red Star' and the postal trolleys stand under the Royal Mail conveyor bridge at Bristol Temple Meads. 30th December 1993 Copyright Roger Winnen

       Two photos of Peaks taken at Bristol Temple Meads platform 10 twenty years apart.

1) 46037 having a change of crew working 1V81 0826 Bradford Interchange-Paignton on Saturday June 25th 1983.  Just 1 year later on 16th June 1984 46037 met it's end when a traction motor caught fire whilst ascending the Lickey incline at the head of the summer Saturdays-only 1E64 1037 Penzance-Leeds. 

2) 46035 on Saturday 15th March 2003 after arriving with 1Z46 0539 Crewe-Okehampton Railtour 'The Western Quarryman'.  46035 came off at Bristol and was replaced by D1015 'Western Champion'.  Sadly 46035's glory days appear to be over as it has been stored in a partially dismantled state at Leeds Midland Road, Crewe Heritage Centre and, latterly, Rowsley depot sidings at Peak Rail, Matlock. This was the first preserved diesel locomotive to work on the national network following the lifting of the ban on such movements by BR. 

Guy Vincent         Very many thanks to you Guy for the pictures and great details supplied.

Picture 1 Bristol Temple Meads 46037 crew change 1V81 0826 Bradford-Paignton 25th June 1983 Copyright Guy Vincent

Bristol Temple Meads 15th March 2003 46035 on 1Z46 0539 Crewe-'Western Quarryman' Pathfinder Tour to Okehampton. Copyright Guy Vincent

John Cornelius

Bristol Bath Road Shed
- Last Days
Steve Carter

Having read recently that the last trace of Bristol Bath Road depot's existence, namely the track work adjacent to Temple Meads Platform 15 (seen as it was in August 2015), had been removed came as something of a shock to realise that nothing now remains of a depot with which was familiar to me for so long.
My acquaintance with it began in 1980 when I would regularly pass by en-route to Exeter and then after moving to Weston-super-Mare in 1986, Bath Road (or BR as British Rail coded it) became 'my' local depot.
Surrounded by running lines to the West and rear and the River Avon to the East, attempts to get around the site proved almost impossible due to official access being via the walk way over the running lines at Temple Meads or the main entrance to the shed off Bath Road itself. Many was the time on going down the depot access steps that I would be walking back up them moments later!
In common with depots around the country, Bath Road saw a gradual decline in importance as traffic patterns and impending privatisation saw locos withdrawn or reallocated. By 1995 the writing was on the wall and in July of that year InterCity Cross Country pulled the plug on their locos being serviced at the depot. The two other users of Bath Road would follow suit in the same year with RES (Rail Express Systems) opting for a site at Bristol Barton Hill and InterCity Great Western concentrating on the adjacent St Philip's Marsh site. The depot finally succumbed to closure on the 28th September 1995.
Having taken many an image of the depot from the platforms at Temple Meads, I realised that time for getting pictures from within the depot confines was becoming less and on hearing that Cross Country were to leave the site I decided that maybe this would be my one chance to succeed.
Thus early on Sunday 23rd July I made the familiar journey from Weston to Bristol Temple Meads and duly made my way up Bath Road but this time with a different method of entry planned! Squeezed in between the rear of the depot and the avoiding line to St Philip's Marsh was an access road which led up to Bath Road (this was the main reason the depot kept its turntable in order to turn visiting delivery vehicles due to lack of space to reverse).
Donning a hi-viz vest I wandered down the road, under the Bath Road bridge and into the depot before making my way around to the front where I found the depot supervisor at work in his office. I fully expected to be given the boot but on striking up a conversation with him I was told to not make it too obvious what I was about and to let him know when I had finished - success at last!
I managed to secure quite a few images amongst which were some of 47.743 "THE BOBBY" which was involved in a severe derailment North of York the very next day.
As I left the depot I managed to take a picture of the gentleman who had been kind enough to facilitate my visit with the intention of passing it on by way of thanks. Unfortunately I never got to visit again before the depot shut and not having his details I wasn't able to send him the image.
I have listed the picture on a number of forums but to date haven't succeeded in finding any details for him so if anyone recognises the face then that would be great - with the advent of social media then maybe I can finally put a name to the face! 
​Please lets us, or Steve Know if you know him.  Many thanks to Steve Carter for his article and these pictures.
For Historical Details of the life of Bath Road Shed please click below :-  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bristol_Bath_Road_depot

Picture A:- Seen from left to right in front of the depot office building are RES liveried Class 47's Nos 47475 Restive, 47716, 47732 and 47743 'The Bobby. 23rd July 1995 Copyright Steve Carter

Picture B :- 47473 'The Bobby' applied at Bristol Temple Meads station on the 30th March 1995 (Name later transferred to 47746 but using newly cast plates) 23rd July 1995 Copyright Steve Carter

Picture C :- Class 08 08688 with non- standard numbers appears to be being used as a source of spares (Given that its official withdrawal date was April 1997). Fellow class member 08804 sits in front and went on to become one of the last of its type, being offered for sale by DB Cargo in September 2016. 23rd July 1995. Copyright Steve Carter.

Picture D :- 47815 seen filling the shed with exhaust as it prepares to come off shed after undergoing an 'A' examination. Alongside sits HST power car 43005. 23rd July 1995. Copyright Steve Carter.

Picture E 47508 once proudly named 'Great Britain' sits withdrawn at the depot before finally being cut up on site in November 1995. Also in the scrap line were 47527, 47509 and 47432. 23rd July 1995. Copyright Steve Carter

Picture F:- 47432 in faded large logo livery had been withdrawn as long ago as March and had obviously been used to yield spares for fellow class members. It was finally cut up on site in September 1995. 23rd July 1995. Copyright Steve Carter.

Bath Rd Supervisor. This is Lee Jewell Please the very kind supervisor who allowed Steve 'free range'. Picture taken on 23rd July 1995. Copyright Steve Carter.

More at Bath Road shed.

33015 and 33020 on Bristol Bath Road TMD Saturday 13th June 1987 Copyright Roger Geach

7094 7038 810 Cockade at Bristol Bath Road 16th August 1972 Copyright Ron Kosys

7094 Bristol Bath Road 16th August 1972 Copyright Ron Kosys

Bristol Bath Road, class 47 656 stands outside in 1988. Phil Smith wonders if, by chance anybody knows the HST number? Copyright Phil Smith

Ghosts of the past!! The modern 'clean diesel age' at Bristol Bath Road. 50045 Achilles Starting up on shed. 1989 Copyright Phil Smith

Bristol Barrow Hill Shed

Bristol Barton Hill on 25 December 2017. Three Class 220's and one Class 221 present along with Arriva Traincare's 08516. Copyright David Field

Arriva Cross Country Class 220's and 221 at Bristol Barton Hill Depot 25 December 2017 Copyright Dave Field

Outside the station

960825a The Brunel Terminus at Bristol, seen here on 25th August 1996. Copyright Roger Winnen. Note the Rhodesian Railways 4-8-0 no 390 featured below, which was on display through the left hand arch for a time.

The Victoria Street frontage of the original terminus station at Bristol Temple Meads. 10th June 1989 Copyright Roger Winnen

Stabled at Bristol Temple Meads is this African locomotive. 2nd April 1999 Copyright Roger Winnen. Note - Rhodesian Railways 4-8-0 no 390 was brought to the UK by David Shepherd and was based at Whipsanade Zoo for a while, before moving to the East Somerset Railway (See below). As the engine was 3' 6" gauge, a short section of special track had to be laid. In 1996 the engine moved to the British Empire & Commonwealth Museum at Bristol, where it formed an outside exhibit. This museum became insolvent and the loco moved for restoration at Tysley and is now in 2012 on display at NRM Shildon.

Rhodesian Loco at Cranmore on the 3rd July 1993 Copyright Roger Winnen

'The story - so far- at that time'. 3rd July 1993 Copyright Roger Winnen

Royal Mail Vans in the sidings on the approach to Bristol Temple Meads. The avoiding line via St Phillips Marsh is in the lower middle of the photo. 13th April 1998 Copyright Roger Winnen.

Temple Meads west end 31st January 1981 Copyright Roger Winnen

The Goods Yard Signalbox at Bristol Temple Meads. Copyright Roger Winnen

Bristol Temple Meads 870525a A Plaque at Bristol Temple Meads Station. Copyright Roger Winnen

A visit to Temple Meads on the 1st April 2001 - a snap of a bill board, from which a poster had been hastily torn off , revealed fares of the past in shillings and pence. Copyright Roger Winnen

East of Bristol Temple Meads the line crosses the River Avon. 13th April 2001 Copyright Roger Winnen

Bristol Temple Meads, West end. 2nd July 1994 Copyright Roger Winnen

The first of two routes to the docks .  
From Bristol Temple Meads to Wapping Wharf.  
Opened 1872   Closed 1964 

For more photographs of the route and a suggested walk, click here :-  www.bristolfloatingharbour.org.uk › Harbour Trails › Heritage Trails

John Thorn writes :- Among my grandfather's possessions was an 'aerial' engraving of Bristol. Now on my wall here, but this is the part with the most railway interest. (I am told one of the viaducts has an extra arch!). Best wishes, John. Picture Copyright John Thorn (This is a most interesting engraving showing the complex track arrangements at Bristol, in the centre of which lies Temple Meads.)

Reference the engraving above.  Note Temple Meads was much smaller at that time and that Bath Road sheds did not exist. To the extreme right the triangle comprises Feeder Junction, at the head of this is Dr. Day's Bridge Junction whilst the left hand of this triangle is East Junction. The lines heading north from here are those of the LMS Rly  towards Mangotsfield, for Bath, or the North. The waterway from the top left is the Floating Harbour whereas, lower down, the broad waterway crossing this view and leaving at the right is the tidal River Avon.  Pylle Goods yard is in evidence  at the centre of this view with the main line, Taunton bound, exiting at the left near the bottom. 

A close up of the relevant portion of the above engraving. Of great interest here is the Bristol Harbour Railways viaduct which carried the branch line at an elevated level alongside Brunel's Train Shed but diverging from it to connect with the steel bridge which carried the branch over Temple Gate. This bridge is seen below. Going to the left of this depiction the line carried on at a raised elevation serving Redcliffe Goods yard (Redcliffe Wharf) to Pump Lane where it entered the tunnel at Redcliffe. En-route the 242 yard tunnel passed under Redcliff Church graveyard and several occupants had to be re-interred. The line emerged from this tunnel to cross the waterway serving Bathurst Basin on a bascule bridge. The above is is a photograph of an engraving owned by John Thorn and kindly supplied by him. Copyright.

37025 Bristol Temple Meads 37025 on the High Level Siding to the east of the station behind P1 with an Ultrasonic Test Train. This short stub is all that remains of the line that used to lead to Bristol Harbour and Docks, crossing Temple Way at the foot of the incline leading up to the front of the station. Just 24 hours earlier 37025 was reported on the High Marnham test track in Nottinghamshire, testing the train that it is now working with. 11th December 2017. Copyright Guy Vincent.

From Bristol Temple Meads the line crossed over Temple Gate en route to the docks. 7th September 1988. Copyright Roger Winnen

The railway connection to Temple Meads which passed between these two hotels has been gone for thirty six years. The sign on the once elegant George RAILWAY Hotel indicates that it is ripe for development and will not occupy this prime position much longer. The statue gracing the front no doubt ended up in a skip, what a shame. The Grosvenor Hotel next door has no doubt suffered the same fate. The once busy railway crossed the road and passed between them. 24th April 2000. Copyright Roger Winnen

The alignment of the line from Bristol Temple Meads to Bristol Harbour at Temple Gates, after the removal of the bridge. 1st May 2000. Copyright Roger Winnen

The date is 2nd January 1993 and many buildings at Temple Gate have fallen (and their replacements are in the process of construction) but, for the time being, the continuation of the railway route towards the docks remains, which were carried on an ever lowering viaduct towards Redcliffe tunnel. Copyright Roger Winnen

The east end of Redcliff tunnel almost lost amongst rubbish, there is talk of reopening it as a walkway. Pictured as seen on the 5th September 2015 Copyright Keith Jenkin

St Mary Redcliffe Parish Church - the branch line passed under the graveyard in a tunnel at he back of the church. 25th August 1996 Copyright Roger Winnen

Bristol Docks 000501e The west end of the 242 yard Redcliffe tunnel on the route from Temple Meads. Copyright Roger Winnen

Redcliffe tunnel south end. Rails still in situ at the tunnel mouth. When the railway was in use a footbridge spanned the tracks here. 1st May 2000. Copyright Roger Winnen

Four short lengths of the former double track railway remain embedded in the cobbles of the footway at the east end of the former bascule bridge. 5th September 2015. Copyright Keith Jenkin

A new pedestrian bridge replaced the double track Bathurst Bascule Bridge. The road on the right of this picture, climbing away alongside the cutting, is Guinea Street. This picture is dated 1st May 2000 Copyright Roger Winnen

Another view from very much the same location taken on 5th September 2015 Copyright Keith Jenkin

 With the closure of the rail route from Temple Meads to the harbour, extensive changes took place beyond the former bridge, with a major sidings area (behind the granaries) being recovered and the land developed for housing.  Wapping Road, to the south of Prince Street bridge, was crossed at no fewer than five places: three close to the bridge and a further two where the double track 'main line', serving the docks, crossed. One such crossing is illustrated below.

This picture by Roger Winnen, taken on the 25th August 2002, reminds one of the 60's hit "The railroad runs through the middle of the house" !! Copyright Roger Winnen

990402a Prince Street Swing Bridge looking towards Wapping road. Three sidings crossed the road just after the bridge. Copyright Roger Winnen

The second of  two routes to the docks. 
From Parson Street via Ashton Junction and Ashton Swing Bridge to Wapping Wharf.  
Opened  1906   Closed 1987 

Ashton Junction looking towards Parson Street - the lines leaving the picture on the right hand side are for Portishead, the lines leaving the picture on the bottom are to Ashton Sidings and Wapping Wharf. 10th June 1989 Copyright Roger Winnen

A close up of Ashton Junction signal box, looking a little worse for wear on 10th June 1989 Copyright Roger Winnen

A view looking across the platforms of Ashton Gate station. The metals to and from Portishead go off to the left. The line to Wapping Wharf and Canon's Marsh is towards the top of this picture. The sidings in the centre of the picture are known as Ashton Meadows Sidings. The red brick building in the distance at the centre was the large tobacco warehouse of W.D. & H.O. Wills. The date of this picture is 10th June 1989 Copyright Roger Winnen

A short distance beyond Ashton Meadows sidings came Ashton Swing bridge, by means of which the branch crosses the tidal River Avon. This view is from the south end. 10th June 1989. Copyright Roger Winnen. N.B. The familiar faces caught by Roger's camera are of Keith and Valerie Jenkin.

Another view of Ashton Swing Bridge, this time from the north bank, also taken on the 10th June 1989. Copyright Roger Winnen. This bridge was once a double deck affair with a roadway passing over the top. The bridge opened on 4th October 1906 and was last swung open on 3rd February 1934 (Quote: Mike Vincent's excellent book - 'Reflections on the Portishead Branch')

Another view across the bridge. 24th April 2000 Copyright Roger Winnen

A view of Ashton Swing Bridge, overlooking the south end with a view down Clifton George beyond. The Clifton Suspension Bridge appears as a line across the left hand side of this picture. Cumberland siding passed under the northern approach to Ashton bridge and along the river bank to terminate near the locks. 24th April 2000 Copyright Roger Winnen

Beyond the north end of Ashton Swing Bridge there was a junction. A line proceeding generally north crossed the Floating Harbour before heading east towards Canon's Marsh.  This was the Canon's Marsh branch.  Interestingly, reference to a 1905 map shows the line to this location coming to what is best described as a 'head shunt', with the formation of the Cannon's Marsh line existing only as an 'intended route' as far as the Cumberland Locks. Ashton Swing Bridge and the route on to Ashton Junction didn't exist at that time.  The Wapping Wharf line turned east right away and followed the bank of the tidal river Avon (New Cut) for half a mile before passing under Cumberland road bridge to enter the Wapping Wharf area.

Bristol Harbour Railway -  into Preservation                                                  Courtesy of  Wikipedia

In 1978, the preserved railway was established as an element of Bristol Industrial Museum  using locomotives built in Bristol and formerly used at Avonmouth Docks. At first, it connected the museum with the SS Great Britain, but when commercial rail traffic ceased in 1987 the museum railway expanded to use the branch alongside the New Cut (River Avon).   When the Portishead branch was was relaid the connection at Ashton Junction was severed and the line recovered from Ashton Swing Bridge back to Ashton Junction. The Portishead branch at the former Aston Junction is now single plain track. 

Today the railway operates on selected weekends over one and a half miles. The railway is currently in use as far as B Bond and Create Warehouse (home to the Create Centre and Bristol Record Office, a mile from the museum. On the south side of the harbour the railway crosses Spike Island the narrow strip of land between the harbour and the River Avon , and clings to the side of the river as far as the junction with the northern branch at the Cumberland Basin. The former route east over the Swing Bridge is now the Pill Pathway rail trail and pathway. 

In 2006, the British Industrial Museum was closed and the site redeveloped into M Shed Museum of Bristol. The railway continues to operate between SS Great Britain Halt and the Create Centre, and in 2011 the railway became part of M Shed's working exhibits. 

In 2010, Bristol City Council, in partnership with other local councils in the area, proposed that the route of the railway should be used for a bus rapid transit route to serve the south-west of the city. In early 2013, a review of alternative routes recommended a route along Cumberland Road, Commercial Road and Redcliffe Hill as the best alternative. This change of route means that the rapid transit buses would no longer use the railway.

Copyright John Cornelius

This shot taken from a tour bus on 5th September 2015 shows the terminus of the Bristol Harbour Railway. The original line continued past the platform and around to the left over Ashton Bridge towards Ashton Junction. The route seen heading right under the road bridge was the Cannons Marsh branch. Copyright Keith Jenkin

Looking east from the bus, towards New Cut, the Harbour railway has a number of sidings. The waters of the New Cut can just be seen at the top left of the picture. 5th September 2015. Copyright Keith Jenkin

This picture from Vauhall pedestrian bridge by Roger Winnen, dated 2nd April 1999, shows the line coming from the Ashton Swing Bridge direction along the north bank of the River Avon (New Cut) 2nd April 1999 Copyright

A 2015 picture taken from the top of an open topper tour bus shows the Harbour Railway and also the pedestrian Vauxhall Bridge spanning New Cut. 5th September 2015. Copyright Keith jenkin

Another view from the same viewpoint, but which, having turned about, shows the line continuing on alongside the River Avon (New Cut) towards Wapping Wharf. 12th April 1999. Copyright Roger Winnen

The entrance to Wapping Wharf lies though this bridge. 12th April 1999 Copyright Roger Winnen

The lines leading into Wapping Wharf pass under Cumberland Road bridge. . Copyright Roger Winnen

At Wapping Wharf

Copyright John Cornelius

A smashing picture from the Michael Morant Collection of Diesel BR Class 117 DMU B430 down at Wapping Wharf on the 8th June 1985 A rare visitor from the 'outside world' a passenger train. Cornish viewers will be very familiar with this unit which ended up its days working on the St Ives branch. It seemed an ideal candidate for preservation but it was not to be, an electrical fire in one cab put paid to that. (That is if preservation was ever intended)

I took this one, early in my railway career. 0-6-0 Hudswell Clarke diesel, 'Western Pride' just runs around loaded air brake coal hopper wagons, at Wapping Wharf, it had hauled these from Ashton Jn. Likely a Peak or class 37 would have dropped the train at Ashton Jn. Coal traffic to this site ceased May 1987 and 'Western Pride' travelled on its own power to the coal depot at Filton Jn, with a BR pilot driver, by night. The last BR movement to the site at Wapping was late summer 1990 when a BR 08 bought some wagons and collected some rails from the quayside and delivered a Weltrol wagon fro Bristol industrial museum. Copyright Paul Stanford

This picture taken on Wapping Wharf shows the sidings and also, left, the lines leading out under Cumberland Road Bridge towards eventually Ashton Gate Junction. There were at one time eleven straight sidings here, each averaging about two hundred yards in length. 25th May 1987 Copyright Roger Winnen

Steam operates in Bristol Docks alongside the former Industrial Museum. Wapping Wharf is far right where Henbury can be seen operating. 25th May 1987 Copyright Roger Winnen.

At Bristol Docks the Parry People Mover giving the general public rides along the track alongside the Industrial Museum. Formerly granaries alongside Princes Wharf. 2nd April 1999 Copyright Roger Winnen

The Parry People Mover is dominated by the Fairbairn steam crane at Bristol Docks. 2nd April 1999 Copyright Roger Winnen

The Parry People Mover at Bristol Docks. 2nd April 1999 Copyright Roger Winnen

'Henbury' used on trains in Bristol Docks. Seen here outside the Industrial Museum. 2nd April 1999 Copyright Roger Winnen

The Mayflower Steam Tug awaiting the CRS party at Bristol for a tour around the docks. 3rd July 1999 Copyright Roger Winnen

Henbury with a Great Western brakevan hauls passengers alongside the wharves. 25th May 1987 Copyright Roger Winnen.

Another shot of 'Henbury' operating brakevan rides in Bristol Docks. 25th May 1987

A charming picture of Henbury on trackwork which is obviously undergoing change. 24th April 2000 Copyright Roger Winnen

An excellent view of preserved motive power alongside the floating harbour at Bristol.

Another unusual form of transport spotted in the docks at the end of 1996. Is this vehicle still around one wonders? Copyright Andrew Jones

Canons Marsh
This branch, stemming from the branch between Ashton Gate and Wapping Wharf, was carried across the Floating Harbour by means of a swing bridge adjacent to Cumberland Locks.

These views are from the 105 foot high viewing tower, built in 1897, for 400th anniversary of John Cabot's voyage to Newfoundland.

A view from Cabot Tower overlooking Bristol Docks - close by is Canons Marsh, the remains of the Gas Works are lower right. Across the stretch of water - the Floating Harbour - lies Wapping Wharf. Note the steam loco, probably Henbury, on the far shore, nearing the SS Great Britain Terminus. This view was taken on the 25th August 1996 Copyright Roger Winnen

Another view from the Cabot Tower showing the steel transit sheds of Canon's Marsh Goods Depot at the bottom left. Copyright Roger Winnen

Henbury near the east end of its run. 25th August 1196 Copyright Roger Winnen

Two views taken from Canon's Marsh looking towards the Industrial Museum.

Henbury stands outside the Framing Factory, Gallery and Tea rooms. 25th August 1996 Copyright Roger Winnen

A few shots taken on exploratory walks around the area. 

The roofless building in the background is all that remains of Canon's Marsh Gas Works, which closed in the 1960s when natural gas took over. This was Bristol’s first gas works, initially making gas from whale oil in the 1820s but later converting to coal gas. 1st May 2000 Copyright Roger Winnen

Canon's Marsh. 23rd August 1991 Copyright Roger Winnen

Canon's Marsh Goods Depot. 31st December 1994 Copyright Roger Winnen

Canon's Marsh Goods Depot. 31st December 1994 Copyright Roger Winnen

Restoration of Canon's Marsh Goods shed. The concrete building with the silver sphere attached to it is the re-modelled Great Western Railway goods shed, one of the earliest surviving reinforced concrete buildings in the UK. It houses the hands-on science centre Explore @t Bristol. 1st May 2000 Copyright Roger Winnen

Rails into Cannons Marsh Goods Depot. 23rd August 1991 (the building in the background is Bristol Cathedral). Copyright Roger Winnen

Canons Marsh Depot 23rd August 1991 Copyright Roger Winnen

Canons Marsh Depot 23rd August 1991 Copyright Roger Winnen

A restored weighbridge at Canon's Marsh. 1st May 2000 Copyright Roger Winnen

Another view of the restoration work at the former GWR goods shed. Copyright Roger Winnen

The loco sheds at Bristol

Bristol Bath Road

Rather a gloomy January outlook over the back of Bristol Bath Road Shed. The sun picks out the now long disused Post Office building and, to the right, the gas holders. 31st January 1981 Copyright Roger Winnen

Bristol Bath Road Sheds in April 1965 (5 or 6 types of diesel on show). Copyright Sid Sponheimer

Bath Road Shed, together with the signal box named Loco Yard Signal Box controlling the shed area. 14th May 1988 Copyright Roger Winnen

50019 Ramillies stands in front of 50046 Ajax at Bristol Bath Road. 6th August 1990 Copyright Roger Winnen

Plenty of variety at Bath Road Shed. This view also shows the large size of this shed. Picture taken on 23rd August 1991 Copyright Roger Winnen

Bristol Bath Road shed at night. 28th December 1993 Copyright Roger Winnen

St Phillip's Marsh

St Phillip's Marsh shed - the HST depot as seen on a gloomy day - 31st january 1981 Copyright Roger Winnen

A similar view to the one above of Bristol St Philli'ps Marsh and the avoiding line, but on a much brighter day. Note that the gas holders depicted above have disappeared. 28th December 1993 Copyright Roger Winnen

1365 on shed at St Phillip's Marsh in April 1963 Copyright Sid Sponheimer

It looks like 6408 is supplying steam for other purposes. Copyright Sid Sponheimer

A Cornish Castle. 5018 St Mawes Castle receives attention before leaving shed. Copyright Sid Sponheimer

BR 4700 at St Philips Marsh. the loco is looking pretty clean. From the Michael Morant Collection

Barrow Road

The old trackbed into Bristol Barrow Road depot. 11th November 1978 Copyright Roger Winnen

At Barrow Rd. Bristol 4th June 1965 Copyright Sid Sponheimer

Smokey days at Bristol Barrow Road in the early 1960's Copyright Sid Sponhimer

Bristol  Barton Hill

A Class 08 bringing in the Royal Mail from Bristol Barton Hill from the depot to Bristol Temple Meads, to enter service on the 4th September 2003 . Copyright Roger Winnen

Work being undertaken on Royal Mail stock at Bristol Barton Hill. 13th April 2001 Copyright Roger Winnen

Class 67's became associated with Royal Mail services in the last years of operation. Tailing the Royal Mail being drawn out from Bristol Barton Hill is 67 022. 4th September 2003 Copyright Roger Winnen

Clifton Rocks Railway

For more information try this link  :-  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clifton_Rocks_Railway

Clifton Rocks Railway The entrance of the Upper Station of the Rocks Railway at Clifton. As seen, somewhat choked with Budleia on the 3rd July 1999 Copyright Roger Winnen

This view emphasises the extent to which the Budleia rather spoiled the panorama on 3rd July 1999. Copyright Roger Winnen

The lower station From a post card belonging to Roger Winnen. Note the tramlines, for this was a tramway terminus. Just around the corner, beyond Clifton Suspension bridge lay Hotwells station, whilst a ferry provided a passage across the Avon - almost a transport hub.

Talking of  trams

Alongside the former Power House of the Bristol Tramway System. 24th April 2000. Copyright Roger Winnen

Bristol. Tramways Centre clock. This clock, we are told dates from the days of the tramways. 5th September 2015 Copyright Keith Jenkin

Colin Burges takes to his bike to visit the Harbour Railway and continues to visit Severn Beach areas

You may remember I caught one the two weekly "parliamentary" trains from Pilning back on 29th July 2017. Well, the day started with a wander around the docks, where there have been some changes in the last year. I was sad to see the end of the harbour railway lifted to make way for Bristol City's MetroWest busway.

This is how Ashton Swing Bridge looked on the 10th June 1989. The rails still continued to Ashton Junction with the Portishead branch and into Wapping Wharf. Copyright Roger Winnen

Under conversion, no sign of the former railway. 29th July 2017. Copyright Colin Burges.

This is how Colin Burges found the bridge after conversion for use as a guided bus way route. It will still be available to pedestrians. 29th July 2017. Copyright Colin Burges

Turning about, the view from the end of Ashton Bridge. The railway lines curved right towards New Cut and Wapping Wharf and straight ahead went to Canons Wharf. 29th July 2017. Copyright Coiln Burges.

This area is known as Butterfly Junction - for up to date information go to the Bristol Harbour Railway - click here

A passing place for guided way buses. 29th July 2017. Copyright Colin Burges

Motorists are warned not to be tempted to take a short cut. Drivers of off-roaders have been known to take their chances where these traps have been installed in other places. 29th July 2017. Copyright Colin Burges

Colin reports that he then followed the line around to Canons Marsh to see what has been done to the old goods depot. 29th July 2017. Copyright

Beside the floating harbour, some of the transit sheds are still standing, saturated with coffee shops. In one of the big open spaces, a woman came up to me and asked if I was lost. I showed her my 1918 25 in. survey and said that none of it looked the same. 29th July 2017. Copyright Colin Burges

We now move into the area covered by out 'Three routes to Severn Beach' section.

Pointing my bike in the direction of Pilning with the intention of catching the afternoon train, I realized that time had flown and so decided to take a short cut. Without having a timetable on me, I called in at Clifton Down to see what there was for Severn Beach. Considering that trains are two-hourly beyond Avonmouth, I was lucky that one was due in seven minutes. 29th July 2017. Copyright Colin Burges

Severn Beach station from the buffer stops. The line once alongside the far side of this platform continued to Pilning Low Level. 29th July 2017. Copyright Colin Burges.

Just before the Severn Beach passenger terminus a beautifully laid piece of track leads to a waste for energy plant on former Severnside Chemical Works. 29th July 2017. Copyright Colin Burges. In the middle foreground the Severn beach branch. In the background, across the Severn is Wales.

Looking on the far side of the bridge. The Severnside Energy Recovery Centre will be the destination for 400,000 tons of London waste per year. 29th July 2017. Copyright Colin Burges.

Continuing beyond the terminus at Severn Beach station Colin follows the course of the old line towards Pilning Low level. This branch skirted the rim of cutting leading down to the Severn tunnel. 29th July 2017. Copyright Colin Burges.

The above map together with the one above show the route out to New Passage Pier and the line on the pier together with the branch serving the Severn Tunnel Pumping station.

Looking across the Severn towards Wales - the end of the remains of New Passage Pier. 29th July 2017. Copyright Colin Burges

The notices alongside Colin's bike on the pier read. 29th July 2017. Copyright Colin Burges.

This is where the motorway cuts across the former branch line. 29th July 2017.Copyright Colin Burges.

The site of Pilning Low Level station. 29th July 2017. Copyright Colin Burges.

From Pilning High Level Colin caught a train to Filton Abbey Wood. 29th July 2017. Copyright Colin Burges

This is a fine example of a massive factory being developed far ahead of any rail transport provision. Lying just beyond the hoarding is the former Filton North. Copyright Colin Burges 29th July 2017

The disused Filton North station closed 1965 proposed for re-opening sometime!! 29th July 2017 Copyright Colin Burges

And finally back alongside the Floating Harbour this crane has been put to other uses !! 29th July 2017. Copyright Colin Burges.

Many thanks Colin for your report.