19th March 2022

19/3/2022

An afternoon at
Avoncliff
Guy Vincent

A couple of afternoon freights passing through the Avon Valley and John Rennie's fine Avoncliff aqueduct which takes the Kennet and Avon canal across the Bristol Avon.

The original aqueduct pictured was built by John Rennie between 1797 and 1801. The stone used came from a nearby quarry but was of very poor quality and the structure soon began to deteriorate, a noticeable 'sag' appearing in the middle arch. Repairs were made using stone from a different quarry and lasted until around 20 years ago when a major programme of restoration work was carried out by the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust. Prior to that work the aqueduct was relined with a long concrete 'cradle' to put an end to leaks from the canal bed when this section of the K&A was restored to use in the early 1980s. Avoncliff aqueduct is a magnificent structure, often overlooked in favour of its near neighbour Dundas Aqueduct just two and a half miles futher on towards Bath.

The railway passes through the canal embankment at the north end of Avoncliff aqueduct by way of a separate brick-built twin arch aqueduct. This replaced an earlier wooden underbridge in 1885 when the line was doubled between Bradford on Avon and Bathampton Junction (see photos already on the site in the Bristol to Bradford on Avon section).

Guy Vincent

1) 70008 heading east at this point with the daily 4O57 1329 Wentloog - Southampton Maritime container train. Still rather early in the year for decent lineside foliage colouring. Copyright Guy Vincent

2) 60019 half an hour later heading west with the 6B33 1335 Theale - Robeston empty fuel bogie tanks.

3) Copyright Guy Vincent. N.B. The sagging middle arch can be clearly seen in this view. 18th March 2022. Copyright Guy Vincent.

The afternoon sun shines through Avoncliff Aqueduct East Face. 18th March 2022. Copyight Guy Vincent.

A pleasant reminder of years gone by - back in the 1960's, when K & V J lived at Calne and often used to visit this charming spot near Bradford on Avon. On my last visit I distinctly remember the local black cat waiting for me at the top of the steps from the station and accompanying me on the footpath across the then dry aqueduct - ah memories! Many thanks Guy for reviving them.

A sunny works day on the Avon Valley Railway
Bitton
Paul Negus

Paul writes - This works train was in the platform in Bitton using the lines' resident 08 shunter and the Penzance Toad. Happily the sun is now shining on our efforts ...
Kind regards, Paul.

Bitton - the Avon Valley works train. (1) 18th March 2022. Copyright Paul Negus

Bitton Avon Valley. Works train. (2) 18th March 2022. Copyright Paul Negus. The 08' displays its life history.

The Avon Valley. Works train. (3) 18th March 2022. Copyright Paul Negus

Also stationed at Bitton is this former Penzance Toad brakevan, GW17484. 18th March 2022. Copyright Paul Negus.

Many thanks Paul.

Sign of the times at
Truro
Dennis Clarke

I was at Truro station today (18th March 2022) and couldn’t help noticing the spelling on a sign at the west end of platforms 1/2. 'Passangers' !! Unless it’s the Cornish way of spelling !! Regards, Dennis.