Item 2378
The Branch Line Society's
'The Paxman Quarrier'
Ian Thomas
26.04.2026
The Branch Line Society runs a number of railtours covering unusual and rare track, especially branch lines, and so it was that on Sunday, April 26th, they ran a tour titled the "Paxman Quarrier".
This tour, 1Z57, started from London Paddington at 08.20, heading west toward Bristol Temple Meads via Swindon, Badminton and Filton.
A short break was taken here before the train departed at 11.13 (as 1Z58) for the sought-after branch line from Yate to Tytherington (formerly to Thornbury until 1967).
The train was worked by "Grid" 56-103 leading and 57-306 at the rear from London. The train then reversed at Temple Meads, with Class 60 No. 60-099 attached at the front, piloting 57-306 along the branch to the quarry at Tytherington.
A break of just under an hour was taken here, and 60-009 ran around to the opposite end of the train and piloted 56-103 on what was now 1Z59, the 12.58 Tytherington-Bristol T/M.
We chose Iron Acton for photographs, as much of the line is enclosed in vegetation and tree growth, and it was the site of the former Iron Acton station.
The branch lost its passenger service in June 1944, quite an early closure.
More direction changing was necessary at Bristol to ensure that 56-103 was leading for the return to the capital. This was a very unusual train destination indeed.
This train, 1Z60, was the 15.04 Bristol T/M-London Kings Cross. I believe this to be the very first time that any train routed over the Midland line north from Bristol had a destination of London Kings Cross!
After negotiating the Camp Hill route, avoiding Birmingham New Street, the tour ran via Nuneaton, Leicester, Peterborough and the ECML to the Cross.
What a great day out for the punters, and the weather was more like late May than April, with sun and 21c warmth.
Photos are at Iron Acton station site, plus a picture taken here on a tour in 1959 with a GW Pannier tank and Standard 2-6-4T No. 80079, on a series of tours in 1999, plus a final bite at the cherry of 56-103 passing Cam & Dursley (just 200 yards or so from the former Coaley Junction station).
This tour, 1Z57, started from London Paddington at 08.20, heading west toward Bristol Temple Meads via Swindon, Badminton and Filton.
A short break was taken here before the train departed at 11.13 (as 1Z58) for the sought-after branch line from Yate to Tytherington (formerly to Thornbury until 1967).
The train was worked by "Grid" 56-103 leading and 57-306 at the rear from London. The train then reversed at Temple Meads, with Class 60 No. 60-099 attached at the front, piloting 57-306 along the branch to the quarry at Tytherington.
A break of just under an hour was taken here, and 60-009 ran around to the opposite end of the train and piloted 56-103 on what was now 1Z59, the 12.58 Tytherington-Bristol T/M.
We chose Iron Acton for photographs, as much of the line is enclosed in vegetation and tree growth, and it was the site of the former Iron Acton station.
The branch lost its passenger service in June 1944, quite an early closure.
More direction changing was necessary at Bristol to ensure that 56-103 was leading for the return to the capital. This was a very unusual train destination indeed.
This train, 1Z60, was the 15.04 Bristol T/M-London Kings Cross. I believe this to be the very first time that any train routed over the Midland line north from Bristol had a destination of London Kings Cross!
After negotiating the Camp Hill route, avoiding Birmingham New Street, the tour ran via Nuneaton, Leicester, Peterborough and the ECML to the Cross.
What a great day out for the punters, and the weather was more like late May than April, with sun and 21c warmth.
Photos are at Iron Acton station site, plus a picture taken here on a tour in 1959 with a GW Pannier tank and Standard 2-6-4T No. 80079, on a series of tours in 1999, plus a final bite at the cherry of 56-103 passing Cam & Dursley (just 200 yards or so from the former Coaley Junction station).
56-103 amidst the very early spring blossom at Iron Acton. 26.04.2026, copyright Ian Thomas.
57-306 brings up the rear of 1Z59 at Iron Acton. 26.04.2026, copyright Ian Thomas.
60-099 negotiates the former Thornbury branchline at Iron Acton. 26.04.2026, copyright Ian Thomas.
60-099 and 57306 at Iron Acton. 26.04.2026, copyright Ian Thomas.
56-103.at the rear of 1Z58 at Iron Acton. 26.04.2026, copyright Ian Thomas.
60-099 and 56-103 returning on 1Z59, the 12.58.Tyherington-Bristol TM. 26.04.2026, copyright Ian Thomas.
56-103 passing Cam & Dursley with 1Z60 - the 15.04.Bristol TM-London Kings Cross 1Z60. 26.04.2026, copyright Ian Thomas.
Cam & Dursley 56103 57306 on 1Z60 15.04 Bris TM - London Kings Cross. 26.04.2026, copyright Ian Thomas.
BR 80079 4MT Tytherington with 1Z41.. 20-03-99..(65)..
0-6-0 PT No 9769 on the RCTS Bristol & South Gloucs rail tour at Iron Acton..26-09-59..