Pilning
Simplest timetable?
Colin Burges
Simplest timetable?
Colin Burges
A thirty-mile cyclo-ramble around Bristol on Saturday took in Pilning to catch one of its two "parliamentary" trains of the week. I was the only passenger boarding but three fellas detrained and promptly took photos, suggesting that they were enthusiasts of a sort.
The march of the "catenary" is long past Pilning. You may have heard that the footbridge was taken away in November to avoid having to raise it. Friends of Suburban Bristol Railways claim that this saved c. £650,000 but a scheme to replace it now would have to start from scratch and go through Network Rail's G.R.I.P., meaning that a new bridge would cost c. £5-million.
The march of the "catenary" is long past Pilning. You may have heard that the footbridge was taken away in November to avoid having to raise it. Friends of Suburban Bristol Railways claim that this saved c. £650,000 but a scheme to replace it now would have to start from scratch and go through Network Rail's G.R.I.P., meaning that a new bridge would cost c. £5-million.
Pilning station and Colin's chariot. 29th July 2017 Copyright
Amazingly, the friends group has posted ideas for days out from the station, even though it's impossible to get back by train. A determined soul could catch the first one and return via Severn Tunnel Junction. 29th July 2017 Copyright Colin Burges
Campaigners have been allowed to make their protest on the Down platform, disused since November. 29th July 2017 Copyright Colin Burges
Is this the carriage shoot used by the train ferry service. Did this continue until 1966, when the first Severn Bridge opened? (YES) Network Rail has an electrification works compound here?
Colin's ticket, excellent value for money compared with the fares for ordniary mortals. Bristol Temple Meads to Pilning (Via Newport) £20.30 and Cardff to Pilning £11.20, Both are single fares, no return tickets available. Copyright Colin Burges
There is much strong campaigning work detailed on these pages:
http://www.fosbr.org.uk/
Best wishes, Colin Many thanks indeed Colin.
http://www.fosbr.org.uk/
Best wishes, Colin Many thanks indeed Colin.
Carn Brea
Roy Hart
Roy Hart
A gem of the past. Copyright Roy Hart
4086 Builth Castle of Laira shed, hauls an immacculate Cornish Riviera Express through Carn Brea in 1954. Mark 1 coaches had just been introduced. Note the two old, heavyweight dining cars in the middle of the train. Carn Brea Station box (closed a few months before) lies behind. Many thanks Roy.
North Cornwall
Farewell Railtour
Farewell Railtour
On the 1st October 1966 a farewell railtour ran covering the North Cornwall line. Running from Plymouth it called at Bodmin General and North, then Padstow and through to Halwill, Bude and thnce to Okehampton. Nigel Brodrick is researching this railtour and in particular the section between Halwill and Bude. I luckily have a few poor images of the railtour taken with a half frame camera on our North Cornwall section - can anyone help please with more pictures of this railtour and any memories. Many thanks KJ.
North Cornwall Railtour stands at Bude on the 1st October 1966. Copyright Keith Jenkin.
Yeovil Junction
John Cornelius
John Cornelius
Copyright John Cornelius