Portishead branch photographs
Kevin Jenkin
I enclose some (reduced file size) photos taken during a bike ride between Avonmouth, Portishead and Bristol last week. I expect most folk will be aware that the Portishead branch is being prepared for re-opening for passenger service. Here's a link to the Network Rail page on it:- The Portishead Line - Network Rail
and perhaps a more descriptive and interesting site:-https://www.portisheadrailwaygroup.org/newstation.html?utm_source=copilot.com
I should have researched more as I missed out on some easy to visit locations (Pill station, Portbury station and all of the line from the spectacular Severn Gorge to Parsons St), but it was a very hot day, and I was short of time having to catch the train back to Southampton. Is there a local correspondent who could keep a closer eye on things? Portishead station is to be built further east than in previous incarnations - which makes the line shorter, but that is in the direction that the town is expanding.
I can recommend cycling the path from Portishead to Bristol although it's fairly adventurous in parts.
Meanwhile the new station at Filton seemed to be very inaccessible at present, somewhere in the middle of a huge construction site centred on the airfield.
Another new station at Charfield, north of Yate, is under construction.
So there is a fair bit going on around Bristol.
and perhaps a more descriptive and interesting site:-https://www.portisheadrailwaygroup.org/newstation.html?utm_source=copilot.com
I should have researched more as I missed out on some easy to visit locations (Pill station, Portbury station and all of the line from the spectacular Severn Gorge to Parsons St), but it was a very hot day, and I was short of time having to catch the train back to Southampton. Is there a local correspondent who could keep a closer eye on things? Portishead station is to be built further east than in previous incarnations - which makes the line shorter, but that is in the direction that the town is expanding.
I can recommend cycling the path from Portishead to Bristol although it's fairly adventurous in parts.
Meanwhile the new station at Filton seemed to be very inaccessible at present, somewhere in the middle of a huge construction site centred on the airfield.
Another new station at Charfield, north of Yate, is under construction.
So there is a fair bit going on around Bristol.
From M5 Bridge - Tracks serving Royal Portbury docks which won't be part of the re-opened line. May 2026, copyright Kevin Jenkin.
Towards Portishead from M5 bridge - will be part of the re-opened branch. May 2026, copyright Kevin Jenkin.
Marsh Lane bridge refurbishment. May 2026, copyright Kevin Jenkin.
Sheepway Lane (west) bridge - view east. May 2026, copyright Kevin Jenkin.
Sheepway Lane (west) bridge - view west - Portishead station will be in the distance. May 2026, copyright Kevin Jenkin.
What used to be a level crossing at The Quays in western Portishead - the road will be moved and this will be part of the station site. May 2026, copyright Kevin Jenkin.
The view east from The Quays where the new Portishead station will be built - this will be the middle of the platform. May 2026, copyright Kevin Jenkin.
Excellent stuff Kevin - many thanks indeed for the fantastic photos. It will be great to see this line returned to use, hopefully not too much longer to wait.
From a Track Monitor Train, to a Civil Engineer's Train, to “The Whistling Ghost”
Ian Thomas
An interesting and perhaps diverse couple of train movements with an historic link to summer Saturdays in the early 1960s.
It all kicked in last Wednesday (May 27th) in the late afternoon. A consultation of REALTIME TRAINS showed two southbound workings over the Midland line to Bristol. First up was ex-Class 153 Sprinter No. 153379, now a track condition monitor train, working 2Q45, the 10.39 Haverfordwest to Bristol Kingsland Road. This is now in light blue livery, and the destination board was showing “CLEETHORPES”.
This, as ever, got me thinking back to a 1950s/60s summer Saturday when a very different type of train passed this spot, itself running all the way to and from Cleethorpes. Indeed, the 07.00 Cleethorpes–Exmouth/Sidmouth (reporting number 1092), as shown in the 1962 WTT (Gloucester District Passenger Trains), dated June 18th to September 9th. The northbound train was the 10.42 Exmouth/Sidmouth–Cleethorpes (reporting number 1E59).
This was the final summer of Somerset & Dorset traffic via Standish Junction, all finishing on September 8th, 1962.
Next in the lineup was 66150 with 6W60, a train of track panels.
Third up was GWR Castle 5043 “EARL OF MOUNT EDGECOMBE” with a Vintage Trains tour, the 07.50 Birmingham Snow Hill to Minehead, “THE WHISTLING GHOST” (reporting number 1Z43). Yet another throwback to when the Honeybourne line produced a good number of Saturdays-only holiday trains.
Indeed, the above 1962 WTT shows a 12.45 Minehead/Ilfracombe–Wolverhampton Low Level (reporting number 1H28) on the up, and the 10.55 Wolverhampton–Minehead/Ilfracombe (1C85) on the down.
Enjoy the pictures and, as a bonus, a picture of BR Standard Class 7 Britannia No. 70045 Lord Rowallan passing Coaley Junction on Saturday, July 3rd, 1965, on 1V53, the 08.00 Wolverhampton Low Level–Minehead/Ilfracombe. (Wolverhampton Low Level was transferred to the London Midland Region in 1963.)
The photograph was taken by the late Gilroy Kerr, the ex-signalman on duty that day. ENJOY.
It all kicked in last Wednesday (May 27th) in the late afternoon. A consultation of REALTIME TRAINS showed two southbound workings over the Midland line to Bristol. First up was ex-Class 153 Sprinter No. 153379, now a track condition monitor train, working 2Q45, the 10.39 Haverfordwest to Bristol Kingsland Road. This is now in light blue livery, and the destination board was showing “CLEETHORPES”.
This, as ever, got me thinking back to a 1950s/60s summer Saturday when a very different type of train passed this spot, itself running all the way to and from Cleethorpes. Indeed, the 07.00 Cleethorpes–Exmouth/Sidmouth (reporting number 1092), as shown in the 1962 WTT (Gloucester District Passenger Trains), dated June 18th to September 9th. The northbound train was the 10.42 Exmouth/Sidmouth–Cleethorpes (reporting number 1E59).
This was the final summer of Somerset & Dorset traffic via Standish Junction, all finishing on September 8th, 1962.
Next in the lineup was 66150 with 6W60, a train of track panels.
Third up was GWR Castle 5043 “EARL OF MOUNT EDGECOMBE” with a Vintage Trains tour, the 07.50 Birmingham Snow Hill to Minehead, “THE WHISTLING GHOST” (reporting number 1Z43). Yet another throwback to when the Honeybourne line produced a good number of Saturdays-only holiday trains.
Indeed, the above 1962 WTT shows a 12.45 Minehead/Ilfracombe–Wolverhampton Low Level (reporting number 1H28) on the up, and the 10.55 Wolverhampton–Minehead/Ilfracombe (1C85) on the down.
Enjoy the pictures and, as a bonus, a picture of BR Standard Class 7 Britannia No. 70045 Lord Rowallan passing Coaley Junction on Saturday, July 3rd, 1965, on 1V53, the 08.00 Wolverhampton Low Level–Minehead/Ilfracombe. (Wolverhampton Low Level was transferred to the London Midland Region in 1963.)
The photograph was taken by the late Gilroy Kerr, the ex-signalman on duty that day. ENJOY.
153379 at Coaley working 2Q45 - the 10.39.Haverfordwest-Bristol Kingsland Rd test train. 27.05.2026, copyright Ian Thomas.
66150 passing Cam & Dursley with 6W60 - the 15.45 Gloucester New Yard-Westbury. 27.05.2026, copyright Ian Thomas.
5043 passes Coaley with 'The Whilsting Ghost', 1Z43 - 07.50 Birmingham SH-Minehead. 30.05.2026, copyright Ian Thomas.
5043 passes Coaley with 'The Whilsting Ghost', 1Z43 - 07.50 Birmingham SH-Minehead. 30.05.2026, copyright Ian Thomas.
5043 passes Coaley with 'The Whilsting Ghost', 1Z43 - 07.50 Birmingham SH-Minehead. 30.05.2026, copyright Ian Thomas.
70045 Lord Rowallan at Coaley Jnc on the 08.00 Wolverhampton-Ilfracombe/Minehead. 03.07.1965, copyright the late Gilroy Kerr.
Many thanks Ian, some interesting history and a nice selection of photos - much appreciated.
Westbury 'Grid'
Michael Adams
Great pictures on the site, thanks to all. Here is a shot taken by Michael Adams at Westbury on 4 September 1985 showing 56031 'Merehead' with a p/way train. This loco. or most of it, can still be seen on the Network,running as the first rebuild in the class 69 project--69001. Copyright Michael Adams.
Thank you very much both to Michael Adams and Michael Forward for this one.
Recent heritage traction
Steve Clark
D1015 'Western Champion' could certainly be heard before it came into view at Cullompton and blasted past the Gallery of 5 on full chat with the return run of the 1Z37 'Golden Hind' Plymouth to Paddington. 23.05.2026, copyright Steve Clark.
A fortuitous gap in my day allowed me a quick trip to Parkway to witness the early running 5Z31 Derby RTC to Penzance formed of Loram liveried 37418 'An Comunn Gàidhealach' hauling inspection saloon 'Caroline'. On a filthy day i decided to try and get some colour in the image and thought how nicely the Roses in the flowerbeds at Parkway matched the livery of the 37. They say a week is a long time in politics, the same could be said of the British weather. This time last week we were melting in a heatwave yet today was back to the expected 'Liquid Sunshine'!! 01.06.2026, copyright Steve Clark.
Many thanks Steve
A Dawlish Holiday
Roger Salter
1Z07 0552 Northampton-Kingswear, no.60007 Sir Nigel Gresley at Langstone Rock. 09.05.2026, copyright Roger Salter.
Britannic Explorer leaves Dawlish Warren loop, no.'s 66744 & 66748. 09.05.2026, copyright Roger Salter.
Sir Nigel Gresley at Eastdon on return leg. 09.05.2026, copyright Roger Salter.
1E63 1527 Plymouth –Leeds in new livery at Eastdon. 14.05.2026, copyright Roger Salter.
6M53 1146 Parkandillick-Cliffe Vale at Eastdon no 66712. 14.05.2026, copyright Roger Salter.
1Z12 0635 York-Penzance, Blue Pullman,43058& 43059 at Eastdon. 15.05.2026, copyright Roger Salter.
Looks like you had a good trip, Roger - many thanks for the photos.
Okehampton Interval
James Bown
An always enjoyable trip to Okehampton yesterday to the excellent buffet for lunch. Perfect scenery and trains on time.
Looking towards Meldon from Okehampton, the footbridge sadly still minus a roof following storm damage. 03.06.2026, copyright James Bown.
A Class 158 awaits departure for Exeter at Okehampton. 03.06.2026, copyright James Bown.
Many thanks James, a lovely station.
June 1976
Part 4
Roger Winnen
An early-morning Class 47 hauled service arriving at Penzance. 06.06.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
Laying the foundations for the new shed at Long Rock. 06.06.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
Laying the foundations for the new shed at Long Rock. 06.06.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
Laying the foundations for the new shed at Long Rock. 06.06.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
D1022 Western Sentinel arrives at Penzance. 06.06.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
Roger Geach writes:
1022 at Penzance was on the 1B15 1030 Paddington - Penzance.
1022 at Penzance was on the 1B15 1030 Paddington - Penzance.