Went to Cardiff today. What a treat, semaphore signals in Wales still in use. they look incredibly old fashioned now.
The question is.... before Pilning station on the Bristol side there seems to be an extensive area of sidings that have been abandoned but the track hasn't been lifted. They are heavily overgrown now, does anyone know what they were used for and when.
Ps any more pictures in the vicinity of the oil terminal on the old Midland main line near Westerleigh would be greatly appreciated
Fantastic site. Why am I so interested in Bristols railways I live in London
Pilning station sidings
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Guest
Hi Mark
From what I know back in the days of steam, these sidings were often used to hold some of the banking engines that used to climb the long slog up the incline from Severn Tunnel Exit through Pilning and on to Patchway. As they climbed the hill the engine was 'tacked' onto the back and made its way up to Patchway where once at the brow peeled off into a holding line where 3-4 locos would make the coupled up journey back to Pilning.
As you pass Patchway (Bristol Bound) the overgrown area to the rear of the station was the area the locos were held. Wales bound as you exit Patchway the road that runs adjacent to the railway line is the old holding yard area and extended as far back as the sports centre/ rugby club.
In the later years I remeber a Lomac (or similar) being stabled in the bay platform at Pilning for Fire Evacuation use in the tunnel. The yard you mention further up the line has been used for holding engineers stock on weekend shut down of the tunnel or when maintainance activities have taken place, could be a potential reason why it has never been removed.
Highly recomend a visit to Pilning if you get the chance.... I remember when you fequently used to catch a glimps of double headed 37s pounding out the tunnel and climbing the hill......just dont hang about as the Dean & Dyball guys dont make you feel the most welcome these days!
From what I know back in the days of steam, these sidings were often used to hold some of the banking engines that used to climb the long slog up the incline from Severn Tunnel Exit through Pilning and on to Patchway. As they climbed the hill the engine was 'tacked' onto the back and made its way up to Patchway where once at the brow peeled off into a holding line where 3-4 locos would make the coupled up journey back to Pilning.
As you pass Patchway (Bristol Bound) the overgrown area to the rear of the station was the area the locos were held. Wales bound as you exit Patchway the road that runs adjacent to the railway line is the old holding yard area and extended as far back as the sports centre/ rugby club.
In the later years I remeber a Lomac (or similar) being stabled in the bay platform at Pilning for Fire Evacuation use in the tunnel. The yard you mention further up the line has been used for holding engineers stock on weekend shut down of the tunnel or when maintainance activities have taken place, could be a potential reason why it has never been removed.
Highly recomend a visit to Pilning if you get the chance.... I remember when you fequently used to catch a glimps of double headed 37s pounding out the tunnel and climbing the hill......just dont hang about as the Dean & Dyball guys dont make you feel the most welcome these days!
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Guest
Pilning station sidings
The lifted bay on the up side used to be used for end-loading cars onto carflats for transport through the tunnel in the days before the Severn Bridge. Not sure when this service ceased, but I'm sure it was pre-1966