This is the original forum of the Bristol Railway Archive that existed between 2003 and 2013. I finally rescued it after it seemed unrecoverable after a large crash. I have made it available for viewing. It is locked, all posts to the new version please!
Use this forum to talk about the railways in and around Bristol, or for any off-topic stuff you want to share. Also request photos and information that you are missing.
jules wrote: ..... although technically, was he trespassing on the railway or not? Where does the pavement end and the railway start in the case of a bridge? (You suggested cans of worms lol!)
Having had quite a bit of experience of land law with a local council and a housing association, I'll have a stab at this
The matter would come down to the ownership of the bridge and that would be dictated by maintenance responsibility. I suspect that the bridge itself is owned by Network Rail, and the road and pavement are adopted highway. If this is correct, it would mean that NR have to maintain the structure, whilst Bristol City Council just have to maintain the road and footpath. Being where he was, he would therefore be trespassing on railway land and it would be a matter for British Transport Police to nick him.
That said, I couldn't really see a row breaking out between BTP and Avon & Somerset Nick over who had to prepare the paperwork for the magistrates
I totally agree. Despite the fact that the line was clearly under possession, there will be those who perhaps don't have too much common sense who don't understand the principles and therefore think it is ok to track walk at any time.
If I was going on a charity walk certainly for any distance, I would probably wear trainers in preference to safety shoes. Totally unsuitable for track walking. Even if the cess is well maintained, there will be stretches where it is a bit overgrown or ballast has spilled into it and also areas where it is necessary to cross signal wires and point rodding. The natural tendency will probably be to walk either on the sleepers in the four foot or the sleeper ends both of which are flat and inviting despite being slippery. (Note: that's slippery not slippy as seems to have crept into BBC English of late).
Also, if you are going to walk in the cess, it is more than likely going to be in single file which is not very good if you are doing with a group and want to chat to each other as you go along.
Re, charity walk the entire line was closed to movements once the dmu had brought walkers up from mineheadand would remain so until a set time when it would proceed up line to collect stragglers from the intermediate stations where they should muster if they thought they would not reach the end before set time. we were advised to walk in cess and if crossing line to avoid standing on sleepers as they could be slippery, and signal cables.
A marshal walked at back of walkers to ensure line was clear and no stragglers or injured left on or beside line. there were also st john and other helpers posted at the stations just in case.
The Bristol harbour railway has a guard/lookout riding in guard van holding a flag alloft so driver is able to proceed safely. the flag is changed as train approaches platform by bonded warehouses or near ss great britain.
When my son was at school they went for visit to life skills center in one of the bonded warehouses, one display consisted of a panel of railway track suitably ballasted, they invited someone to stand near track and suddenly the noise of a train would make the poor unsuspecting kid jump out of his/her skin.
Gong back to the tram video, how do the points change the direction of a tram? I have stared at the remaining tramtracks at temple meads , but I cannot see any moving parts. This makes me think there is a way of controlling the bogie, or is the cheap cider doing its job?
acook wrote:Gong back to the tram video, how do the points change the direction of a tram? I have stared at the remaining tramtracks at temple meads , but I cannot see any moving parts. This makes me think there is a way of controlling the bogie, or is the cheap cider doing its job?
In the days of the Bristol trams (so my father told me - I wasn't around at the time ) there was a pointsman at appropriate locations who operated them manually. He particularly told tale of standing watching the young lad, little older than him as a schoolboy, operating the points outside the Cross Hands pub in Fishponds
) there was a pointsman at appropriate locations who operated them manually. He particularly told tale of standing watching the young lad, little older than him as a schoolboy, operating the points outside the Cross Hands pub in Fishponds