Lawrence Hill Station

[beflatbill]

Hi folks,
I am hoping to start a model railway loosley focused on Lawrence Hill Station in the `50`s.I was there in`01 and took pictures up and down line and from the LNER ? bridge. Any other info would be welcome including track plans ( would nineflovers O/S maps cover this ? }
Random questions, I seem to remember a coal yard on the Old Market side with slaithes and a weighbridge ? Were there any buildings on the roadbridge or were there just steps down to the platforms ? Am I right in thinking Easton road passed under the LNER via a very low and narrow arch ? Lastly does anyone have a photo of Max Willians`s fine shop ? Ta.......... beflatbill

[nineflover]

hi, ill send u the maps, whats yer email?

nineflover

ps the bridge was the LMS mainline from bristol to derby

[jules]

Am I right in thinking Easton road passed under the LNER via a very low and narrow arch ?

Yes it does. Still there. Easton Road crosses the GWR mainline on brick built bridge which is virtually parallel to the LMS rail bridge, about 100yds separate. The road then dips slightly (by the Plough public house, which is right next to the GWR line bridge), goes past the junction for Kilburn Street and the Easton Community Centre) and then goes under a narrow, low arch to immediately join Russell Town Avaenue. It has always been a dangerous and difficult junction and still is today. It is also prone to frequent flooding.

I seem to remember a coal yard on the Old Market side with slaithes and a weighbridge ?

Goods yard was there until the early eighties. There was coal and also brick (London Brick Company), some scrap metal and a cement terminal. I think there were seven or eight roads and a resident '03 shunter. This was in the sixties though.

Were there any buildings on the roadbridge or were there just steps down to the platforms ?

I can't remember any buildings on the roadbridge, but to the left of the station entrance were some interesting little wooden built offices. One was occupied by the coal merchant. Other noticable buildings in the area were: St Lawrences Church, Glass House public house, Earl Russell pub (still extant) and to the right of the station entrance, the magical Max Williams (I may have a several pics in a book, will have to dig it out). Also, not forgetting The Globe Cinema, just up the road from Max Williams.

Hope this helps!!

[beflatbill]

Many thanks Jules, very helpful.

[jules]

You're welcome

I've looked the books out I have with pictures. One is "Branch Lines around Avonmouth" which you can get from Bristol Books on Gloucester Road - it's frequently advertised on this website. It has four good pics of Lawrence Hill station.

The other is a book by some local historians called "Old Market, Lawrence Hill, Newtown and Moorfields". This also has four great pics of the station and goods yard.

Looking at the pics I can confirm that: There was a small building at road level on Platform 1 (up relief line). There was a very substantial footbridge (separate from the road bridge) across all four platforms (with a brilliant "Diadem" advertising poster on it). The signalbox (which I can plainly remember) was at the end of Platform 3 (up main, the relief line platforms were longer than the main ones). Next to the SB was a water column.

In the goods yard, there was a substantial GWR style goods shed across one road and next to it, a cement silo. The book also maentions the main traffic as: coal, briocks and scrap metal, with latterly cement (I was right )

Let me have your email and I'll try scan the pics and mail them to you.

[madhattie]

I've looked the books out I have with pictures. One is "Branch Lines around Avonmouth" which you can get from Bristol Books on Gloucester Road - it's frequently advertised on this website. It has four good pics of Lawrence Hill station.

Oi!!

That'll be The Book Cupboard on the Gloucester Road unless you want me bursting into tears I've even been known to provide the occassional cup of drinkable tea to people who've popped in to say hello.