Fishponds Station

simon · Post by **simon** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 10:30 pm

Found this one in my searches through the attic.

http://simon71.fotopic.net/p22357524.html

Post by **madhattie** » Fri Nov 04, 2005 12:07 am

Nice!

It seems to be impossibly busy with trains at both platforms and coaches filling the sidings.

I wonder what was going on?

AndyK · Post by **AndyK** » Fri Nov 04, 2005 12:04 pm

madhattie wrote:Nice!

It seems to be impossibly busy with trains at both platforms and coaches filling the sidings.

I wonder what was going on?

Fishponds was on the Midland line, yet the nearest train is formed of GWR stock so it might be a special train. Perhaps a Sunday school outing or similiar, to judge from the young people in their best clothes.

jules · Post by **jules** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 11:20 pm

Were the "sidings" at Fishponds actually sidings, or was it a four track station with the leftmost platforms (in the pic) being the incoming Clifton Extension railway from Ashley Hill junction?

I know there was a Kingswood Junction, but was it before or after Fishponds station?

Just a thought ... somebody will probably know

nineflover · Post by **nineflover** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 9:35 pm

the down bay platform was indeed for clifton down trains and a dead end road, but kingswood junc was 3/4 of a mile back towards temple meads. there was no up bay platform.

nineflover · Post by **nineflover** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 9:40 pm

yatton box last day was 30th jan 1972

Post by **madhattie** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 9:43 pm

nineflover wrote: but kingswood junc was 3/4 of a mile back towards temple meads. there was no up bay platform.

I walked this section last Sunday (taking pics natch..). It seemed like more than 3/4 mile!

I was surprised at how steep a climb out of Bristol it was. I mean, I've read about it a lot in quite a few books, but it actually -looked- steep when we were walking up it.

Loads of rats about too! Not particularly pleasant

nineflover · Post by **nineflover** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 9:49 pm

i bet it was quite a sight to see a jubilee at full cry with 14 on, on the 1 in 69 with the up devonian!....and the 4F or mickey mouse banker trying to catch up and give loose assistance, i mean, like a 5xp needed it ..not

martin bennett · Post by **martin bennett** » Sun Dec 11, 2005 9:44 am

I knew Fishponds station very well when I was a kid and a teenager. It was where I did most of my 'spotting'. It was NOT a four-track station. The two lines to the left of the island platform (looking towards Bristol) were sidings. Kingswood Junction was further towards Bristol. Fishponds was at the summit of a steep 'bank' from Lawrence Hill. Many trains, both goods and the larger express passenger trains, were banked in the rear up to Fishponds, usually by a 4F. The banker was not coupled and sometimes could not keep up with, let alone bank, the trains! I remember seeing a long express tear through in fine style behind a rebuilt 'Royal Scot' and noticing that the train was unassisted, which was unusual for so long and heavy a train. Then, a full minute or so later, a clanking, wheezing 4F arrived and stopped in the up platform, its driver and fireman falling about laughing in the cab. They then proceeded through the crossover outside the signal box and clanked and wheezed off towards Bristol - their task accomplished! - Martin Bennett

The Bristol Railway Archive

Fishponds Station

Fishponds Station

Sidings at Fishponds

Fishponds station