Photos from 1974

[AndyK]

I have just created a new Photopic page and uploaded a number of photos of Bristol railways, mostly taken in 1974. There are no captions yet, but I think most places will be readily recognised.

more photos will be added in due course.

http://andy-kirkham.fotopic.net/c834086.html

[simon]

Great photos, hopefully more to come.......

[madhattie]

Nice pics Andy!

I especially like the Lawrence Hill area photos. Where was the 37 going? Is that a waste train?

http://andy-kirkham.fotopic.net/p25112619.html

Don't recognise the wagons.

[madhattie]

http://andy-kirkham.fotopic.net/p25112619.html

Juts noticed the 'Full Size' button on each page. Looks better proper size. . .

[AndyK]

Where was the 37 going? Is that a waste train? .

If I remember rightly it was bringing in bricks.

[Portishead Prowler]

That's a nice set of photos!
The ones of Clifton Down look odd with all that open space to the side of it, especially as I'm not of an age to remember it looking like that!
What was the occasion that warranted such a long train at clifton:?:

[simon]

I would imagine it was a "monkey special" for the Zoo.

[AndyK]

I would imagine it was a "monkey special" for the Zoo.

Yes inded. Monkey Specials were excursions from South Wales to Clifton Down for the Zoo.

The Patchway-to-Avonmouth chord at Filton is apparently known as the Monkey Curve because it was used by these trains. This chord was only laid in the 1970's, although the earthworks already existed. Before that, these excursions presumably had to reverse somewhere.

[madhattie]

Before that, these excursions presumably had to reverse somewhere.

Quite often in Stoke Gifford yard:

http://www.bristol-rail.co.uk/stokegiffordjunction.php