The Bristol Railway Archive

What prompted that outburst?

I was at Bedminster Station poised to take a great first shot of Nunney Castle when I heard the deep throb of a pair of Paxman Valentas approaching from behind. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!.

There was nothing I could do as Nunney Castle passed by behind a blur of MkIIIs.

I arrived at the station early and spent time carefully choosing a spot; something different to all the other photographers there and without lots of weeds and graffiti etc.

Well you definitely got something different

Here's a couple taken by the wife. (I wa busy holding wriggling little kids!)







And these were sent to me by Mike P (thanks Mike !)

Saw some good views of Nunney Castle plus nine coaches - and a Brush 47 in POLICE livery too.

How about this for crafty viewing and looking after daughters at the same time?

1. Drop wife and older daughter to ASDA drive to Hallen Marsh Junction and see Nunney Castle (NC) steam around curve into St Andrew's Rd Station. Immediately drive to station and get views from footbridge of NC running around train. Also see "POLICE" liveried class 47 too. Go back to ASDA via Hallen for a nother quick peek, help load car as wife and daughter come out from weekly shopping!

2. "Off for a bike ride luv!" cycle up Portway and take up position under Clifton Suspension bridge to take pictures of NC running tender first on opposite side of Avon towards Portbury.

3. Cycle over M5 bridge to position on cycle track above Pill viaduct - fantastic spot - no traffic noise - and audible 4-cylinder chuffing from NC as she climbs up through Pill with 9 coaches across viaduct - click click - piccy's taken and cycle home.

4. Youngest daughter wants to try her bike without stabilisers. "I know a spot - no traffic" says I. Take wife, daughter and bike to Hallen where there happens to be a very quiet deserted road bridge with a large tarmac area alongside just right for new cyclists. Also happens to run parallel to railway line and lo and behold what should soon come steaming into view but NC followed by class 47 shortly after.

5. Middle daughter says will you go for a bike ride with me Dad? OK kiddo - go up Portway cycle path at just the right time to race NC as she goes up towards the Avon gorge.

Impeccable timing - and all thanks to the info on this site! (And a reasonably fit parent who likes a bit of cycling!)

Grayo59 wrote: Impeccable timing - and all thanks to the info on this site! (And a reasonably fit parent who likes a bit of cycling!)

I'm exhausted just reading that little lot! You must have clocked up some mileage!

I wouldn't dare suggest to my wife that I'll go and take photos of trains while she goes shopping..... she'd chuck the camera off the bridge and me after it.

I was racing around on my pushbike trying to photograph NC:

I first went to Bedminster Station but that turned into a right farce (read previous messages in this thread) so I raced the train to Dr Days Junction where I took a few photographs and some video.

I then raced home to upload the pictures and video and to get a drink, and then raced back to Dr Days with 4 minutes spare. Two minutes later I decided to go to Lawerance Hill Station where I took a few photographs.

I then raced the train to Bedminster Station but continued onto Parson Street Station where I took some pictures.

I waited at Parson Street but with 10 minutes remaining I decided to go to Bedminster Station where I shot some video. I then raced the train to North Somerset Junction where I managed to photograph it re-joining the main line and crossing Feeder Road Bridge.

I then raced home to upload the pictures and video and to get another drink. I intended to then photograph the train from the footbridge at the far end of the Freightliner depot outside of Parson Street, but I figured that was probably a bit difficult even for me.

I slept well that night.

APW wrote: I slept well that night.

I can imagine!

Don't know where you all get the energy from! If I so much as cycle around the block I'm left gasping for air....