The Bristol Railway Archive

madhattie wrote:Nikon? The D40x is a very tempting bit of kit.

The Nikon D40 is on special offer at the moment - Nikon are doing a cash back offer on it which if you buy it on the web can push the price sub ú280. Not exactly pin money but considering it was nearly ú500 when it came out....


Changing the subject slightly this was posted on the Freightmaster forum:
This is just a word or warning for any potential visitors to that lovely station near Bristol.

I paid a very heavy price for going there today to film the Bristol Charity tour with the 31s and 50.

I finished filming around 1200hrs, broad daylight that is, walked over the footbridge to return to my car when I was set on by 2 Asian youths who not just stole my phone also my camcorder and tripod all of which are worth over ú1000 let alone the footage I've taken in the last 4-6 weeks. I was dragged to the ground and set on, somehow or other i escaped with cuts and bruises and a big bump on my forehead courtesy of a boot in the face. I was able to get up straightaway and find a serviceable payphone to ring the police. I've made a statement for what it's worth and I've also contacted the Bristol Evening Post who may run the 'story'.

I won't engage on a law and order debate but please avoid this station when it's quiet as there are no cameras but plenty of low life.

A very costly and frightening day and something I've never been on the receiving end before.
I have to say I would think twice before gonig there on my own with that kind of kit - but not at all pleasant to say the least.

Where exactly is that lovely station it just says near Bristol?

I get twitchy about leaving the car at Pilning and St Andrews Road!

simon wrote: Changing the subject slightly this was posted on the Freightmaster forum:
This is just a word or warning for any potential visitors to that lovely station near Bristol.

I've just got home from work so will reply to other things later, but grief! Which station was this Simon? I think you've cut out the name from the post.

simon wrote: Changing the subject slightly this was posted on the Freightmaster forum:
This is just a word or warning for any potential visitors to that lovely station near Bristol.

I paid a very heavy price for going there today to film the Bristol Charity tour with the 31s and 50.

I finished filming around 1200hrs, broad daylight that is, walked over the footbridge to return to my car when I was set on by 2 Asian youths who not just stole my phone also my camcorder and tripod all of which are worth over ú1000

I think I could have reasonable guess at the location, but did the poor guy actually say at which station this happened?

(I've never heard of an enthusiast getting into this sort of trouble in the Glasgow area)

Sorry missed that bit out!

Stapleton road

simon wrote:Sorry missed that bit out!

Stapleton road

I was speaking to a bloke from EWS while we were waiting for the tour at Hallen (from about 11:40 till 12:15). He was on the phone to a colleague of his who was at Stapleton Road when he got 'cut-off', he tried calling him back but wasn't successful. Think this must be the same guy.

I hope nobody minds, but I've spilt this from the Coal Stone thread. Mostly because that particular thread is just so positive whereas this brings it crashing down!

I didn't particularly want Andy to come online and see the thread about his efforts turn sour.

So, as to Stapleton Rd. This particular station has such an horrific history of muggings that it really is about time CCTV was installed. Preferably with someone monitoring it at all times.

Good shout Pete

Wasn't Stapleton Road voted the most likely station (on the entire network?) at which to suffer a mugging (or worse)? The station, as well as the road it is named after, have a reputation that spreads much further than "local knowledge". It's not really a place you should be hanging around, let alone with expensive gear.

My sympathy goes out to...whoever it was...but it's hardly surprising. I wouldn't dream of going there.

Yes Pete you were right to shift it.

I should have started a new thread.

It does I think show the potential problem of going somewhere new and on your own.

Cheers Simon, glad you didn't mind. First time I've split a thread, so glad to see it actually worked!

James wrote:Wasn't Stapleton Road voted the most likely station (on the entire network?) at which to suffer a mugging (or worse)? The station, as well as the road it is named after, have a reputation that spreads much further than "local knowledge". It's not really a place you should be hanging around, let alone with expensive gear.

My sympathy goes out to...whoever it was...but it's hardly surprising. I wouldn't dream of going there.

Both myself and my gf had the unfortunate pleasure of waint 15mins for a train to Clifton here once at 8 in the evening...British Transport Police pitched up and stood chatting with us and waited for us to get on the train. If we had time would have gone into BTM and will certainly not get off there again!

I would imagine there are a number of places on the network that are as bad, its just a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

madhattie wrote:So, as to Stapleton Rd. This particular station has such an horrific history of muggings that it really is about time CCTV was installed. Preferably with someone monitoring it at all times.

I could be at risk of becoming a bore with comparisons between public transport in Bristol and Glasgow, but whenever I come down south, I cannot miss the glaring contrasts between the two. Up here, there is not a station on the whole Strathclyde network that is not bristling with CCTV cameras, no matter how small the station, or how genteel the neighbourhood.

I guess it's to do with the perception that the Glasgow region is "deprived" and so get limitless dosh, while Bristol is seen as "prosperous" so it's every man for himself.

There was a very pertinent comment on another newsgroup (sparked off by recent events at Montpelier station) that whenever you see a station adorned with "community" murals, its a clear sign that it's a seriously scary place - Abandon Hope All Ye Who Enter Here.

AndyK wrote:There was a very pertinent comment on another newsgroup (sparked off by recent events at Montpelier station) that whenever you see a station adorned with "community" murals, its a clear sign that it's a seriously scary place - Abandon Hope All Ye Who Enter Here.

Er...I said that here.

James wrote:

AndyK wrote:There was a very pertinent comment on another newsgroup (sparked off by recent events at Montpelier station) that whenever you see a station adorned with "community" murals, its a clear sign that it's a seriously scary place - Abandon Hope All Ye Who Enter Here.

Er...I said that here.

Sorry James - my mistake!