This is the original forum of the Bristol Railway Archive that existed between 2003 and 2013. I finally rescued it after it seemed unrecoverable after a large crash. I have made it available for viewing. It is locked, all posts to the new version please!
I'm working on a huge single page map of the bristol/somerset railways at their maximum track layout, using the r.a.cooke books and google earth for accuracy, and will email you a copy for your site when done
Nick Howes, Peasedown St John.
P.S. Clutton Project (not going well at moment) - sustrans have apparently been given first choice of preferred route through clutton after our restoration plan was given outline planning approval. A case of the BANES planning department not talking to property or highways dept! (bangs head against brick wall)
nickhowes-sdjr-midsomer-norton.fotopic.net/
Google Sketchup, 3D creation for all ! precisely rebuild a demolished station with photo textures, walk through it, even export it to pc train sims!
A very useful and easy to understand national map, however I intend to cover norton fitzwarren to grafton and burbage and from westbury to cheltenham in maximum steam days detail with all trackwork as many people do not have knowledge, funds or access to detailed track maps and publications and would no doubt be fascinated to know how much trackwork has been lost, hence a huge 1 page "local" diagram is sorely needed.
50000 track miles and 20000 route miles have been reduced to 20000 track miles and 10000 route miles, so we've lost 60% of our permanent way in the last half century.
nickhowes-sdjr-midsomer-norton.fotopic.net/
Google Sketchup, 3D creation for all ! precisely rebuild a demolished station with photo textures, walk through it, even export it to pc train sims!
Update on 1940s-1950s Bristol Region track layout; Further to my initial posting at top, I have ôdiscoveredö the GOOGLE EARTH overlay tool. I am now going to draw in all the information from the R.A.Cooke GWR & BR Western region track layout diagrams onto google earth, showing the maximum track extent for each location, which would not necessarily have existed at the same point in time for each location, so you couldnÆt put a date on the final map. It will include all mileposts, gradient markers, stations, boxes, sheds etc and all private sidings, colour coded passenger and goods running lines and info on each location, accessible by all via a link to google earth ômy placesö. All suggestions on extra content or color coding requests gratefully received for ease of understanding. This will be the first time a full steam era track layout will be viewable in one place, including every piece of standard gauge track connected to the national network.
Progress so far = Long Ashton to Ashton Junction and Bath Road Shed. Will make visible soon so you can all follow the progress and watch the past reappear over the modern satellite imagery
Final stage 1 map
West to east Norton Fitzwarren to Grafton and Burbage
South to north Westbury to Cheltenham Spa
à à And everything in between GWR S&D (to Cole) M&SWJ (to Malborough) MR
nickhowes-sdjr-midsomer-norton.fotopic.net/
Google Sketchup, 3D creation for all ! precisely rebuild a demolished station with photo textures, walk through it, even export it to pc train sims!
