Railtour - THE PORTBURY DOCKER

[Paul G]

THE PORTBURY DOCKER
Saturday 04 October 2008
This Forgotten Tracks excursion of the Bristol area features the recently re-opened freight-only line to Portbury as well as the loop from Narroways Hill Junction through Avonmouth to Filton. We therefore travel beneath the two great bridges in the region, the classic Clifton Suspension Bridge and of course the dramatic modern Severn Bridge itself.

Departure is from Stevenage at 07.30 (back 21.30), Potters Bar 07.50 (back 21.10) and London Finsbury Park 08.10 (back 20.50) travelling via the North London and Great Western routes to Bristol Temple Meads. Here we reverse before continuing via Narroways Hill Junction, Avonmouth, Hallen Marsh Junction, Filton West to South Curve, Temple Meads, Parson Street Junction, Royal Portbury Dock and back to Bristol Temple Meads for a 90 minute break before returning as outward.

First Class Dining is ú139 (ú536 for a party of four) including the Great British Breakfast, light lunch and a four-course dinner. Standard Class is ú49.50 (Junior ú39.50).

LOCAL FARE: From Bristol TM to Bristol TM via Avonmouth and Portbury: ú32.50 (Junior ú22.50) standard class only.

We would like to express our appreciation to the Bristol Port Company for agreeing to this tour operating along its tracks.

Bookings are now open and initial interest has been considerable - book soon! Call 01543 411971.

http://www.ukrailtours.com/tours/toursh ... DOCKER.txt


Anyone any idea's of what the motive power will be for this tour?

[James]

It's not on Railtourinfo yet, but they show operators/motive power. Keep an eye on this site:

http://www.railtourinfo.co.uk/diesel.html

[stopblock]

1 small point you will only pass under one great bridge you cant pass under the severn bridge !

[James]

1 small point you will only pass under one great bridge you cant pass under the severn bridge !

The Severn Tunnel does actually pass under the Second Severn Crossing, but you don't see much of it! Doesn't apply to this tour though...perhaps (and God knows how) they've confused it with the Avonmouth bridge?

[simon]

1 small point you will only pass under one great bridge you cant pass under the severn bridge !

nor the Clifton suspension bridge - unless someone is planning to reopen the Hotwells branch.

[tonyperks]

1 small point you will only pass under one great bridge you cant pass under the severn bridge !

nor the Clifton suspension bridge - unless someone is planning to reopen the Hotwells branch.

Sorry but to get to portbury dock you do go under the Clifton Bridge!!, the line is the pill side of the Avon.

[simon]

1 small point you will only pass under one great bridge you cant pass under the severn bridge !

nor the Clifton suspension bridge - unless someone is planning to reopen the Hotwells branch.

Sorry but to get to portbury dock you do go under the Clifton Bridge!!, the line is the pill side of the Avon.

You are, of course, totally correct. That's what happens when you speed read things and ignore the name of the excursion!!

[BristleGWR]

Timings of the railtour running today...

Stevenage dep 07.52
Potters Bar dep 08.08
Finsbury Park dep 08.27
Ealing Broadway dep 09.00
Bristol arr 10.53

Detach 67 from country end, attach 66 to London end

Bristol dep 11.12
Filton Abbey Wood 11/22
Avonmouth 11/39
Stapleton Road 12/07
Bristol Marsh Jn Up GF arr 12.20

Attach 67 to rear of train

Bristol Marsh Jn Up GF dep 13.17
Ashton Jn 13.28-44
Portbury Dock stop board 13.58-14.00
Portbury Coal terminal 14.10-20
Portbury Dock stop board 14.30-40
Portbury Automotive terminal 14.50-15.11
Portbury Dock stop board 15.21-26
Ashton Jn signal B335 15.44-49
Bristol TM arr 15.59

Set to East Yard

Bristol TM dep 17.44
Reading 19.20-21
Ealing Broadway arr 19.53
Finsbury Park arr 20.35
Potters Bar arr 20.55
Stevenage arr 21.19