The Bristol Railway Archive

According to my Uncle who was a foreman shunter on the PBA the last steam-hauled freights on the Severn Beach - Clifton - Bristol TM line were in 1964 and he saw a "Black Five" at Avonmouth (via Hallen Marsh?) in January 1966. Does anyone have any other details as to when, where and what ran in the early-mid sixties?

I have a picture from Gerald Peacock that I haven't got online yet which has a 9F on an oil train at Avonmouth. I'd imagine that like most of Gerald's pics it was taken sometime in the 60s.

9F - one of my favourite engines - just imagine Evening Star or Black Prince hauling a modern coal train up from Avonmouth through Hallen! Drool Drool!

No money in it though eh?

This is my first post as I have just joined!

I moved to Bristol in October 1966 and never saw steam in the Bristol area at all and certainly not on the 'Beach line, which was my 2nd home!

Passenger services to the 'Beach at this time were in the form of Bubble Cars, Gloucester RCW and Swindon built "Cross Country" sets, with occasional, but increasingly frequent use of BRCW and Pressed Steel Suburban units. On very rare occasions a South Wales Valleys Suburban set might appear.

Freight was a mixed bag of Hymeks, NB 63XX Type 2's, Westerns, Warships, and very occasional 37's. Later, in the early 70's class 31's became common.

Hope this helps. if I can answrr anything more specifically, it's worth asking!

Andrew wrote:This is my first post as I have just joined!

Hey, welcome

Andrew wrote: Hope this helps. if I can answrr anything more specifically, it's worth asking!

and my usual response would be.....

got any pics you can share!?

madhattie wrote:[
and my usual response would be.....

got any pics you can share!?

Sore point - had huge collection that dissapeared during a mad tidy-up on the part of a close female relative!!!!!!