Oh bugger, there goes the neighbourhood.

[Agency_Scum]

I've just found they've pulled up the tracks by the old Ashton Gate Swing Bridge.

[APW]

Slowly it all goes.

[Portishead Prowler]

This has been work-in-progress for a while now. Realistically, though, it was never going to be used again. The BRB has probably sold the land that this ran over for redevelopment.

I wouldn't be surprised to see the swing bridge itself gone soon and replaced with something more "modern". Partic as it has been the site of a couple of muggings in recent months

[Agency_Scum]

Right, that's it. Let's all cheer up on something nicer. When are British Rail....no...er...Network Rail, or is that Railtrack...er. Can someone please tell me what bunch of spivs are this week running the Hornby trainset we used to call a network.
Also, after that, tell me any progress on plans for putting a passenger train into Portishead if you can.
Ta.

[Portishead Prowler]

Also, after that, tell me any progress on plans for putting a passenger train into Portishead if you can.
Ta.

Still on hold atm as I understand, although the Portishead Rail Group in conjunction with the "developers" responsible for the modern day slums being thrown up on the marsh land in Portishead are still trying hard.

According to NR it would require too much capital investement (passing loops, signaling, 1 x set of points) and would be too difficult to co-oridinate with the coal and car trains running in and out of Portbury.

After all, why put on a rail service when they can earn massive tax revenues from every man and his dog driving to town. Also, why would First want to compete with it's own bus services?

[Agency_Scum]

" too difficult to co-oridinate with the coal and car trains running in and out of Portbury "
...and the technical term for that is " timetable "
Are they 'avin a larf?!
" Can't use that line! THERE'S TRAINS ON IT SOMETIMES!! "

This is the same kind of suit-wearing BS they came up with when they cut the subsidy for the Severn Beach line earlier this year so they can gently start the rot to set in. ( I can feel a " Meldrew " coming on.....feels like the " Full Victor " with added I-don't-beeelieve-it's too )
Think I'll chill out with a bit of Andy's pics for a while.

[madhattie]

" Can't use that line! THERE'S TRAINS ON IT SOMETIMES!! "

Lol! I can imagine Brunel spinning in his grave at the thought of those currently making excuses for why they can't run trains anymore.

On another, similar note, every time I've passed Ashton gate station of late there's been a south-bound coal train stopped at the signal there. Anyone know why this is?

[stumpytrain]

" Can't use that line! THERE'S TRAINS ON IT SOMETIMES!! "

Lol! I can imagine Brunel spinning in his grave at the thought of those currently making excuses for why they can't run trains anymore.

On another, similar note, every time I've passed Ashton gate station of late there's been a south-bound coal train stopped at the signal there. Anyone know why this is?

Basically because there's nearly always a train waiting to go down to Portbury these days! :p

To avoid additional shunting most shunters only really accept two trains down there, one car and one coal at a time. There is a surprising amount of traffic on the branch at the moment so trains are regularly waiting at Ashton some considerable time for up trains to appear. Quite often there is also another freight waiting at Temple Meads as well as the down line at Ashton isn't permissive.

I believe EWS would like to expand the facilities at the port but they there is some dispute as to whether EWS or the port should pay!

Alex
Bristol PSB