The Bristol Railway Archive

I have just loaned out a book called the Atlas of the Great Western Railway by R.A. Cooke. Im finding the book is very informative but it is also bringing up a number of questions in my head about stations that I had never even heard of before, namely the fact the book has 2 Hotwells stations.

The terminus station is called Hotwells (previously Clifton) and the other one Hotwells Halt seperated by 2 tunnels.

Also in the book it mentions another station Chittening Factory along the line towards Severn Beach, and an original Avonmouth station now under Royal Edward dock.

Does anyone know anything about these stations. I thought I knew all the stations in the area until I got this book.

Chittening trading estate in Avonmouth is adjacent to Smoke lane in Avonmouth.This is immediately after St Andrews road where the lines to the former smelting works cross the road.
I will pass regards the location of a former station in this area.

Dave Nailsea

I can't help on the historical side of things, but if you go to www.old-maps.co.uk and view the maps of Bristol (late 1880's) you can locate Clifton Station (just north of the Clifton Suspension Bridge) and Avonmouth Station which at that time was the terminus of the line.

Also at that time there were stations located at the docks Avonmouth (Dock Station), near Shirehampton and also at Seamills. However Hotwells Halt doesn't appear to be on those maps.

Chittening Platform, as I believe it was known, was very close to Hallen Marsh Junction, on the Henbury line, and visible from the Severn beach line. I travelled the (Severn Beach) line very regularly in the 60's and 70's and the platforms at Chittening were still in situ, although disused, then.

Are you thinking of Avonmouth Town station, which was on the loop from Avonmouth Dock Junction to St Andrew's Junction?

Can't help with Hotwells at the moment as I haven't got access to any books, but I may be able to later.

I remembr seeing a TV programme during GW150 about an excursion station at St Edwards Dock, I think that was the name anyway,but the footage I remember showed banana wagaons and Cornish Riviera style coaching stock.

Check out http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/

Follow link to North Filton Platform (if it doesn't go straight to it).

Info re Chittening Factory there