From the Bristol end towards Bath.
BATH TO BRISTOL RAILWAY WALK
(1st September 2018)
WARMLEY TO BITTEN
My previous visit to Bitten got me
to Oldland Common station and back to Avonside station by train
and a walk into Bath, which meant that
I missed walking between Warmley and Bitton. My next visit to
Warmley helped me to fill-in this gap of walking the whole route
between
Bath and Bristol
Once again I took the Train to
Bath and bus to Warmley for a walk along the track bed to
Bitten. Warmey is still quite a complete station
and looks the part. The only things missing is some track
and a train service. The road crossing really shouldn't be a
barrier as other preserved
lines have level crossings, such as between Wallingford
and Cholsey. Providing a fully controlled crossing and trains
timed to keep delays at a
minimum it should work safely. However, ther is need for a second
level crossing at Southway Drive and Victoria Road just a
short way to the
south that would add to the costs and hold-ups in a short
distance from the station crossing. The Avon Valley could
really do with a longer train
journey for visitors.
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From the Bristol end towards Bath.
A very nice Cafe with a lovely Tea Garden area at the rear.
A Sea Container store for when there are special functions taking place.
Metal figures on the Ex Up Platform. Reverse views.
Station information board.
The Ex Station House and signal box by the crossing. Note, there is a
drinking fountain available.
Reverse view. The signal box is open to the public at certain times.
Remains of the Down crossing Home signal.
Probably had a lit indicator box on top.
South side of the level crossing, towards Bristol.
The start of the walk into Bath.
Left: Some old lengths of
rail.
Right: Towards Bath.
Very well detailed figures.
Poplar Road over bridge. Bath & Bristol views respectfully.
The Ex level crossing at Southway Drive.
The Ex crossing and looking along Southway Drive.
Victoria Road over bridge.
Interesting Bird figures on the underside of the bridge.
Onwards towards Bitten.
Oldland Common station up ahead. Approaching North Street over
bridge.
Oldland Common station and the steps leading up to North Street.
Oldland Station. No trains today.
The stop blocks at the Bristol end of the station.
Close to above right. Oldland Common station as it was. (Auhor Unknown).
Towards Bitton and the School Road over bridge..
School Road Over bridge.
Ground Frame at the Bitten end of the station. For run-rounds.
West Street Over bridge.
The old Dramway, a mineral railway that followed much of the Bath to
Birmingham railway would be an interesting walk
for another day. Between here and Cherry Gardens Lane the Dramway ran
below the main line in a tunnel.
From here there is numerous heaps of Sleepers, bogies and other Ex railway items strewn along the Down side of the track bed.
Cherry Gardens Lane over bridge. This lane stretches all the way around,
meeting the main road by the bus stops at the Bath end of Bitton Station.
Could some of this have belonged to the mineral railway!
Left: Cherry Gardens Lane over bridge (Towards Warmley).
Approaching the Bristol end of Bitton station. You need to cross the line
and along the path to get into the station site.
Left: Back towards
Warmley.
Right: Footpath up to Bitten station.
This had been a very powerful Crane at one time.
A welcome to Avon Valley Railway.
08 202. Bitton Pilot.
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Railway parafinalia within the booking office entrance.
Bath end of the station. These gates were involved in a collision with a
runaway vehicle. Thankfully there was no-one hurt nor the gates seriously
damaged.
.
There were no booked passenger trains on this day but I caught this steam
loco just completing a shunt at the station then
disappearing into the sidings up ahead.
The over bridge at the Bath end of the station and onto Avonside
station and the footpath into Bath. The end of the line for me
on this visit.
After a rest for some refreshments at the
station cafe I walked back to Keynsham station for Bath where I enjoyed an
hour or so walk around and
a meal at Weatherspoons before catching a train home. Another very
interesting day out.
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Other railway walks:
The Dundee & Newtyle Rlwy Walks Opened in 1831 the route had three incline planes. The first was from the terminal station on Ward Street,
up the Dundee Law, where there was also a tunnel. The second was the Balbeuchley incline at Rosemill and the third at Hatton that ran down to
Newtyle station. It was also the very first passenger train service in Scotland. Worked by Horse over the levels until the first steam engine was
purchased in 1833. Came under the Caladonian Railway with it's terminal moved to Dundee West station. Passengers service ended in 1952 and
the line totally closed in the mid 60's. The inclines were by-passed in the 1860's.The Cromford & High Peak Incline railway in Derbyshire has been luckier in having much of it's buildings, including an Engine House preserved. This
is what could have happened with the D&N, indeed, should have happened with at least one of the D&N inclines. However, the C&HPR gives an excellent
comparison of what the D&N would have looked like, albeit the inclines were only single track.Boddam To Ellon Branch (Walks) By Bill Reid. Ex GNSR branch line
Dyce To Fraserburgh and Peterhead Walks. Ex GNSR
Bath To Wellow Rlwy Walks Ex Somerset & Dorset Rlwy.
Contact: reidcrcwdr@talktalk.net
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