7. Bradford-on-Avon foot crossings-27.06.77

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-1977 > 7. Bradford-on-Avon foot crossings-27.06.77
Quite why I was off school on 27th June in 1977 I cannot recall! Given the labour relations turmoil of the time it could well have been a teachers' strike day? Either way, I took the opportunity to have a few hours at the the two foot crossings just to the west of Bradford-on-Avon. At the time, these were almost my favourite spots with open views of the line and I remember spending many happy hours waiting for trains to pass.
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Images 1-6 of 6 displayed.

Class 31, unidentified Bristol Temple Meads-Portsmouth Harbour working, Bradford-Avon foot crossing ST820605 Another of my low angle shots shows a Class 31 leading a Bristol Temple Meads to Portsmouth Harbour working past one of Bradford-on-Avon's foot crossings. This was a super spot to spend a few hours, quiet and down near to the River Avon. Keywords: Class 31 unidentified Bristol Temple Meads-Portsmouth Harbour working Bradford-on -Avon foot crossing ST820605
B581, unidentified Weymouth-Bristol Temple Meads working, Bradford-on-Avon foot crossing ST820605 With the town and the station in the distance, a Class 119 DMU, set B581, leaves Bradford-on-Avon with a cross-country working from Weymouth to Bristol Temple Meads. This view can be repeated today and remains very similar apart from the inevitable line-side growth, particularly to the right of the train. Also, I would not be so brazen and foolhardy now as to stand where I am to take this picture even though I am actually on a crossing!
31309, unidentified Portsmouth Harbour-Bristol Temple Meads working, Bradford-on-Avon foot crossing ST820605 31309 was a regular performer in this area. Here, it is seen in the sunshine (at last!) passing the second of Bradford-on-Avon's foot crossings with a Portsmouth Harbour to Bristol Temple Meads working. Not only have I chosen one of my trademark low angle shots but I am also on the wrong side for the sun! Looking at the position of the shadows I suspect that it was now late afternoon or early evening.
47352, unidentified Weymouth-Bristol Temple Meads working, Bradford-on-Avon foot crossing ST820605 47352 accelerates away from its stop at Bradford-on-Avon with a Weymouth to Bristol Temple Meads working. Whilst 31s formed the mainstay of loco. hauled workings on the Avon Valley route, 47s were also regular performers. Notice that the 47 is carrying OOOO in its redundant headcode panel that would soon be replaced by twin domino dots on a black background and then ultimately plated over with twin marker lights installed. 47352 ended its working career in 1998 being cut up at Raxstar's Frodingham (Scunthorpe) facility during May 2000.
B803, 1828 Bristol Temple Meads-Weymouth,Bradford-on-Avon foot crossing ST820605 The Western Region had a small allocation of Class 101 DMUs. They were not very common on the Avon Valley route but here set B803 is seen on the 18.28 Bristol Temple Meads to Weymouth working approaching Bradford-on-Avon. It is taken from an unusual position that saw me dash out onto the line after it had passed to take this 'going away' shot on one of Bradford-on-Avon's foot crossings.
31223, down freight, Bradford-on-Avon foot-crossing ST820605 31223 ambles past one of Bradford-on-Avon's two foot crossings with a down freight. 31223 lead a relatively short life, it came west after being an Eastern Region engine. Then, after moving to the northwest it was withdrawn in late 1991. The light was pretty poor by now so I suspect that I was about to head for home on my trusty bike. I had a bit of an uphill push home from the floor of the Avon Valley from this location but it kept me fit! I revisited this spot in the late summer of 2014 when HSTs were being diverted along the Avon Valley, see..... https://www.ontheupfast.com/p/21936chg/30018090440/x43187-11-00-cheltenham-london-paddington

Images 1-6 of 6 displayed.