7. The Avon Valley-XX.05.81

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-1981 > 7. The Avon Valley-XX.05.81
With GWML services diverted off their usual route between Bathampton and Reading with trains using the Berks. and Hants. route instead I took the opportunity of capturing some of them passing through the beautiful Avon Valley. I rode my bike between Bradford-on-Avon and Freshford recording what I observed on black and white Ilford FP4 film. Unfortunately, I was getting somewhat cavalier with my note-taking and did not make a record of the locomotives and services that they were hauling; something I deeply regret now over forty years later!
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Images 1-20 of 20 displayed.

Class 31, unidentified Portsmouth Harbour-Bristol Temple Meads working, Bradford-on-Avon station I started out my out and back tour of the Avon Valley on this spring afternoon at Bradford-on-Avon station. In this scene, an unidentified Class 31 wearing mini snowploughs drifts into the station with passengers waiting on the platform to head on towards Bath and Bristol. It must have been a chilly May day as it appears that the 31 has its steam heat boiler running judging by the small whisps emanating from the coaches. Close examination of the station building reveals my bike leaning against the wall ready to take me further along the valley. Keywords: Class 31 Portsmouth Harbour-Bristol Temple Meads working Bradford-on-Avon station
253036, unidentified up diverted working, Bradford-on-Avon station With some sort of diversion in place, there were far more trains on this particular day traversing the Avon Valley with all GWML services being diverted. I am not sure as to the reason for the diversions or whether they would fork east at Bradford Junction taking the south chord to Thingley Junction via Melksham or if they were continuing through to Hawkeridge Junction at Westbury to then take the Berks. and Hants. line. Either way, it did mean that there was an interesting diversity of trains passing through the lovely Avon Valley that were worth a trip out to photograph. HST set 253036 passes through Bradford-on-Avon with an unidentified service for Paddington. This leading power car would have been one of W43140 or W43141 either one would have been exactly a year old when this photograph was taken. Keywords: 253036 unidentified up diverted working Bradford-on-Avon station HST
Class 50, unidentified up diverted working, Bradford-on-Avon no. 1 crossing, ST822605 An unidentified unrefurbished Class 50 approaches Bradford-on-Avon from the Bath direction with a diverted service heading for Paddington. It is about to cross what I colloquially called number 1 foot crossing with number 2 slightly further back level with the rear three quarters of the train. Amazingly, both foot crossings are still open but photographic opportunities are somewhat compromised by a giant telecommunications mast to the left here and rampant embankment growth. Keywords: Class 50 up diverted working Bradford-on-Avon no. 1 crossing ST822605
Class 43, unidentified diverted up working, River Avon crossing, Bradford-on-Avon An unidentified HST crosses the River Avon at Bradford-on-Avon's Barton Farm taken from the ancient medieval bridge that dates from around 1340. The HST was on a diversionary route following the Avon Valley route rather than the mainline to and from Paddington. Keywords: Class 43, unidentified diverted up working, River Avon crossing, Bradford-on-Avon HST
253033, unidentified up diverted working, Bradford-on-Avon no. 2 crossing, ST821605 Taken from what I named foot crossing number 2 HST set 253033 heads along the Avon Valley on the approach to Bradford-on-Avon. The HST set was heading for Paddington diverted away from its more normal route due to engineering works somewhere on the GWML. This power car would have been one of either W43135 or W43136 both of which are still in service today operating in Scotland. I visited this spot in 2014 when there was also diversions, this time due to electrification works, illustrating that the growth of the trees has been incredible, see.... https://www.ontheupfast.com/p/21936chg/30018090440/x43187-11-00-cheltenham-london-paddington Keywords: 253033 unidentified up diverted working Bradford-on-Avon no. 2 crossing ST82160 HST Class 43
Class 47, unidentified down diverted working, Avoncliff station An unidentified Class 47 heads along the Avon Valley towards Bathampton Junction just east of Bath where it will rejoin the GWML. The train is diverted along this route away from its normal line due to engineering works. It is passing through the diminutive halt at Avoncliff with the River Avon tumbling over a large weir in the background. Notice to the left a long-forgotten car of the era, a Peugeot 204 in estate form with its distinctive triangular rear light clusters. Keywords: Class 47 down diverted working Avoncliff station
Class 47, up diverted vans, Avoncliff aqueduct A long train of mixed vans passes along the Avon Valley on the approach to Avoncliff with the picture taken from the village's famous aqueduct that carries the Kennet and Avon canal across the valley. Unfortunately, I do not have the number of the Class 47 leading the train but it is the consist that is of more interest with a variety of van types that includes a Syphon G, LMS and Southern vans amongst the more recent Mk. 1 and other standard derivatives. Keywords: Class 47 diverted vans Avoncliff aqueduct
Ex GWR Siphon G & ex LMS van, up diverted vans, Avoncliff aqueduct One of the thirty-four former GWR Siphon G vans converted and branded for Newspaper carriage is seen passing Avoncliff in the Avon Valley. One hundred and fifteen of this highly successful design of van were produced between 1930 and 1945 largely for the carriage of milk from all points of the GWR network either on bulk milk trains or simply attached to the rear of express services. As milk traffic declined due to road haulage they found new uses in a GUV and newspaper role such was their versatility. The last examples survived until 1985 with a small number entering preservation including one as part of the national collection at Shildon. Beyond the GUV is an LMS fifty-foot full brake van. The inclusion of these vans in the consists of a train was always easy to identify due to their protruding ducket and their three pronounced timber running boards. The story of their development and construction is an incredibly complex one with well over three hundred being produced by the LMS between 1925 and 1950 in various guises and to various specifications. The last was withdrawn from service in the early 1980s so the inclusion of one on this train in 1981 represents quite a rarity by this time; it's just a shame that I could not get its number and that of the Siphon G for that matter! Keywords: Ex GWR Siphon G & ex LMS van up diverted vans Avoncliff aqueduct
Class 33s, unidentified Portsmouth Harbour-Bristol Temple Meads working, Avoncliff station A pair of Class 33 Cromptons pass through Avoncliff station working an unidentified service towards Bath and Bristol Temple Meads. With the Southern Region continuing the use of its double letter route identification system it was always more straightforward to identify their trains even when odd things such as double-heading created an element of confusion. With a route code of 89, it identifies this train as being a Portsmouth Harbour to Bristol Temple Meads service via Netley and Salisbury. Keywords: Class 33s Portsmouth Harbour-Bristol Temple Meads working Avoncliff station Crompton
Class 50, unidentified up diverted working, Avoncliff aqueduct Taken from the southern end of Avoncliff's aqueduct that carries the Kennet and Avon canal from one side of the valley to the other a Class 50 is seen. It is leading an unidentified up diversion composed of a rake of Mk. II stock with a Mk. I buffet/restaurant coach and the ubiquitous Mk. I BG marshalled behind the locomotive. Notice the heard of Friesian cattle at the far end of the field that all appear to be sitting down perhaps indicating that rain is on its way? Keywords: Class 50 unidentified up diverted working Avoncliff aqueduct
Class 43, diverted unidentified up working, Freshford ST800603 Looking across the Avon Valley near the village of Freshford a diverted HST is seen heading towards Paddington. It has just crossed a small viaduct with the River Avon going underneath just beyond which the Rover Frome joins. In the foreground is the curiously named Elbow Cottage with the Kennet and Avon Canal between it and the railway. Three cars are parked around the cottage, a Renault 4, a ubiquitous Cortina and a two door VW Golf Mk. 1. Keywords: Class 43 unidentified up working Freshford ST800603 HST
Class 33, unidentified Bristol Temple Meads-Porstmouth Harbour working, Turleigh Hill ST812603 A pretty poor quality photograph with motion blur and taken into the afternoon sun taken in the Avon valley near the village of Turleigh sees a Class 33 heading east towards its next stop at Bradford-on-Avon. Carrying a headcode of 89 indicates that the train is a Bristol to Portsmouth Harbour service via Salisbury. Notice the cast SW sign in the foreground warning people who may be using at a little-used occupation crossing a short distance away. Keywords: Class 33, unidentified Bristol Temple Meads-Porstmouth Harbour working, Turleigh Hill ST812603
Class 47, unidentified up parcels working, Bradford-on-Avon no. 2 crossing, ST821605 An unidentified Class 47 approaches Bradford-on-Avon from the Bath direction leading a second parcels working within half an hour or so. It is about to pass me standing at a foot crossing that leads from Belcombe Road to Barton Farm. Notice my bike to the extreme right of the picture thrown against the fence suggesting that as I arrived I heard the train approaching and rapidly demounted in order to get this photograph! Also, notice that the third and fourth vehicles in the consist appear to be two former Southern Railway PMV vans that by this stage were being withdrawn rapidly from service. Keywords: Class 47 up parcels working Bradford-on-Avon no. 2 crossing ST821605
Class 50, unidentified down diverted working, Bradford-on-Avon no. 2 crossing, ST821605 Taken from the wrong side of the line for the sun and unidentified Class 50 accelerates away from Bradford-on-Avon with a service for the West Country. In this view, taken from one of two foot crossings to the west of the town, the station and its footbridge can be seen in the background along with the short tunnel beyond it. Notice also that the train is travelling on ancient bullhead jointed track on timber sleepers whilst the line nearest the camera has been recently renewed with continuously welded track on concrete sleepers. Keywords: Class 50 down diverted working Bradford-on-Avon no. 2 crossing ST821605
33023, unidentified Portsmouth Harbour-Bristol Temple Meads working, Bradford-on-Avon no. 1 crossing, ST822605 Using my telephoto lens attached to my Pentax MESuper brings a slightly different view but taken from the same position as the last photograph. In this view, the station, the footbridge, the Frome and Trowbridge Road bridges and Greenland tunnel have all been brought much more into view and appear much closer together than is the reality. 33023 accelerates away from its stop at Bradford-on-Avon working a Portsmouth Harbour to Bristol Temple Meads service that may well have been extended on to Cardiff Central. Keywords: 33023 Portsmouth Harbour-Bristol Temple Meads working Bradford-on-Avon no. 1 crossing ST822605 Crompton
50007, unidentified up diverted working, Bradford-on-Avon no. 1 crossing ST822605 With me foolishly taking no notes on this trip of the numbers and workings very few have been identifiable. However, there is no doubt as to which Class 50 this one is with its nameplate being clear read. 50007 'Hercules' approaches Bradford-on-Avon from the Bath direction working an unidentified up working for Paddington composed of largely Mk. IIC non-air-conditioned stock with its pressure ventilation system instead. 50007 had just over a year in this guise before entering Doncaster for its much-needed complete rebuild emerging in large logo livery during February 1983. Of course, this would mean significant alterations to the filtration system and a new scavenger induction fan with the consequential loss of its charismatic 'hoover' soundtrack! Keywords: 50007 diverted working Bradford-on-Avon no. 1 crossing ST822605 Hercules
Class 43, unidentified working, River Avon crossing, Bradford-on-Avon Another photograph taken from Bradford-on-Avon's Barton Farm crossing of the railway bridge that crosses the Avon with the town climbing the hill in the background. This view shows a diverted Class 43 HST but I am unable to even identify its direction of travel let alone its working such is my poor note-taking on this particular day! With the characteristic oil stain down the side of the power car this is the look that we all remember from the early days of HST operations and one that they are always associated with. Keywords: Class 43 River Avon crossing Bradford-on-Avon HST
Class 50, unidentified down diverted working, Bradford-on-Avon level crossing The front of a down diverted service from Paddington just catches some late afternoon sunshine before plunging into Bradford-on-Avon's relatively short seven chains long tunnel. It is crossing the River Avon, something it will do a number of times as it makes its way along the valley to Bathampton Junction where it will rejoin the GWML in seven miles time. Unfortunately, I do not have the number of the Class 50 leading the train. Keywords: Class 50 diverted working Bradford-on-Avon level crossing
Class 43, unidentified up diverted working, Bradford-on-Avon level crossing An unidentified HST passes through Bradford-on-Avon tunnel taken from Greenland Mill AHBC. The HST was an up working heading for Paddington diverted from its usual route along the GWML. It was always interesting standing at this location waiting for trains as when travelling from this direction they could be seen well in advance through the tunnel before the sirens rang and the barriers dropped but when coming from the other direction (from Bradford Junction) you got no advanced warning with the piercing 'nee-noor' from the Piezo sounder often catching one unawares! Keywords: Class 43 up diverted working Bradford-on-Avon level crossing HST
31229, unidentified Bristol Temple Meads-Portsmouth Harbour working, Bradford-on-Avon level crossing With its English Electric 1,470 bhp 12SVT engine shattering the peace at Bradford-on-Avon's Greenland Mill level crossing 31229 climbs away from the town towards Bradford Junction. I did not make any notes on this particular day but this train would have been a Bristol to Portsmouth Harbour service with its next stop being Trowbridge, Wiltshire's County Town. Keywords: 31229 Bristol Temple Meads-Portsmouth Harbour Bradford-on-Avon level crossing

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