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Severn Beach line
The Severn Beach line is a local railway line in Bristol and Gloucestershire, England, which runs from Bristol Temple Meads to Severn Beach, and used to extend to Pilning. The first sections of the line were opened in 1865 as part of the Bristol Port Railway and Pier; the section through Bristol was opened in 1875 as the Clifton Extension Railway.
The line has faced several threats of closure over the years, and has been reduced to single track in many places. In the 21st century it has experienced a surge in passenger numbers, with a 90% increase in the years 2007–2011. All services along the line are operated by Great Western Railway, generally two trains per hour in each direction between Temple Meads and Avonmouth, calling at all stations, with one train per hour extended to Severn Beach. The line carries little freight traffic, with most of the heavy freight traffic to Avonmouth Docks being routed via the Henbury Loop Line through Filton. The line was highlighted by Thomas Cook as one of the scenic lines of Europe.
From Bristol Temple Meads, the line heads east, diverging from the Great Western Main Line, Wessex Main Line and Heart of Wessex Line at Bristol East Junction. The line curves to the north, passing under the A4320 and then joining with a chord from the Great Western Main Line at Dr Day's Junction. At this point there are four tracks, but in the past this narrowed to two before Lawrence Hill. Four tracks were restored as part of the Great Western route improvements.[citation needed] Continuing north, the line passes under the old Midland Railway Bristol to Gloucester Line, passes through Stapleton Road station, then diverges west from the Cross Country Route at Narroways Hill Junction. The line from here is single track, passing through woodland and circling the St Werburghs area, then passing under the B4052 (Ashley Hill) before reaching Montpelier. The line then passes over the A38 Cheltenham Road on a viaduct known as "The Arches", before reaching Redland and continuing along a straight cutting through Cotham before reaching Clifton Down. This is the line's main passing point, as it is one of the few remaining places with double track.
The line then enters the mile-long Clifton Down Tunnel, reappearing in the Avon Gorge. It follows the Avon, passing through Sea Mills before heading inland to Shirehampton and Portway Park & Ride, under the M5 Avonmouth Bridge and through an industrial estate before reaching Avonmouth. Beyond Avonmouth, the line passes through a small residential area before reaching Avonmouth Docks. A freight yard is to the east of the line here, used for coal trains. St Andrews Road is within the yard, and to the north the Henbury Loop Line diverges to the east. The Severn Beach line continues north along the bank of the River Severn to the terminus at Severn Beach.
Beyond Severn Beach, the line used to continue north through the town and further along the bank of the Severn, meeting the Bristol and South Wales Union Railway's line near New Passage Pier. It then joined with the South Wales Main Line at Pilning.
The line was listed among Thomas Cook's most favoured attractions for its scenic route along the River Avon and River Severn.
Services along the line are operated by Great Western Railway, mainly using diesel Class 166 Turbo units. Until mid-2017, the line had been operated by Class 150 Sprinter units, occasionally supplemented by Class 153 Super Sprinter and Class 158 Express Sprinter units. Until 2012, Class 143 Pacer units were a regular sight, but these were moved south to work in Devon following a cascade of Class 150/1 units from London Midland and London Overground.
Monday to Friday, two trains per hour run from Bristol Temple Meads to Avonmouth, with one extended to St Andrew's Road and Severn Beach, giving a service at Clifton Down of one train approximately every 30 minutes in each direction. Services start alternately from Bristol and Weston-super-Mare. There is a similar level of service on Saturdays. Sunday sees a roughly hourly service to and from Bristol, with all daytime services extended to Severn Beach.
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Severn Beach line
The Severn Beach line is a local railway line in Bristol and Gloucestershire, England, which runs from Bristol Temple Meads to Severn Beach, and used to extend to Pilning. The first sections of the line were opened in 1865 as part of the Bristol Port Railway and Pier; the section through Bristol was opened in 1875 as the Clifton Extension Railway.
The line has faced several threats of closure over the years, and has been reduced to single track in many places. In the 21st century it has experienced a surge in passenger numbers, with a 90% increase in the years 2007–2011. All services along the line are operated by Great Western Railway, generally two trains per hour in each direction between Temple Meads and Avonmouth, calling at all stations, with one train per hour extended to Severn Beach. The line carries little freight traffic, with most of the heavy freight traffic to Avonmouth Docks being routed via the Henbury Loop Line through Filton. The line was highlighted by Thomas Cook as one of the scenic lines of Europe.
From Bristol Temple Meads, the line heads east, diverging from the Great Western Main Line, Wessex Main Line and Heart of Wessex Line at Bristol East Junction. The line curves to the north, passing under the A4320 and then joining with a chord from the Great Western Main Line at Dr Day's Junction. At this point there are four tracks, but in the past this narrowed to two before Lawrence Hill. Four tracks were restored as part of the Great Western route improvements.[citation needed] Continuing north, the line passes under the old Midland Railway Bristol to Gloucester Line, passes through Stapleton Road station, then diverges west from the Cross Country Route at Narroways Hill Junction. The line from here is single track, passing through woodland and circling the St Werburghs area, then passing under the B4052 (Ashley Hill) before reaching Montpelier. The line then passes over the A38 Cheltenham Road on a viaduct known as "The Arches", before reaching Redland and continuing along a straight cutting through Cotham before reaching Clifton Down. This is the line's main passing point, as it is one of the few remaining places with double track.
The line then enters the mile-long Clifton Down Tunnel, reappearing in the Avon Gorge. It follows the Avon, passing through Sea Mills before heading inland to Shirehampton and Portway Park & Ride, under the M5 Avonmouth Bridge and through an industrial estate before reaching Avonmouth. Beyond Avonmouth, the line passes through a small residential area before reaching Avonmouth Docks. A freight yard is to the east of the line here, used for coal trains. St Andrews Road is within the yard, and to the north the Henbury Loop Line diverges to the east. The Severn Beach line continues north along the bank of the River Severn to the terminus at Severn Beach.
Beyond Severn Beach, the line used to continue north through the town and further along the bank of the Severn, meeting the Bristol and South Wales Union Railway's line near New Passage Pier. It then joined with the South Wales Main Line at Pilning.
The line was listed among Thomas Cook's most favoured attractions for its scenic route along the River Avon and River Severn.
Services along the line are operated by Great Western Railway, mainly using diesel Class 166 Turbo units. Until mid-2017, the line had been operated by Class 150 Sprinter units, occasionally supplemented by Class 153 Super Sprinter and Class 158 Express Sprinter units. Until 2012, Class 143 Pacer units were a regular sight, but these were moved south to work in Devon following a cascade of Class 150/1 units from London Midland and London Overground.
Monday to Friday, two trains per hour run from Bristol Temple Meads to Avonmouth, with one extended to St Andrew's Road and Severn Beach, giving a service at Clifton Down of one train approximately every 30 minutes in each direction. Services start alternately from Bristol and Weston-super-Mare. There is a similar level of service on Saturdays. Sunday sees a roughly hourly service to and from Bristol, with all daytime services extended to Severn Beach.