Places to see in ( Bristol - UK ) Avon Valley Railway
Places to see in ( Bristol - UK ) Avon Valley Railway
The Avon Valley Railway (AVR) is a three-mile-long heritage railway based at Bitton station in South Gloucestershire, England, not far from Bristol and is run by a local group: The Avon Valley Railway Company Ltd. The railway follows the Avon Valley south-east from Oldland Common, through Bitton and alongside the River Avon towards Kelston and Bath. The railway shares its route with the Sustrans cycleway and footpath, the Bristol & Bath Railway Path.
Avon Valley Railway is part of the otherwise-dismantled Midland Railway Mangotsfield and Bath Branch Line, which was closed in 1966 as a result of the Beeching cuts and due mainly to the Great Western Railway being just a few miles to the south, which also connected Bristol and Bath .
Bitton station and its yard, including some trackbed, was leased from British Railways Board by the Bristol Suburban Railway Society, a group of local volunteers intent on restoring commuter and weekend steam use to the Bristol-Mangotsfield-Bath and Mangotsfield-Yate railway routes.
As a tourist attraction, the Avon Valley Railway now handles 80,000 visitors per year. The AVR provides round trip steam train travel from Bitton Station north to Oldland Common then south to Avon Riverside station. The line is open to travellers on most weekends.
( Bristol - UK) is well know as a tourist destination because of the variety of places you can enjoy while you are visiting the city of Bristol . Through a series of videos we will try to show you recommended places to visit in Bristol - UK
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Avon Valley Railway - Bristol
Avon Valley Railway provides a fun outing for all the family. Climb aboard one of the Steam or Diesel trains and enjoy spectacular views on a 6 mile round trip through the Avon Valley. The lovingly restored locomotives run from Bitton station on specific days (see website for details). Before or after your trip there's much to see and do. Browse for souvenirs, toys and memorabilia in the Station Shop situated in the old Ladies Waiting Room. Explore the station site for treasures such as locomotives, carriages and wagons all in various stages of restoration and discover railway artifacts and posters in the old Booking Hall. After all this you are bound to have worked up an appetite so enjoy refreshments, home made cakes, snacks or a full meal in the Station Buffet located in a British Railways Mark I carriage.
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The Avon Valley Railway Bitton South Gloucestershire.
The Avon Valley Railway (AVR) is a three-mile-long heritage railway based at Bitton station in South Gloucestershire, England, not far from Bristol and is run by a local group: The Avon Valley Railway Company Ltd. The railway follows the Avon Valley south-east from Oldland Common, through Bitton and alongside the River Avon towards Kelston and Bath. The railway shares its route with the Sustrans cycleway and footpath, the Bristol & Bath Railway Path.
The railway is part of the otherwise-dismantled Midland Railway Mangotsfield and Bath branch line, which was closed in 1966 as a result of the Beeching cuts, due mainly to the Great Western Railway, which also connected Bristol and Bath, being just a few miles to the south.
The railway is perhaps best known for connecting the former Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway (S&DJR), whose northern terminus was at Bath Green Park station, with the London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS). The Midland Railway lines along the Avon Valley thus opened up the S&D lines to travellers from the British industrial Midlands. This was particularly so during summer Saturdays when families flocked south to the beaches of Dorset and the English south coast. Many extra trains thus had to be added to the schedule to accommodate this increased demand. Although owned and run by the Midland Railway, many S&D locomotives were often seen working trains along this line.
After the lines were removed, from 2000 the northern section from Mangotsfield to Warmley was used to build a dual carriage development of the A4174 road, although both station sites currently still exist. The remainder of the line was passed from the British Railways Board to Sustrans, who in co-operation with the local councils developed the Bristol and Bath Railway Path. Further development of the heritage railway is wholly dependent on a usage agreement with Sustrans.
Bitton station and its yard, including some trackbed, was leased from British Railways Board by the Bristol Suburban Railway Society, a group of local volunteers intent on restoring commuter and weekend steam use to the Bristol-Mangotsfield-Bath and Mangotsfield-Yate railway routes.
Work progressed slowly over the years restoring the heavily vandalised buildings and laying track north towards Oldland Common and Warmley. Weekend steam-hauled 'brake van' train rides progressed to proper passenger services along the ever-lengthening line in restored 1950s British Railways Mark 1 carriages.
In 1979, the Bristol Suburban Railway Society was incorporated into the Bitton Railway Co. Ltd. and the laid track reached Oldland Common in 1988. By 1992 however, the city of Bristol had expanded greatly with houses encroaching upon the former railway line and expansion north to Warmley and Mangotsfield was no longer considered practical. The line thus began to expand south out into the valley of the River Avon. By 2004, it had crossed the Avon and a new station was built to service the Avon Valley Country Park — a large picnic and recreation site — along with a river wharf to provide visitors with connections to river barges and river boat trips.
Building of a new buffet and toilets facility at Bitton station began in 2007 to replace the current buffet and toilets and to increase space for the railway's gift shop.
Work continues to extend the railway south-east towards Kelston, Weston and a proposed Bath Riverside railway station in Bath.
As a tourist attraction, the Avon Valley Railway now handles 80,000 visitors per year. The AVR provides round trip steam train travel from Bitton Station north to Oldland Common then south to Avon Riverside station. The line is open to travellers on most weekends.
Intro Music:-
Cinematic (Sting) by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (
Artist:
Main Music:-
Green Leaves by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (
Artist:
class 31130 @ Avon Valley Railway 04-08-12
class 31130 arriving into Bitton Station on the Avon Valley Railway on the 4th August 2012
Class 07 At Bitten -Bristol
Avon Valley Railway
Grumpy At Avon Valley Railway
Grumpy diesel engine at Bitton, Avon Valley Railway
Steam Hauled, Diesel Banked Train Arrives at Bitton on AVR
The Steam Locomotive Hauling the Train is the early 1950's Polish-built tank engine 'Karel' based at the Avon Valley Railway.
The Avon Valley Railway, Based at Bitton in North East Somerset, England is a heritage Railway occupying part of the former Midland Railway Route between Bristol (Midland Road), Mangotsfield Junction & Bath (Green Park). It shares part of the route with the 15 mile Bristol - Bath Cycleway & has excellent visitor facilities. Although currently only 2.5 miles long there are plans for further extension - the next phase of which to Saltford is due to begin in late 2013 or 2014.
DMU Service at the Avon Valley Railway 26th Decmber 3rd January
I went to film the AVR on the 26/12/09 and 03/01/10 to film the DMU service from different positions along the line.
(HD) Black 5 45379 Shows Avon Valley Railway how its done!
A moment I never thought I'd see, A Black 5 at Avon Valley Railway, has now happened thanks to the Autumn Gala. Thanks to Marcus for organising this and to the drivers for the great effects.
Black 5 45379 has come up from the Mid-hants Railway for the gala, and today took part in some steam testing.
As soon as I heard the unmistakable black 5 whistle from my house, I was out straight away to capture what I could!
So we see 45379 doing various movements and doing some tests with the passenger coaches.
Included is wheel slip, whistles and lots of steam and Power! What a loco!
Sorry about the strange blurring effects, was supposed to blur but doesn't seem to like that between a few shots. I'm not editing, saving and uploading 500mb of video again!
Enjoy!
Avon Valley Railway, October 2018
With a few hours to kill after work and before FEAR, I decided to pop down to the Avon Valley Railway, running their heritage Diesel Multiple Unit I boarded the train at Bitton, travelling up to Oldland Common, before passing back through Bitton and on to Avon Riverside, and finally climbing back up the hill and into Bitton station as the light began to fade.
Avon Valley Railway 2nd November 2019
Avon Valley Railway
2nd November 2019
Sentinel 4wVBGT Somerdale
A brake van ride over the full length of
the AVR to raise funds for the overhaul
of RSH 7151
Avon Valley Railway 1st November 2012
Avon Valley Railway hosted a guest loco running from Late October until Early january formed of NNR's GER/LNER J15 no.7564 (my first time seen this loco) ran over the 3 1/2 mile line from Oldland Common to Bitton to Avon Riverside during half term week of 29th October to 2nd November, seen on a various clips along the line plus a struggle up from Avon Riverside and shot over the River Avon.
AVON VALLEY RAILWAY–FIRE & WATER WITH FIRE FLOAT PYRONAUT (SAT 13th APRIL 2019)
The weekend of the 13/14th April saw the second of the Avon Valley Railway’s April events this time based on the theme of fire and water (and steam - (the Class 31's train heating boiler n particular!). One vintage and a currently serving fire engine attended as well as a traction engine. At Riverside the historic Bristol Harbour based specialist fireboat (Firefloat) named “PYRONAUT” gave rides on the River Avon which included a demonstration of the forward and aft jets. There were also exhibition stands of a mainly nautical theme near the station. No less than three locomotives were involved with the working of passenger trains on the line namely: Hunslet Austerity 0-6-0ST WD132 “SAPPER”, Hudswell Clarke 0-4-0ST No. 1742 and Brush Type 2 Class 31, No. 5518.
Avon Valley Railway - Train Bike and Boat
A sunny Sunday, with cyclists and steam enthusiasts enjoying the former railway route between Bristol and Bath. 20151025
Steam Train at Bitton
The Avon Valley Railway is a 'Heritage' railway run entirely by volunteer enthusiasts. The AVR, based at Bitton in Somerset, England, runs along part of the former 'Midland Railway' route between Mangotsfield & Bath.
There are plans to extend the railway further east to Saltford & the outskirts of Bath. Because of Motorway construction since the line was closed the furthest likely westward reach would be to Warmley & Siston Common.
Avon Valley Railway - Santa Specials - 07/12/2019
Saturday 7th December 2019 saw the Avon Valley Railway operating their popular 'Santa Special' services, in the run up to the festive season.
To keep up with demand, and to schedule, the service is operated Top-&-Tail. Taking charge of the day's services was Hunslet Austerity 0-6-0ST, WD 132 Sapper and British Rail Class 31, No. D5518.
Here we see both locomotives in action on the final 2 services pf the day from a number of locations between Riverside and Oldland.
Loco List;
Hunslet Austerity 0-6-0ST, WD 132 Sapper
British Rail Class 31 A-1-A A-1-A, No. D5518
Hope you enjoy!
Avon Valley Railway : 1940's Weekend
A collection of videos and photographs of Avon Valley Railway.
The Avon Valley Railway Website :
My Twitter :
I hope you enjoy the video!
Avon Valley Railway - 150th Anniversary Celebration - Saturday 3rd August 2019
Over the weekend of the 3rd/4th August 2019, the Avon Valley Railway celebrated the 150th anniversary of the opening of the line between Mangotsfield and Bath on the 4th August 1869 by the Midland Railway.
The railway utilised its home fleet of locos for the event, which included recently returned to steam Fry's Sentinel No 7492. The Sentinel was used to operate brake van rides at Avon Riverside over the weekend, which saw it making a rare trip south of Bitton, and within sight of its former stomping ground at the chocolate factory in Keynsham.
The event also saw some additional attractions, with three model railway layouts, 'St Philips' from the Thornbury & South Glos MRC, 'Mangotsfield' courtesy of David Bradley, and the magnificent 'Bath Green Park' brought by the Taunton Model Railway Group. Other local history groups had displays, a vintage vehicle line up, and shire horses were also to be seen.
The full loco line up was:-
| Hunslet Austerity WD132 'Sapper'
| Fablok Tkh49 No 4015 'Karel'
| Fry's Sentinel No 7492
| BR Class 31 No 31101
| DMU (Sunday only, does not feature)
(AVR) Avon Valley Railway Gala with 7822 Foxcote Manor 20th October 2013
(AVR) Avon Valley Railway Gala passenger and freight workings including triple headed and double head and TT
7822 Foxcote Manor built in 1950 at British Railway's Swindon works. It was part of a post-war batch of 10 locomotives built at the works, taking the total number of Manor's to 30.
also with locomotives
No 15 Earl David and Polish PKP 4015 Karel, also starring 0-6-0 7151 filmed in various locations along the line between Avon river side, Bitton station and Oldland common on the 20th October 2013
Mainline steam trains from England and other railway related videos from Poland, Australia, Italy and France.
Journey on the Avon Valley Railway to start the New Decade.
We had to start 2020 and a new decade with some steam. We were staying in the area and with the railway operating Mince Pie specials it was a good place to go. With the weather not being the best, but at least it had stopped rain, a ride on the train was the best option. Also very friendly staff.