Bristol Branch

5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe on the up Bristolian at Bristol Parkway in 2010. Image credit Paul Udey
5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe on the up Bristolian at Bristol Parkway in 2010. Image credit Paul Udey

Welcome to the Bristol Branch page of the RCTS website.

We meet once a month from September to May, on the first Friday, at St. Teresa’s Church Hall, 71 Gloucester Road North, Filton, BS34 7PL, next to Esso Tesco.

Our meetings generally take the form of slide shows, videos or talks with lively discussion on all aspects of railway history and operational practice.

Our members' interests range from the pioneering years of the railway through to the present day, in the UK and overseas.

 

 

 

 

We have an extensive selection of new and second-hand railway books on sale at every meeting, at bargain prices.

 

Our current programme is detailed below. All are welcome to join us and to share their interest.

 

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What's on

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Venues

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BTL North Filton

Address
St Teresa’s Church Hall, 71 Gloucester Road
North Filton, BS34 7PL
United Kingdom
0117 983 3938
https://www.stteresasfilton.org.uk/
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Contacts

Chairman
Brian Arman

 

Secretary

Paul Udey
tel: 01225 427779
email: bristol@rcts.org.uk
18 Hensley Road, Bath, BA2 2DR

Railtours Visiting the Bristol Area

'The Welsh Marches Express' - On 27th August, Saphos Trains ran this tour, 05.33 Bournemouth to Shrewsbury, with steam haulage by 34046 'Braunton' from Bristol Temple Meads.  Our member Dale Robertson was on hand at Temple Meads to record 34046 waiting with its support coach after having arrived from Bishops Lydeard, followed by the arrival of the special at platforms 9 & 10 topped and tailed by class 47s 47593 & D1935.

Image credit: Dale Robertson
Image credit: Dale Robertson
Image credit: Dale Robertson
Image credit: Dale Robertson
Image credit: Dale Robertson

 

 

'The Western Wanderer' -  On 25th August, the return leg of this tour (outward from Crewe ) was worked from Cardiff Central by Peak no. 45118 'Royal Artilleryman' to Bristol Temple Meads, where the train reversed and was taken forward by Western no. D1015 'Western Champion'.  The Peak remained on the rear and the train returned to Crewe via Bath, Newbury, the Reading west curve, Swindon and Cheltenham.  The photographs below show the train passing Filton Abbey Wood, and at Temple Meads.

45118 'Royal Artilleryman' accelerates through Filton Abbey Wood following a signal check, as it heads the return 'Western Wanderer' tour from Cardiff Central to Crewe. The tour reversed at Temple Meads and was taken forward by D1015 'Western Champion' via Bath, Reading west, Swindon and Cheltenham. Image credit: Stewart Jolly
45118 'Royal Artilleryman' approaches Bristol Temple Meads at the head of the return 'Western Wanderer' tour from Cardiff Central to Crewe. The tour reversed here and was taken forward by D1015 'Western Champion' via Bath, Reading west, Swindon and Cheltenham. Image credit: Dale Robertson
In mono, it could almost be the 1980s! Image credit: Dale Robertson
Image credit: Dale Robertson
Image credit: Dale Robertson
Image credit: Dale Robertson
D1015 awaits departure. Image credit: Dale Robertson

Other Events and Local News

An unusual view of GWR IET 800028 partially stripped of its vinyls. It is pictured at Eastleigh on 26th August, presumably having undergone the yaw damper modification being carried out across the fleet. Image credit: Dale Robertson
99001 & 002 arrived in the UK via Avonmouth docks on 10th June 2025. A week later on 17th June they were hauled by 66307 to the UK Rail Leasing depot at Leicester to complete commissioning. Running as 0Q66, 13.53 from Avonmouth Hanson Siding, the three immaculate locomotives are pictured at the start of their journey, heading away from Hallen Marsh Junction towards Bristol Parkway. Image credit: Stewart Jolly

Branch Observation Day at Nuneaton on 15th July 2025. 

A drizzly start to the day was brightened by the appearance of 20007 and 20205 light engine, working the first of two return trips from Kings Norton via the Camp Hill line, which were assumed to have been for route learning. Having arrived 31 minutes early, the veterans are pictured departing from platform 2 as 0T31, nominally 12.14 to Kings Norton, about 40 minutes ahead of their booked time. Image credit: Stewart Jolly
68004 passes with 4M27, the 05.33 Coatbridge to Daventry International Railfreight Terminal. Image credit: Dale Robertson
The most interesting working of the day unfortunately coincided with a torrential downpour, though the spray and the use of monochrome have produced an image with good dramatic impact. 57003 heads 5M43, the 10.19 West coast Railways ECS from Southall to Carnforth. Behind the 57 are 37668 and 47484, while just visible at the rear is 33207. Image credit: Dale Robertson
By mid-afternoon the light had improved considerably. Running 17 minutes late, 390044 approaches the north end of the station at speed with the 11.36 Glasgow Central to Euston. Image credit: Stewart Jolly
All observed workings between Euston and Chester/North Wales were worked by class 805s. 805001/010 pass through with the 15.00 Euston to Holyhead. 805010 would detach at Chester and form the 17.32 thence back to Euston. Image credit: Dale Robertson
Appropriately-named 66750 ‘Bristol Panel Signal Box’ approaches from the Leicester direction with 6G16, the 15.15 Cliffe Hill Stud Farm to Bescot. The train is running ‘wrong line’ to pass a stationary intermodal train occupying the usual westbound line through platform 6. Image credit: Dale Robertson
Carrying its ‘Railway 200’ branding and symbolic running number 390200 on the cab side, 390016 passes with the 14.53 Euston to Manchester. Image credit: Stewart Jolly
10 minutes behind the engineers' working, 66709 approaches with 4M23, the 10.28 Felixstowe North to Hams Hall intermodal. Image credit: Dale Robertson
One of the few freights to be routed via the down main line, 66514 heads 4M56, the 12.56 London Gateway to Garston. Image credit: Dale Robertson
70017 arrives with 4M61, the 12.56 Southampton MCT to Trafford Park. Image credit: Dale Robertson
196006 is about to depart with the 16.37 to Leamington Spa, as 70017 restarts 4M61, the 12.56 Southampton MCT to Trafford Park freightliner, having paused for a crew change. Image credit: Stewart Jolly
70017 continues its smoky departure with 4M61, as 390134 speeds through with the 15.33 Euston to Manchester Piccadilly. It is interesting to note that the liner train was booked to pass through Piccadilly approximately 1½ hours after the arrival of the Pendolino. Image credit: Stewart Jolly

Branch 'Wickham Trolley' Evening at Midsomer Norton

On the warm and sunny evening of Friday, 20th June, members of the RCTS Bristol Branch and the Bath Railway Society met at the Somerset & Dorset Railway Heritage Trust station at Midsomer Norton.  The museum and shops were open, drinks and snacks were available, and there was an opportunity for everyone to ride the length of the line in the resident Wickham Type 27A trolley, no. B40W.

Pimms on the patio. Image credit: Paul Udey
B40W setting off. Image credit: Paul Udey
Whistle board. Image credit: Paul Udey
Arriving at Midomer Norton. Image credit: Stewart Jolly
B40W off-loading. Image credit: Paul Udey
Almost ready to depart. Image credit: Stewart Jolly
Image credit: Stewart Jolly
Just short of the infilled cutting leading to Chilcompton Tunnel. The end of the line, for now... Image credit: Stewart Jolly
Image credit: Stewart Jolly
After the last run of the evening. 'D1120' and D4095 in the background. Image credit: Stewart Jolly
Image credit: Stewart Jolly
The Wickham is returned to its siding for stabling. Image credit: Stewart Jolly
Derby-built class 107 DMU cars 52025 and 52006 are familiar to many RCTS Bristol Branch members, having been based on the Avon Valley Railway at Bitton for several years until moved to Midsomer Norton in 2022. Image credit Stewart Jolly
For next time??? Double chimney from 92207, under restoration off-site. Image credit: Paul Udey
A 380hp diesel-hydraulic shunter built by English Electric at the Vulcan Foundry in 1966 for industrial use. It spent its working life with the National Coal Board at Lea Hall colliery near Rugeley, and was acquired by the S&D Trust in 2003. The BR livery is not prototypical, and the number D1120 is actually the Vulcan works number D1120/1966. Image credit Stewart Jolly

Branch Observation Day at Swindon

On 22nd May, several members of the Bristol Branch gathered at Swindon station to enjoy each other’s company and watch the trains go by…

66088 shunts the steel terminal at the western end of the station, having worked in earlier that morning with 6B24, the 05.13 Cardiff Tidal to Swindon Cocklebury yard. The locomotive remained there for the day, before taking the 17.41 Cocklebury to Cardiff return working (6V29). 22nd May 2025. Image Credit: Stewart Jolly
The 09.21 Carmarthen to Paddington is booked for two 5-car class 800s east of Swansea, but on this occasion it was worked solely by 800032 throughout. No doubt very cosy for the passengers! 22nd May 2025. Image Credit: Stewart Jolly
Although carrying the livery of Japanese shipping company Ocean Network Express, Freightliner 66587 is clearly not limited to working intermodal traffic. It is pictured heading the 10.35 Oxford Banbury Rd to Whatley Quarry empties (6V53) away from Swindon East Loop following a booked pathing stop. Most westbound freight trains are booked to recess in the loop to fit between the half-hourly passenger services to both South Wales and Bristol Temple Meads. Pathing of trains to and from Westbury via the single-tracked line through Melksham is a particular challenge, and most trains were seen to adhere closely to their booked timings. 22nd May 2025. Image Credit: Stewart Jolly
A well-travelled celebrity joined us very briefly! (802106 working the 14.00 Paddington to Bristol TM.)
Recently outshopped 66118 heads the 09.55 Northolt to Severnside ‘binliner’ (6C03) out of Swindon East loop following its booked pathing stop. 22nd May 2025. Image credit: Stewart Jolly
Running as the 08.57 Ely Papworth Sidings to Newport Docks (Unimetals), 37884 approaches on the down main hauling condemned ‘Networker’ EMUs 465238/239 for scrapping. 22nd May 2025. Image Credit: Stewart Jolly
The ‘Arterio’ saga continues. Running as 5Q75, 09.20 ex Eastleigh TRSMD, 69008 hauls 701007 to Long Marston for storage. The train is pictured crossing from the down main to platform 1 at Swindon to gain the Kemble line. Image credit: Arthur Turner
The 11.43 Merehead Quarry to Wootton Bassett (6B12) runs via a reversal at Swindon East Loop. It is pictured on 22nd May leaving the loop and about to pass through the station for a second time behind 59104. Image credit: Arthur Turner
802106 with 'Paddington' vinyls is seen for the first time that day working up with the 11.23 ex Weston-super-Mare, while to the left of the picture 800014 forms the rear portion of a down Carmarthen working. Image credit Arthur Turner
Freightliner 59101 heads the 12.50 Appleford to Whatley Quarry (6B12) out of Swindon East Loop following a booked pathing stop. The locomotive carries the livery of Heidelberg Materials, the German-based owner of the quarry. Image credit: Arthur Turner

Meeting reports

7 March 2025, ‘LOCOMOTION and Stockton & Darlington Railway 200’ by SLS President Dr Michael Bailey MBE.

By BTL Bristol | 2025-03-18

On the 27th of September 1825 the first steam hauled railway opened. The purpose of the line was to transport coal from the West Durham coal mines to be shipped…

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7 February 2025, ‘To Scotland for Steam’, by Branch Chairman Brian Arman.

By BTL Bristol | 2025-03-18

After a short AGM Brian Arman presented part two of his talk ‘To Scotland for Steam’. The presentation started with the Highland Line in Eastern Scotland at Keith and following…

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3 January 2025 ‘Steam in Cornwall’ by SLS Librarian Gerry Nichols

By BTL Bristol | 2025-01-15

Gerry started his presentation by showing several photos of Brunel’s Royal Albert Bridge seen through the ages, the earliest showing a flotilla of Naval ships just beyond the bridge and…

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20 December Christmas Buffet and Members Evening

By BTL Bristol | 2025-01-15

There were three digital presentations prior to the buffet, and three slide presentations afterwards, finishing at about 10pm. The digital presentations were: Dale Robertson – Heritage Railway Quiz. A ‘Where…

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6 December 2024 ‘The widows Frontier Railways’ by Richard Pelham

By BTL Bristol | 2024-12-23

The presentation began with one of Rudyard Kipling’s Barrack Room Ballads with a list of wars fought on the sub-continent between 1824 and 1919. Three countries were covered however, most…

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8 November 2024 ‘That Was The Year That Was 1965’ by Geoff Plumb

By BTL Bristol | 2024-12-23

On the 8th November Geoff Plumb started his presentation with a photo of his new camera, a Voigtlander, which was used to take the photos that he showed. A great…

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4 October 2024 ‘The View From The North’ by Steve Batty

By BTL Bristol | 2024-12-23

We were treated to a ‘Magical Mystery Tour’ of trains in the Yorkshire countryside where the sky is blue, and the sun is always shining. Starting from picturesque Selby we…

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6 September 2024 ‘End of Steam on British Railways 1966-67’ by Michael Smyth.

By BTL Bristol | 2024-09-17

At our first meeting of the 2024-25 season on 6th September, we were pleased to welcome Michael Smyth of the Cambridge Branch to present The End of Steam on British…

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‘Railway Holidays in the West Country – Devon & Somerset’ with Stuart Warr.

By BTL Bristol | 2024-05-29

For our final meeting before the summer break, it was appropriate that Stuart Warr returned to present ‘Railway Holidays in the West Country’ featuring images taken in Devon & Somerset…

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‘East Coast Main Line part 2 – North from York’ presented by Stephen Gay.

By BTL Bristol | 2024-05-29

Our April meeting saw Stephen Gay return to continue his ECML journey from York to Edinburgh. The first photo was of the halfway point sign between London and Edinburgh, near…

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Links to Photographic Gallery

GWR 19th Century