Branch BTL Bristol – The Railway Correspondence & Travel Society

Bristol Branch

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.

What's on

Venues

Click the venue name to see more

Contacts

Chairman

Brian Arman

Secretary

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

Other Events and Local News

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

On 15th May 2025, West Coast Railways ran an 09.30 Carnforth to Bristol Kingsland Road empty stock working prior to a Pathfinder railtour to Pwllheli the following day. The ECS ran via Chester, Shrewsbury and the Severn Tunnel, and is pictured approaching Filton Abbey Wood headed by 37685, with 37518 at the rear. Image credit: Stewart Jolly

Following problems with the wagons (see the May 2025 Bristol Bulletin), the GBRf steel workings from Portbury to Margam ran daily during the week commencing 28th April. On 2nd May, 66783 'The Flying Dustman' heads the late-running 08.22 Margam to Portbury empties (6C92) through Filton Abbey Wood, just as an empty 'Turbo' departs to change platforms via reversal on the Henbury line. Image credit: Stewart Jolly.

Branch Observation Day at Swindon

On 22^nd 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

Current 'Bristol Bulletin'

Photographic News Archive