Bristol Mangotsfield station, Staple Hill station, Warmley station. Any memories of these ?

I was recently working in Bristol and had a walk along the cycle path from the former Staple Hill station, through the tunnel to Mangotsfield station and finally to the former Warmley station. It is very interesting to do and can recommend it. (Shame is isn't still in use) Does anyone have any memories/photos of these areas when they were in use ?

Mangotsfield especially was once a double track triangular junction with the station on two sides of the triangle so had 5 platforms 4 of which are still there although only small retaining walls from the station building itself survive.

See here for a short video of of the tunnel (it starts at Staple Hill station and you can see the platform on the left) . Mangotsfield is about 1 mile at the other end of the tunnel.



Staple Hill station with tunnel in background of the picture


How Mangotsfield station looks now.





How Mangotsfield used to look

 

My father did his national service at RAF Pucklechurch (now a prison) so the local station for pick up was Mangotsfield. He spent hours there waiting for trains or to be collected, even yomping back to camp if the train was late and the truck had already left. From there his trip home to Bournemouth West would be over the S&D. Unluckily all this was before he could afford a camera. He still has fond memories of the place.

 

If you go on the Avon Valley website they have pictures of the line. Also try the Bristol Railway Archive site as they have some too including (blows own trumpet) some of mine.

 

I recommend a visit to Warmley signalbox, which has been partially restored by one of the last signalmen to work it before the line closed.

 

Yes I have seen it from the outside, not been inside. Would be great to see the Avon Valley Railway extend to Warmley and the signal box brought back into use.

 

Been discussed elsewhere - not likely to happen, partly due to local opposition and partly due to little advantage being gained - you'd get an extension to a backwater of Bristol with a main A road to cross to get into Warmley station. All in all better to head the other way towards Bath which is a tourist honey pot.

 

Plus there would be a further level crossing over a minor road between Warmley and Oldland Common, even if the line terminated South of the A420.

 

My old stamping grounds (family lived and worked in various places around here) so I have fond, if distant memories of this whole area.
No pictures, unfortunately, but my father might have some ...

 

My father tells me that The Devonian was often sent along there and that when they had been on a job in the Birmingham area the train would pass through Mangotsfield and they often thought about jumping off to save time of going into Bristol then back out. It was a busy station for servicemen and the WRVS had a van at the station as well as the buffet and that even at 2am there would be guys hanging around waiting for trains, the platforms would be littered with kit bags with people dozing off or playing cards under the lights.
PS. Dad says that he spent that much time sat on his kit bag looking at the station roof that he could probably build an accurate model just from memory.

 

Warmley station is up for sale if you have a spare £850k!

 

Do you have a link to the details? TIA.

 

https://www.daviesandway.com/property-for-sale/bristol-london-road-warmley/bs30-5jb/1952518

Hope this helps


Keith

 

Thanks.

 

Seems very expensive but could be the chance for the Avon Valley to do their own mini Broadway.
Also as only the waiting room/cafe would be of interest to them, then maybe they could just acquire that part ? Any wealthy supporters who might buy the house for themselves and then sell off the waiting room to the railway ? To me with the waiting room and signal box surviving and it being only 1.3 miles from their current operation is is an obvious goal.

 

My first thought was how cheap it is, if that is including the cafe business! Just the house on its own is surely worth at least £600k.

The main issue facing any extension of the AVR to Warmley would be the level crossings needed - even if the line were to stop short of the main road at Warmley, one would be needed at Southway Drive.