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Avon Valley Railway Updates and Videos

Discussion in 'Heritage Railways & Centres in the UK' started by Corbs, May 15, 2013.

  1. Forestpines

    Forestpines Well-Known Member

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    Kelston station site is about 0.8mi from the current terminus - I don't think anything of the original station survives really?

    Brassmill Lane, Newbridge - where the cycle path stops - is another 2.5mi on from Kelston.

    (I have no connection to the railway; I just drew it out on plotaroute.com )

    The Kelston-Newbridge section basically parallels the GWR main line, with the two routes a few hundred yards apart, and in my opinion is a lot more scenic than the rest of the AVR
     
  2. theonlyadsrulz

    theonlyadsrulz Member

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    As Forestpines has already said, we're around 3/4 mile away from Keltson, the next stop on the line, though I don't believe anything remains of the original station. Newbridge is then a further 2.5 miles, this would give us an overall length of somewhere between 5.5-6 miles, essentially doubling the length of the current line. This would give us a run time, end-to-end, of around 25-30 minutes. The setup would be the same as it is now, with the railway running on the former Down line, and the cyclepath on the former Up line. The route is a mix of cuttings, open areas, and tree lined banks, pretty much the same as what we have now.
     
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  3. The Dainton Banker

    The Dainton Banker Well-Known Member

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    What is happening with this proposal ? It seems to have gone onto the back-burner for the last two or three years.
    Have other expenses/ projects taken precedence ? Is there a lack of support ? or of finance ? Are there planning issues ?
    It seems a very sensible idea to aim for Bath eventually but obviously needs to be taken in small steps. I suspect a carefully planned extension, in several parts, could get quite a bit of financial support if well publicised.
    Can you give us an update, please ?
     
  4. theonlyadsrulz

    theonlyadsrulz Member

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    Other projects have taken precedence, in particular the full signalling on Bitton is top priority for the Trust. The overhaul/restoration of Littleton No 5 is also high up on the list, getting her back in steam as soon as possible is what we're aiming for.

    There certainly isn't a lack of support, we always get people asking about an extension. Finance is always an issue, none of the things we have planned are cheap! There are other aspects that are currently being worked through which I won't go into detail here. The plan for extending is likely to be to get to Kelston first, and then to tackle Bath.
     
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  5. Talking to Bears 00

    Talking to Bears 00 New Member

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    Another Great Day at Avon Valley Railway, Hudswell Clarke 0-4-0ST No.1742 on duty today, thanks to all involved. :)

    Hudswell Clarke 0-4-0ST No 1742 10.04.19.jpg plate12.jpg
     
  6. free2grice

    free2grice Part of the furniture Friend

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    The Avon Valley Railway were on full form today with the return to steam of their 1928 built Fry’s chocolate factory steam locomotive from Keynsham. The polish 0-6-0 tank hauled service trains while the Fry's Sentinel hauled a guards van from Bitton station to the yard and back. Visitors were able to travel in the guards van for free if they had purchased a ticket for the main service train. I was pleased to see that there was also plenty to keep the younger generation happy.

    I couldn't fault it. Well done to the Avon Valley Railway. <BJ>

    Chocolate Train
    [​IMG]
    19 – 22 April (Good Friday to Easter Monday)

    ''This Easter sees the return to steam of the old Fry’s chocolate factory steam locomotive from Keynsham. It’s been over sixty years since the loco last worked under its own steam so join us to celebrate this special occasion.

    Plus there’ll be FREE Fry’s chocolate for everyone travelling on our trains! We’re grateful for support from Mondelez in making this happen.

    This Easter the Avon Valley Railway will be celebrating the return to steam of an important piece of local railway history. Sentinel locomotive 7492 spent much of its working life on the railway at Fry’s ‘Somerdale’ chocolate factory site in Keynsham (just a mile from the Avon Valley Railway). Following scrapping in 1964 it changed hands several times before one of the railway’s volunteers Eric Miles, tracked it down in 2009 to a garden shed in Essex before being able to return it to Bitton the following year. Since then a group of dedicated volunteers has worked tirelessly to restore the locomotive to running condition. They are undertaking a final push to ensure the locomotive runs under its own steam for the first time in many years during the Easter Weekend (19 – 22 April).

    During the ‘Chocolate Train’ event from Good Friday to Easter Monday there will be displays of historic Fry’s memorabilia and members of the restoration team will be on hand to show off the results of their hard work with the locomotive in steam each day. There will be free Fry’s chocolate for everyone plus a chocolate-themed trail around the Bitton station site.

    On Easter Saturday and Sunday there will also be arts and crafts onboard our trains. As well as dining train on the bank holidays.
    Good Friday:- Lunch time Fish ‘n’ Chips, enjoy fish ‘n’ chips with bread & mushy peas followed by an ice cream dessert.
    Bank Holiday Monday:- Morning Brunch, enjoy a welcoming glass of orange juice followed by a breakfast bap, danish pastry and tea/coffee.
    Bank Holiday Monday:- Afternoon High Tea, enjoy a welcoming glass of prosecco followed by finger sandwiches, scones with jam & cream and a selection of dainty cakes and pastries''.
     
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  7. Greenway

    Greenway Part of the furniture

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  8. The Green Howards

    The Green Howards Nat Pres stalwart

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    I've just found that - brought a huge smile to my face :) Are they blackout curtains around the cab? Reason I ask is because a great-uncle once remarked on having curtains on the shunting engines in New England during WW2.

    See also https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-en...-chocolate-factory-steam-train-to-be-restored
     
  9. Monkey Magic

    Monkey Magic Part of the furniture

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    I suspect that they are more likely to be protection against the weather. I’ve seen other largely open cabbed industrial locos with improvised curtains to give the crew some protection against the rain.

    On the subject of curtains, I have seen locos on the continent with net curtains around the cab. (I also saw a driver drive wearing only speedos and flip flops. (It was over 40c))
     
    Last edited: Apr 21, 2019
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  10. The Green Howards

    The Green Howards Nat Pres stalwart

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    And here's a thing - I'd much sooner go and see one of these (or other small engine) running on a heritage line than any number of larger engines. Much more interesting :)
     
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  11. DragonHandler

    DragonHandler Well-Known Member

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    I like all sizes of engines. I'm as happy to see a King as I am to see a 14xx :)
     
  12. Monkey Magic

    Monkey Magic Part of the furniture

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    What is nice is it shows that the value of a loco to a railway is not necessarily how many coaches it can haul. A unique local loco.
     
  13. Corbs

    Corbs Well-Known Member

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  14. Corbs

    Corbs Well-Known Member

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    A video from this weekend, Part 6 of The Somerdale Sentinel Story, The Chocolate Train.
    Great to see this old beauty out and in steam again!
     
  15. The Green Howards

    The Green Howards Nat Pres stalwart

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    Wonderful! Where can I see the other five parts? :)
     
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  16. Corbs

    Corbs Well-Known Member

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  17. The Green Howards

    The Green Howards Nat Pres stalwart

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    Thank you very much indeed, @Corbs !!

    And of course, this ties in nicely with the Cadbury-liveried Sentinel Steam Waggon I see at events.:)

    Having now watched all those videos, I was delighted to hear of all the generosity shown by various parties in returning it to its spiritual home - and now I know what's under that 'biscuit tin' at the front!
     
    Last edited: Apr 22, 2019
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  18. Talking to Bears 00

    Talking to Bears 00 New Member

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    The Chocolate Train Event at Avon Valley Railway, Sentinel 4WVBT No.7492 Fry's looking great running trips to the yard and back with the brake van, Fablok TKH49 No.4015 Karel on heritage line duty.
    What a wonderful sight to see restored and a great day, Thanks to everybody involved in the restoration and all the volunteers at the Avon Valley Railway. :)

    Sentinel 4WVBT - 7492 Fry's.jpg plate.jpg Sentinel 4WVBT - 7492 Fry's - a.jpg Fablok TKH49 No.4015 Karel.jpg
     
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  19. The Green Howards

    The Green Howards Nat Pres stalwart

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  20. Corbs

    Corbs Well-Known Member

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    That'd be cool, any idea whereabouts it's based? Might be a good shout for when the livery on the Sentinel is finished and it has its brake and goods van!
     

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