Great Western Coffee Shop

I was out and about on the railway today, and I saw this: where was I?

(http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/2194/xj6q.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/41/xj6q.jpg/)

Bristol Temple Meads.

More precisely, by the iron gates that give staff access to platform 3 alongside Bonaparte's Cafe Bar.

Incidentally, type "Bonaparte's Bristol" into Google as an image search and the second 'hit' is a picture of two familiar GW Coffee Shop faces....  ;)

Correct:

(http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/9993/4kcw.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/19/4kcw.jpg/)


It's probably best not to dwell too long on that image of those particular two reprobates ...  ::) :P ;D

...and if you don't mind Chris. To continue the theme, built just one year later, where's this:

(http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt68/bignosemac/eng_zpsbb7b3e73.jpg)

Actually, I do mind - at least mine had the merit of being placed somewhere on the Bristol & Exeter Railway!  Your picture could be absolutely anywhere!  :o ;D

OK. A clue.

It's in GW territory, and like the first picture it is near to the station's secondary entrance.

Hmmm ... that's not much of a clue, actually, but it does narrow the search area down a fair bit, considering Westwood Baillie (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westwood,_Baillie) built stuff which was used all over the world!

Looking at the overall impression of decay and neglect evident in your picture: would I be wasting my time in trying to find something on the Severn Beach Line to fit that image?  :-\

.... just a few miles up the line from the location of the first picture...

Presumably somewhere on the line to Portbury docks?

I said up the line from the location of the first picture. And not toward Derby on Midland Railway metals.  ;)

I claim it to be the principal station in Bristol's second-nicest suburb - Bath Spa

Correct. The footbridge over the River Avon giving access to the south side of Bath Spa station.

(http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt68/bignosemac/SAM_0093_zps3df6689a.jpg)

I think you're right ;)

Footbridge at the rear entrance to Platform 1 on the Down Side.

*edit* Posted just after BNM posted the correct answer ;D

... and, for another perspective, see http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/179573  ;)

So. Whilst my picture could have been absolutely anywhere, there was method in my madness.  ;) ;D

Now... I await a picture of a maker's mark dated 1878 from somewhere on or near GW territory, to continue the theme.

Had a look through my extensive archive. Don't have one.  :P