I've noticed that some of the track has been removed at St Andrew's Road, as well as some ground levelling. It's a bit further down on the right (facing SVB) where the (diesel storage?) block house was.

Anyone shed some light on the work that's going on?

cheers

rich

Thanks for everyone's input - much appreciated (knowledge is a wonderful thing). 

I'm quite glad the sleepers are being replaced between AVN and SAR - Every evening on the way home I peer down and see them in a terrible state of disrepair.

I know all of you know far more about the rail infrastructure than I - but I'm curious - the curve/radius between AVN and the SAR Level crossing is quite tight (sorry - I don't know the technical term). When replacing the rail, would the curve of the rail be created on site - of would it be pre-shaped?

Sorry for such a noob question - I'm just interested.

There were the inevitable teething problems to and from SVB at the beginning of this week (29/10 - 02/11/18).

The main complaint of the driver(s) was that they weren't given enough route training. With the evenings being dark - it led to quite a few missed turnings, circuitous routes and protracted journey times.

Today, things seem to have settled down (from my SVB-CFN^▸ (Clifton Down station)-SVB journeys anyway) - I just pray they remain stable for the rest of the scheduling. I understand the schools were on half term this week - so I can only assume all transport systems will be under a much greater strain next week.

Scheduling aside - the biggest problem I've found is coping with travel-sickness as the buses swing and judder their way around the route! The first couple of days - I did not feel well... 

I've noticed that the trackbed is being cleared alongside the new SITA Powerstation build on Severnside.

In their planning blurb, SITA did say they were going to re-instate the Railhead - but I thought this was just a ruse to get it through planning.

I'm assuming there will be interruptions to the Severn Beach line both during engineering works and scheduling of passenger services in future?

Anyone know of any rumours/timescales?

PS... I've noticed an increasing number of Class 70's at St Andrews Rd.. there can't be that many coal-fired Powerstations left to service?!

The BTP^▸ (British Transport Police) were aboard the commuter-time trains yesterday evening to back up FGW^▸ (First Great Western) staff over reducing the number of bicycles they can accept on a service.

This is a sticky one. I've noticed the level of bicycles has increased quite a bit over the past couple of weeks and I witnessed some cyclists getting angry when they were turned away from one particular service.

Since the school holidays, the number of carriages has be reduced to two (rather than three during peak), which I guess is fairly sensible on a cost basis. But I can't help wondering if FGW are missing a 'trick' here by not embracing the cyclists as revenue-earners, and maybe modifying some of the DMU^▸ (Diesel Multiple Unit)'s to have more flip up seats, to cope with it? Would FGW turn away multiple wheelchair users? Is there a limit to the latter?

I note that a lot of these cyclists must work within the Severnside industrial area - and it must be said that from SVB (and SAR) it can be a fair old walk to reach these distribution centres - hence why they opt for a bicycle, I guess.

Furthermore, those that work within the distribution centres probably aren't the highest of earners and therefore might not have access to a car. As has been said many times before, public transport past AVN to SVB is fairly non-existent. If the SGC & BCC^» (Bristol City Council - about) is determined to expand the area, it does need to address the commuting issue.

As an SVB resident and train commuter - I can assure you the bus service isn't up to much, with only a single bus serving Bristol - one in the morning and one in the evening. If the government want people out of cars - there needs to be a viable alternative. Although occasionally creaky - the train service is brilliant - and as I'm on there every day, I can tell you that passenger numbers are growing, with workers from all the distribution centres using it. Common sense would say there needs to be a platform at the Portway Park & Ride.

Furthermore, let us not forget the expansion (albeit slow) that is taking place in and around the Severnside/Avonmouth area. The 1957 'Carte Blanche' planning permission to build industrial units on the thousands of acres of old ICI land is still extant.

SITA has gained planning permission to build an "Energy Recovery Centre" next to the Seabank Powerstation. The planning application, refers to using rail to move waste into the site (along side the usual HGV movement) - I'm slightly sceptical of this... but it would be nice to see less HGV's on the road.

http://www.sita.co.uk/news-and-views/press-releases/secretary-of-state-gives-approval-for-sita-uk2019s

Along with the Deep Sea Port, another indication of expansion in this area is the current campaign to install a new junction on the M49 as the A403 is struggling to cope. I understand funding is becoming a reality - and this easy access will only encourage new business.

Lastly, I notice that the 'Severn Barrage' has reared it's ugly head again... Perhaps if it's built, the "Blue Lagoon" may once more become famous with tourists, with the estuary giving the potential for watersports and sailing! 

Just received via txt alert from FGW^▸ (First Great Western):

"Services between Severn Beach & Avonmouth will be altered Fri, Sat, Sun. Please check www.fgw.co.uk for details."

Via website:

"Alterations to services between Severn Beach, St Andrews Road, Avonmouth and Bristol Temple Meads from Friday 10th February until Sunday 12th February inclusive.

Due to essential engineering work at St Andrews Road, train services will not be able to operate between Severn Beach, St Andrews Road and Avonmouth from start of service on Friday 10th February until 1600 on Sunday 12th February. Replacement road transport will be in operation between these Stations and to take customers onwards to Stations to Bristol Temple Meads (as required).

Customers are advised to check this website at 1400 this afternoon for further details."
_____

I'm guessing it's something to do with the current SAR speed restrictions at the level crossing. I was told that a lorry shed some concrete over it.

Courtesy of http://www.jngroup.biz/  (via twitter)

(sorry if this has been posted elsewhere)

________________________________________________________________

SEVERN BEACH BRANCH LINE:

On Sunday September 18th the Severn Beach Line will be suspended until
Sunday October 23rd due to work needing to be carried out by Network Rail.

Buses will replace the train on Sundays departing Bristol Temple Meads at:

0908, 1023, 1123, 1223, 1323, 1423, 1523, 1623, 1723 and 1823

Buses will depart Severn Beach at:

1045 and 1830

Buses will depart Avonmouth at:

1000, 1100, 1145, 1245, 1345, 1445, 1545, 1645, 1745 and 1845

__________________________________________________________
I can't find any reference to this on NRE^‡(resolve) or FGW^▸ (First Great Western) (although it was only a quick look) so I hope the information is correct.

Does anyone have any idea what Network Rail are doing?

I've recently noticed Tata branded rails in the middle of the tracks at Avonmouth station (SVB to BRI^» (Bristol Temple Meads - next trains) direction).

Also... possible track work by the Oil refinery at 51.525286,-2.688292 (using google maps)? It may be someone having a laugh, but the 3 or 4 sleepers look very purposefully placed to suggest a set of points.

Nice to see the coal trains back at St Andrew's Road... it's been a bit quiet recently.

I was on the 07:20 SVB - BRI^» (Bristol Temple Meads - next trains) that morning, but there were less passengers boarding at SVB than usual... probably due to the summer holidays starting.

Of course the busier service is the 07:54hrs - I just hope that the footfall numbers recorded (either by SCRP or BCC^» (Bristol City Council - about)) are representative of the passenger numbers, and take into account seasonal changes.

I've also noticed that at Shirehampton or Sea Mills, the numbers fluctuate depending on the weather. Perhaps this is due to inadequate shelter on the platforms when it's raining?

As an aside, I still see people trying to get away without paying fares on this line (mainly stalling the conductor with credit/debit cards). I know 'people are people', but it's quite depressing to see this - especially bearing in mind how fantastically low the fares are.

Sorry... my mistake. I'd delete it if I knew how.

Last weeks article in the BEP
___________________________________________________________________________________________
"""NEWER trains with bigger carriages are on the way for the Severn Beach rail line, due to a "pretty spectacular" growth in popularity.

The line, which runs through Bristol from Temple Meads to Severn Beach via Clifton Down and Avonmouth, has seen a more than 20 per cent increase in passenger numbers in the last year.

First Great Western regional manager for the West of England Julian Crow described this as a "huge success story" when he spoke at a West of England Partnership meeting on transport. He told councillors: "The Severn Beach line growth is pretty spectacular. This is very, very encouraging. "The downside is some very cosy conditions on the busiest trains."

To help deal with the growing demand, Mr Crow said the trains used would be upgraded ^ probably in the summer ^ meaning they could add an extra 40 seats per train. The new trains would be more modern class 150 model, which can reach up to 75mph, although that speed would not be practical for much of the journey through Bristol. Passengers will find it easier to get on and off the new trains, Mr Crow added.

The older models are due to be sent to a northern rail franchise as part of a deal with the Department for Transport.

New ticket machines have also been added at a number of stops on the line in the last week, at Redland, Montpelier and Clifton Down.

Mr Crow said; "There is a lot of growth around Bristol and potential for growth. "There are pretty similar pictures on the Bath to Filton, Bristol to Cardiff and Bristol to Gloucester lines. "The current level of service on the Severn Beach line is confirmed to continue for the May timetable. "We are in negotiation with Bristol City Council to maintain the level of service and possible improvements to the evening service."

The city council put the subsidised service out to tender last year, as part of an effort to save money on all of the authority supported transport routes. This led to concerns that the line could be cut back despite the growth in popularity.

As revealed in the Evening Post earlier this month, the council did consider scrapping the line altogether as part of the ^28 million budget cuts for 2011/12 but has now discounted that idea.

Much of the growth in the line has come since the council made a number of improvements, including funding a second train to provide services every 40 minutes.""""
___________________________________________________________________________________________

Not sure the 150's can be classed as 'more modern' as didn't they come into service at the same time as the 143's in the 1980's? Moreover, I'm sure there will be a few grumpy cyclists as there's not a lot of room to get their bikes onto a 150. There are quite a few people who get on and off with bikes at peak times.

I'm glad the councils are still supporting the line - but the track could do with a bit of renewing at the SVB end!

Thanks...

Hi

I've noticed that some of the DMU^▸ (Diesel Multiple Unit)'s display a paper 'X' in the Cab window. Could someone tell me what it means? Does it help identify a particular type of train or service for signallers?

Just curious...

cheers

Rich