Four track for Filton Bank - ongoing discussion

[whole diary]

[DaveHarries]

Just for Grahames benefit.  This is what it all used to look like.  As well as the bits you can see there were also scissor crossings in the main platforms in the train shed that allowed two trains to access/egress to each part at any one time.

You can also just make out the Midland (LMS^▸ (London Midland Scottish - 1923 to 1948)) line heading away top right behind the gas holders.  Look at the size of the goods shed as well.  Anybody remember that?

And just to make sure we stay on topic the Filton lines head away north at the extreme right top.

Nice photo: thank you for sharing it although pity I can't see a bit more detail by zooming in because clicking on the image you posted doesn't make it bigger.

For my contribution to the matter of the LMS / Midland lines I have a map which gives the signalling layout through, I think, Bristol Temple Meads after the MAS had come in during the early 1930s. Seems to suggest that the connection from Bristol TM^‡(resolve) to the Mangotsfield line ran down the left-hand side of what is now Barton Hill WRD. The map has gaps where the backing allows the map to fold up so I edited the fold bit out although it is not hard to see where. Good investment that map: cost me £50 earlier this year (IIRC^▸ (if I recall/remember/read correctly)) at a bookfair in the old passenger shed at, coincidentally, Bristol Temple Meads.

HTIOI,
Dave

[grahame]

Just for Grahames benefit.  This is what it all used to look like.

Thank you - fascinating .... and I think it's proving of huge interest to others too 

[Bristolian]

Here's a view of mine, showing what used to be the Up and Down lines from the GW^▸ (Great Western) to the LMS^▸ (London Midland Scottish - 1923 to 1948) at Barton Hill, taken from the old Days Road bridge.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/bristol-re/4295535347/

Very Best Wishes,
Bob.

[SandTEngineer]

F4T T-4 

[martyjon]

Here's a view of mine, showing what used to be the Up and Down lines from the GW^▸ (Great Western) to the LMS^▸ (London Midland Scottish - 1923 to 1948) at Barton Hill, taken from the old Days Road bridge.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/bristol-re/4295535347/
Very Best Wishes,
Bob.

That piccy brings back memories. That shed ? (open barn) with the whitish roof in the piccy was the overnight/weekend stabling point for the Bristol Blue Pullman set.

[Dispatch Box]

Does anybody know at what time the newly laid Filton Bank will be handed back to train operators.

[Phantom]

Does anybody know at what time the newly laid Filton Bank will be handed back to train operators.

Not sure if this is normal but there is a crosscountry service timed to leave Barton Hill 0507 Monday morning and will be the first service through this area. It is going into Bristol Parkway (0519) then turning back (0531) and going to Bath Spa for 0556, and will form the 0609 to Glasgow

A freight train and an IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) are due through there just after

[SandTEngineer]

Does anybody know at what time the newly laid Filton Bank will be handed back to train operators.

The opening notice says effective from 0520 on 19 November 2019.

[Dispatch Box]

Does anybody know at what time the newly laid Filton Bank will be handed back to train operators.

The opening notice says effective from 0520 on 19 November 2019.

Lovely, Thanks for that.

[XPT]

Will there be two new platforms at Lawrence Hill and Stapleton Road?  Even though they would be on the fast lines and most of the time would not be used.

[SandTEngineer]

Will there be two new platforms at Lawrence Hill and Stapleton Road?  Even though they would be on the fast lines and most of the time would not be used.

There are no FAST^▸ (Federation Against Software Theft) LINES and there won't be any platforms.

[Red Squirrel]

Will there be two new platforms at Lawrence Hill and Stapleton Road?  Even though they would be on the fast lines and most of the time would not be used.

There are no FAST^▸ (Federation Against Software Theft) LINES and there won't be any platforms.

It's been discussed before, but I still don't understand: Does anyone know the operational or logical reasoning behind making passive provision for a four-platform station at Ashley Hill, whilst (in the same package of works) demolishing the main line platforms at Stapleton Road? Lawrence Hill is perhaps more debatable, but Stapleton Road was historically an interchange and could have been again...

[Bmblbzzz]

Passive provision is just space. It doesn't have to be filled and unless it involves extensively repositioning other things, it doesn't cost anything much. Any future station would need a platform on each "relief" line and the down platform being an island doesn't mean both sides have to be used, as Lawrence Hill and Stapleton Rd show. Perhaps this is overly cynical, I don't know...

[martyjon]

Passive provision is just space. It doesn't have to be filled and unless it involves extensively repositioning other things, it doesn't cost anything much. Any future station would need a platform on each "relief" line and the down platform being an island doesn't mean both sides have to be used, as Lawrence Hill and Stapleton Rd show. Perhaps this is overly cynical, I don't know...

There has been talk of a station at Constable Road but I can't see that there has been 'passive provision' for a station at that location but due to the existing (and historical) infrastructure the site of the former Horfield station has the looks of 'passive provision' for a station but that location is too near Filton Abbey Wood for a station, however from the piccys posted on this thread the 'passive provision' for a station on the site of the former Ashley Hill station would tend to serve the Lockleaze area just as well as one at Constable Road as the walk from most parts of Lockleaze would entail a walk along Constable Road itself whereas a phoenix of a station arising from the remains of the former Ashley Hill would entail a walk down Romney Avenue / Shaldon Road crossing Muller Road and up the track previously mentioned in a post of mine on this thread.

[Red Squirrel]

Passive provision is just space. It doesn't have to be filled and unless it involves extensively repositioning other things, it doesn't cost anything much. Any future station would need a platform on each "relief" line and the down platform being an island doesn't mean both sides have to be used, as Lawrence Hill and Stapleton Rd show. Perhaps this is overly cynical, I don't know...

S&TE's diagram shows passive provision for a four-platform station. While this passive provision was being made, Stapleton Road was being actively 'deprovisioned'.

There has been talk of a station at Constable Road but I can't see that there has been 'passive provision' for a station at that location but due to the existing (and historical) infrastructure the site of the former Horfield station has the looks of 'passive provision' for a station but that location is too near Filton Abbey Wood for a station, however from the piccys posted on this thread the 'passive provision' for a station on the site of the former Ashley Hill station would tend to serve the Lockleaze area just as well as one at Constable Road as the walk from most parts of Lockleaze would entail a walk along Constable Road itself whereas a phoenix of a station arising from the remains of the former Ashley Hill would entail a walk down Romney Avenue / Shaldon Road crossing Muller Road and up the track previously mentioned in a post of mine on this thread.

I seem to remember that NR^» (Network Rail - home page) are only prepared to schedule a single stop between Stapleton Road and Filton Abbey Wood. As to the Horfield Halt site: this is now full of high-speed pointwork, and there's nothing left of the old infrastructure... hard to see how that would ever be rebuilt.

Ashley Hill is a good location - potential for really good access, and handy for Fairfield School, City of Bristol College, The County Ground, Gloucester Road - OK, I'm biased; near me too.