The company which owns Temple Meads has drawn up a multi-million pound plan to transform Isambard Kingdom Brunel's iconic station.

The station is owned by Network Rail and the organisation has announced it is to launch a feasibility study into its ambitious plans.

​
An artists's impression of the redevelopment of the Temple Meads area in Bristol

The work will coincide with the ^1 billion electrification of the Great Western line between Bristol and London.

As part of the scheme the approach to the station is to be closed off to traffic and turned into a pedestrian- friendly piazza. And there are also plans to create a new main entrance to the station at the side of the building. The move will mean the entrance would be in the same spot originally planned by Brunel.

The redevelopment work is also being planned to coincide with the creation of a new Enterprise Zone and is expected to be completed by 2018.

More than nine million passengers use the station every year and that total is expected to increase by around 50 per cent over the next decade.

The electrification of the Great Western Railway will mean that trains will arrive in Bristol from the capital every 15 minutes. Two disused platforms are to be reopened and a new terminus built for the London services. There are also hopes that rail links between Bristol, South Wales, the South West and the North will be improved.

A new subway under the existing forecourt is also on the cards, complete with shops and concession stands. It is hoped that improvement and refurbishment work can be carried out on the ornate facade of the station.

Work is also being carried out on platforms and junctions so the number of trains coming into the station can be increased.

A spokesman for Network Rail said: "Temple Meads is located right in the heart of the new Enterprise Zone and is among the busiest and fastest growing rail interchanges in the country. The rail industry, with support from the Greater Bristol area, including the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership, is currently developing a strategy to transform Bristol Temple Meads station into a world-class gateway for the city by the end of the decade."

If all goes to plan the refurbishment will start in the spring of 2014 and would be completed by 2018, when the new super-fast service between London and Bristol is launched.

The Post revealed some details of the new Enterprise Zone yesterday. An official launch for the zone was taking place today at a temporary circus tent which has been erected on land normally used as a car park next to the station.

The Local Enterprise Partnership is the driving force behind the ambitious scheme which could create up to 20,000 new jobs in the city.

Coln Skellett, the chairman of the of the LEP, said: "What we want is a world-class station to welcome people travelling to Bristol to do business with companies in the Enterprise Zone. Temple Meads has been in need of some attention for several years and we want to see it restored back to its former glory."

Work by developers TCN UK has already started on Collett House, which is next to the station, to turn it into a creative and digital campus, called Temple Studios. The scheme follows the first phase of their same company's Temple Gate project, which started with the redevelopment of the historic Bristol and Exeter House next to the current station approach.

As reported in the Post, the Government agency the Homes and Community Association has bought Brunel's Old Station building for ^5 million.

It will hand over the building to the city council and it will be used as a conference centre and hub for new businesses looking to move into the Enterprise Zone.

The nearby Pest Control Depot in Cattle Market Road is also being demolished to make way for a new bridge, which will connect the site earmarked for the long-awaited indoor arena to the Enterprise Zone and the rest of the city.

We aim to expand the station to ease congestion and provide excellent connectivity to London, the South West, Wales and the North.

Patrick Hallgate, our route managing director for Western said: ^Growing Bristol^s railway is vital to the success of the city^s new enterprise zone. A robust rail infrastructure is vital to a thriving economy and the rail industry is poised to support Bristol with an integrated rail strategy.

^Bristol Temple Meads is located right at the heart of the enterprise zone and is among the busiest and fastest growing rail interchanges on the Western route, receiving more than nine million passengers on average every year. Redeveloping the station into a world-class rail gateway, with excellent rail links, will be significant to help position the new business district as an ideal location for investment, whilst boosting economic growth and catering for growing rail demand.^

Feasibility study

We're leading a high-level feasibility study currently being carried out to determine the validity of this proposal, which is subject to Government funding.

Our proposal includes:

Station capacity improvements to ease current and predicted passenger congestion
A new eastern station access to ease congestion and provide a convenient link across and around Temple Quarter
A light and airy subway extension under the existing forecourt to provide a welcoming environment and improve retail opportunities for local businesses, whilst preserving the vistas of the historic grade 1 listed structure
Redeveloping the Digby Wyatt shed to bring it back to its former usage and reinstating two disused platforms for more train services

Additional improvements

We also recommend a number of improvements to the infrastructure to provide better journey times and more space, as well as flexibility on the railway around Bristol.

These recommendations include remodelling a key junction into the station area, additional infrastructure on the line to Bristol Parkway and improving the line-speed to the south west.

Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone could bring jobs and new arena to Bristol

BRISTOL'S economy could be transformed and thousands of new jobs created under a new masterplan revealed today by the Post.

The city's Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone will be officially launched tomorrow ^ and with it, a blueprint for the Temple Meads area which includes a complete revamp of the city's main station and plans for a long-awaited indoor arena.

The team behind the ambitious scheme has come up with a 25-year vision designed to breathe new life into large chunks of the city and create a vibrant business, commercial and shopping district.

New squares and public spaces, a marina, roads and infrastructure are included.

The zone, drawn up by a partnership involving business leaders and the city council, comes with perks such as relaxed planning conditions, concessions on business rates and access to ultra-fast broadband.

The team behind the scheme wants to use potential income from the area to raise ^200 million worth of funding to help pay for infrastructure work.

The scheme will be officially launched tomorrow at an event at a temporary circus tent next to the station, which will be used to stage events throughout the summer. The aim is to give the new area a running start and attract interest from investors.

The creation of the Temple Meads Enterprise Zone was first announced by Chancellor George Osborne in last year's Budget.

The ultimate aim is to create 17,000 new jobs and bring 400 new firms to the city over the next two decades. The city's Local Enterprise Partnership, the organisation which is masterminding the scheme, has high hopes that the BBC will move its Bristol operation from Whiteladies Road on to vacant land next to the station and discussions have been taking place for several months.

The other major element of the scheme is a plan to build a 12,000-seat indoor arena on vacant land behind the station. The former diesel depot site was originally owned by the now-axed South West Regional Development Agency, which pumped ^20 million into the project, only to then decide it was not viable.

But the LEP, which has taken over the agency's development role in Bristol, has come up with a cheaper alternative arena scheme and says several operators are already interested.

The planned redevelopment of Temple Meads station has been included in the scheme and the idea is to completely refurbish the historic building. A new platform is planned in Brunel's original Passenger Shed for the service linking Bristol to London and the aim is to shift the main entrance of the building to where the long-stay car park now stands, creating a passenger hub to connect rail and bus services. Once electrification of the Great Western line is completed, high speed trains will run to London every 15 minutes.

The Paintworks project in Brislington is also part of the Enterprise Zone, along with a strip of land for creative companies, dubbed the "media mile".

The final strand of the project is the redevelopment of the St Philip's area to make it more attractive to businesses.

Colin Skellett, pictured, the chairman of the LEP, said: "What we want is to have a rail connection which will mean people will be able to travel to Paris in four hours.

"We want a modern and efficient transport system which will see people arriving into Bristol right into the heart of a vibrant business, commercial and leisure district to rival any city in the world.

"There is no other major city in the UK that does not have an arena and we want to address that situation."

He described the BBC as a "cornerstone of the Enterprise Zone".

City Council Leader Barbara Janke said: "Bristol has a huge amount to offer potential businesses wishing to invest. With its simplified planning and business rate discounts, the Enterprise Zone offers an exciting investment opportunity at the heart of the city and the South West region."

The Homes and Communities Agency, which owns three pieces of land around the station, has spent ^5 million on Brunel's Old Station and the derelict Pest Control Depot in Cattle Market Road.

Part of the listed Old Station building will be used as a conference venue and a centre for new businesses.

Organisations which have agreed to lend their help and expertise to the scheme include the major banks, stockbroker Hargreaves Lansdown and Bristol University. The University of the West of England, IBM, the Watershed and media umbrella group Bristol Media are also involved.

Refurbishment work has also started on Collett House next to the station and talks are taking place with the owners of the of derelict Royal Mail sorting office with the aim of turning the building into a brand new office block.

A spokeswoman for the BBC said: "At the moment we are looking at potential sites for re-location within the city, including the newly created Enterprise Zone, and have not ruled anything out."

All looks really positive, but why not abandon Temple Meads and build a modern station near Dr Day's Junction?

I suspect that there is sufficient capacity both at Temple Meads and within the greater Bristol area that additional land probably isn't required.

Platform 1 extended into the old shed, and a new platform 0, re-open Platform 2, and there is also options I'm sure to remodel around 15.

Once Filton bank is 4 tracked there's scope for Lawrence Hill improvements as a better interchange from the east if rhubarb curve is utilised.

Although I don't use it there must be options for improvements at Bedminster to serve inbound from the west.

Temple Meads is already a long way from the City Centre. Why would you want to move it any further away?

Yes there are plenty of bay platforms, and the new London services can use those that will be restored in the old train shed, but the Bristol Metro proposals call for more through platforms.

Forgive me but I cannot think of a City other than London where the main railway station is 2 miles out of [Bristol] city centre.

Bristol Temple Meads is the main railway station, situated approximately 15 minutes' walk from the City Centre.

Do Bristolians really walk that quickly?

And those that didn't want to walk could look for a closer station on the Bristol Metro services.

Do Bristolians really walk that quickly?

I cannot think of a City other than London where the main railway station is 2 miles out of the city centre. 

It must be borne in mind that the station must be by the railway   !!!

^100 million promised for Temple Meads revamp

A Government minister has announced that ^100 million is to be spent on bringing Bristol's Temple Meads station into the modern age ^ with more cash on the way.

The money will be divided between upgrading the station and opening up two unused platforms for the new electrified trains which will operate between Bristol and London.


Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin at Temple Meads station

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin came to Bristol for the cabinet meeting and met bosses from First Great Western and Network Rail at the station.

As well as revealing that ^100 million will be spent on Brunel's Victorian masterpiece the minister added that he is looking forward to working with the city's first elected mayor.

During the visit it emerged that Network Rail, which operates the station, has put ^100 million to one side to pay for a major revamp of the historic building. And more money is also expected to be spent on creating a new entrance at the side of the building and turning the current approach into a public square.

Mr McLoughlin said: "This is a fantastic facility and a fantastic station and there has been a big increase in demand for rail travel in recent years. It is fantastic that such a great city as Bristol is going to get a great service to match its aspirations."

From the Bristol Post:

Giant plant appears at Temple Mead station

Passengers arriving at Temple Meads Station were greeted by what appeared to be a bizarre sight - a giant plant growing out of the ground.

The inflatable was part of an art project designed to attract people and businesses to the new Enterprise Zone around the station.


Giant plant appears at Temple Meads

Two new artworks by Bristol based Filthy Luker and Inky were unveiled yesterday as part of the new campaign.

The installations are part of the BTQ Commissions project and aim to provide a better welcome to the city at Temple Meads and raise awareness over the new Enterprise Zone.

A competition was also launched at the station by Bristol Festival of Ideas director Andrew Kelly to help visitors learn about the area and guide them on their way.

Proposals include short films, posters, cartoons, short stories, street art or drama performances. The Creative Gateway competition will give ten awards of ^500 for project proposals to be developed.

Bristol City Council has bought an office block near Temple Meads railway station for ^18 million as part of a massive overhaul of council offices.

But what should it be called?


100 Temple Street

The former London Life headquarters are uninspiringly known as 100 Temple Street. But the office block is capable of eventually housing 2,000 staff who are currently based in a varied collection of 35 buildings throughout the city. The long-term aim is to bring all the admin staff together mostly into 100 Temple Street and City Hall in College Green which will undergo a refurbishment of nearly ^8 million.

We are asking readers to suggest a new name for the office block which befits its new high-profile role.

Bristol mayor George Ferguson said: ^It makes complete sense for the council to vastly reduce the number of offices it currently owns or leases across the city and consolidate into a few core offices. The location of 100 Temple Street is very strategic next to Temple meads and the planned Metrobus interchange, as well as being right at the heart of our ambitious plans for Redcliffe and the whole Enterprise Zone area.^

He said they looked at various other offices in the city which the council could have bought - some of which could have been cheaper - but this office block trumped the others, mostly due to its location near Temple Meads. In the years to come, Mr Ferguson sees council staff travelling to work on the metro system to Temple Meads and walking a few hundred yards to their office.

The council could also not have bought a better time due to the recession which has seen the bottom fall out of the commercial property market. It is understood that the purchase price was less than half what the owners, Aviva Investors Property Trust, paid for the office block at the height of the boom in 2005.

The purchase also rules out converting an empty bonded warehouse in the Cumberland Basin which was suggested last year. Mr Ferguson said: ^We looked carefully at A Bond but it was not right for this move. It would have been more expensive, would have provided less functional workspace and was in an inappropriate location. However, there remains a great opportunity for A Bond to be developed in partnership as a residential or mixed use development as part of a wider regeneration of Cumberland Basin.^

The refurb of City Hall will take about six to nine months and although all the staff will be moved out during the process, it will still be used for council meetings and events. Although it is a Grade II* listed building, City Hall is woefully inadequate as council offices in the 21st century. The makeover will see the removal of partitioning to create open space offices, new cabling to accommodate upgraded software, a new customer service point to replace Phoenix Court in New Bond Street and even a cafe and meeting rooms for clubs and groups.

^I really want to see City Hall used in the same way as in many European cities so it becomes a market place for people to meet,^ Mr Ferguson said. The overhaul of council offices will cost a whopping ^70 million in outlay - but council officers have conservatively estimated that savings on running costs will give a net ^profit^ during the next 25 years of ^40 million.

Mr Ferguson said Bristol was playing ^catch up^ with other councils such as Birmingham, Wiltshire and Swindon which had already started the process of rationalising its office space. He said: ^This is not about providing comfort or luxury for council staff - it^s about running services as efficiently as we possibly can in good working conditions.^

The council currently uses 53,000 sq metres of office space in the city which will be reduced to 32,000 sq metres although Mr Ferguson is asking for even more savings.

Council staff are expected to move into 100 Temple Street from the beginning of next year which will open the way for City Hall to be refurbished. It will also mean that some council buildings will be available for other possible uses - including new primary schools.

The office shake up which has been worked on by a team of officers for the past few years due to its complexity, is being paid for with prudential borrowing - low-cost loans from the Government which are only available to local authorities.

The purchase of 100 Temple Street has already been welcomed by business leaders and property experts in the city.

Ned Cussen, on behalf of the Bristol Property Agents Association, said: ^This is good news for all of Bristol and I commend the initiative from the council. It will enable the council to deliver more efficient services in a first class building. It is also a great location for both staff and visitors. 100 Temple Street is a quality building and the deal represents good value for money. Whichever way you look at it, this a major property deal for Bristol and gives a great lift to the local economy.

"More so, it uses vacant space and gives a great boost to the Enterprise Zone at Temple Meads. The zone will be one of the major focuses for economic activity in the Greater Bristol area in the next decade. This deal makes far more sense than trying to convert the red brick Tobacco Bond at Cumberland Basin to offices.^

Colin Skellett, chairman of Wessex Water and the Local Enterprise Partnership, said: ^This is great news for Bristol and makes eminent strategic sense in terms of its location alongside the Enterprise Zone with its great regional transport links. It is encouraging to see the mayor driving these efficiency measures through in the intests of more effective and economic governance.^

Phil Smith, MD of Business West, said: ^We applaud George for taking decisive action to implement more efficient and effective ways of accommodating council staff. Whilst this may seem obvious and a rleatively minor decision, it will actually provide some important benefits. More staff housed in fewer offices and less space will save the council money at a time when budgets are particularly tight - a saving of around ^40 million over 25 years is a significant amount that can now be used to help create jobs and improve the environment of the city.

^The idea of relocating council staff close to Temple Meads and the Enterprise Zone shows the mayor^s commitment to further regenerating this area and creating a focus for activity and enterprise, hopefully this will encourage others to do the same.^

I am afraid the Luftwaffe 'knocked it about a bit'. 

Went through Temple Meads today.

On the way in I was reminded that an extra couple of metres on the South side of P15 would make a P16 possible in the future.

Then I looked at the space and tracks between P3/5 and thought wouldn't it be much more satisfactory to use that space - under the roof - for passengers and have the through roads on the south side.

...Bristol is too far down a very long list for investment like that.

Having up freight traffic cross the throat to access the Up Filton would seriously limit capacity as well.

If you will indulge this flight of fancy a little further, it strikes me that it would be fantastic to have a glass wall between the Brunel part of the Old Station (the bit where they hold the Beer Festival) and the extension. This would allow passengers could see the old hammerbeam roof from the new platforms, and conference-goers could see out into the station.

I accept that it is not going to get a Reading-style track expansion (is it a bottleneck?), but I think it is reasonable to expect that they do a decent job on the building.

I would like to think a bay platform 2 could be reopened for Portishead services at the same time.

Isn't the idea to have through services to destinations north of Temple Meads? That would be much more useful than spending money reinstating a bay and forcing people to change. And more productive in terms of rolling stock use.

Edited to fix quotes - bobm

Having up freight traffic cross the throat to access the Up Filton would seriously limit capacity as well.

There is in theory a bypass route, although whether it would solve problems of capacity or add to them I know not.

Freight from west of Temple Meads heading north, and vice versa, could go via Bristol West Junction, past St Phillips Marsh TMD, North Somerset Junction, the rhubarb curve, Dr Day's Junction and onto the Up Filton.

Whilst this avoids Temple Meads itself there would still be the problem of threading freight services across the various junctions between passenger services.

There is in theory a bypass route, although whether it would solve problems of capacity or add to them I know not.

Freight from west of Temple Meads heading north, and vice versa, could go via Bristol West Junction, past St Phillips Marsh TMD, North Somerset Junction, the rhubarb curve, Dr Day's Junction and onto the Up Filton.

Whilst this avoids Temple Meads itself there would still be the problem of threading freight services across the various junctions between passenger services.

Transformation of Engine Shed into enterprise hub gets underway

Press release issued 28 May 2013

Work to transform Brunel^s terminal for the Great Western Railway into a 21st century launch pad for a new generation of businesses is underway.

Rydon Construction has been appointed in a deal between Bristol City Council and the University of Bristol to refurbish Brunel^s Grade 1 Listed Engine Shed into a business and innovation centre for fast-growing technology firms.



The building will be transformed from its previous use, as the former home of the Empire and Commonwealth Museum, into a permanent base for 20 companies and will provide the resources and facilities for a further 40, including a business lounge at the centre of the building.

It will be managed by Bristol SETsquared Centre ^ the University^s double award-winning business incubator - who will take the majority of the space to provide premium serviced offices for its early-stage technology businesses.

Nick Sturge, Director of the Bristol SETsquared Centre which is currently based at University Gate East in Clifton, said: ^This is such an exciting project, both for the University^s SETsquared Centre but also for the Bristol and Bath city region, and we are delighted that work is now underway to deliver the iconic space that we have planned for.^

The project is funded principally by Bristol City Council and the University of Bristol, together with central government funding via City Deal. A total of ^1.5 million is being invested to breathe new life into the Engine Shed.

Paul Barber, South West Regional Director of Rydon Construction, said: "We welcome the challenge to work on this unique building and play our role, as a locally based contractor, in presenting Bristol as a focal point for UK business and innovation.

^Drawing on our experience on complex projects in this region, Rydon will work closely with SETsquared, the University of Bristol and the Council to ensure we manage the build considerately and respectfully so this Grade 1 Listed structure is preserved as it begins its new life.^

The building will also house the new West of England^s shared inward investment service Invest in Bristol and Bath.

Work to the Brunel building forms part of the Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone, a 70-hectare regeneration programme centred around Temple Meads railway station, to create a new, superbly connected entry to Bristol and a hub for creative, high technology, specialist engineering and low carbon companies in the centre of Bristol. Over the next 25 years, the Enterprise Zone aims to attract more than 400 firms and create over 17,000 new jobs.

A new ^100m vision for Bristol's Temple Meads

A VISION of how Brunel^s historic Temple Meads Station could look in the future has been unveiled.

Network Rail, the landlords of the historic building, are planning a radical ^100 million revamp of the Victorian structure as part of work to regenerate the area around the station.

​
The new plan for Temple Meads

The improvements will be the biggest overhaul seen at the station for more than 140 years ^ and could even include the removal of the existing ramp leading up to the station.

The plans are still in a very early stage and discussions are due to take place with key organisations such as English Heritage but the outlines of the scheme are starting to emerge.

 
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The aim is to complete all the work by the end of 2019, two years after the electrification of the London to Bristol rail line has been completed.

Details emerged at a conference held in Brunel^s Passenger Shed yesterdayTHU.

Delegates were shown proposals which would include the creation of a new entrance at the side of the station building, a subway and a new glass front.

The early drawings also show plans for a new pedestrian square at the front of the station, which would replace the existing concourse.

Around 300 delegates at the conference looking at the progress being made in the Enterprise Zone were given a sneak preview of the station plans.

There were also updates on the work being done to bring a 12,000 seater stadium to Bristol. The audience was told negotiations with an operator were well under way. Work on improving on access to the land earmarked for the arena is due to start within a matter of months.

Mike Gallop, from Network Rail, is part of the team drawing up plans to transform Temple Meads.

He said: ^Temple Meads set the template for modern commercial stations across the world. It was built as a driver for trade and commerce and that blueprint is what we are trying to recreate today.

^We want to link Bristol to London and the rest of the country and, at the same time, we will be recreating the engine of trade and commerce.

^There is a case for Bristol Temple Meads to be redeveloped to meet future passenger demand and to unlock the potential of the land asset around it, so that it supports the aspirations of Bristol Enterprise Zone and city council.

^However, the task to do so will be enormous. There are the considerations of building on a live railway, meeting the government^s efficiencies target and overcoming constraints posed by a heritage structure.^

Paul Wilson, below, the chief executive of the Local Enterprise Partnership, is overseeing the Enterprise Zone and the work being done in the area.

He revealed that negotiations are ^very much^ in progress to bring in an operator to run the long-awaited indoor arena, in the hope that the 12,000-seater venue opens within four years^ time.

The plans will also include a new passenger interchange at the side of the station, which would connect Temple Meads to the rest of the city^s public transport network.

A spokesman for the enterprise zone said: ^The station approach ramp is extremely congested, with conflicting vehicle movements, which Network Rail and Bristol City Council are hoping to improve.

^A successful passenger transport interchange will provide a seamless end-to-end journey between all modes of transport, including cycling and walking.^

George Ferguson has already pledged that an arena will be built before his term as Bristol^s first elected mayor comes to an end.

A feasibility study has been carried out for an arena on the former diesel depot site near the station.

The study found that there is support and demand for an arena, along with interest from leading operators in the entertainment sector.

Can we hope that when the wires come in and the mail conveyor is removed, they put aside a few quid to keep the roof clean and the gutters swept?

^6 million windfall signals the end for Bristol's eyesore GPO building

BRISTOL'S worst eyesore is finally set to be knocked down, thanks to a ^6 million windfall from the Government to buy the site from an investment firm. The former Royal Mail sorting office has blighted the view of passengers arriving in Bristol at Temple Meads station since it closed down in 1997.

The Bristol Post understands a deal to buy it is "very close", thanks to funding announced yesterday by Communities Minister Stephen Williams.

Read more at http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/EXCLUSIVE-pound-6m-windfall-signals-end-Bristol-s/story-21156873-detail/story.html#T1h7szjOuyIB3oyo.99

Minister unlocks Bristol^s Arena site to major development

Work to unlock a development site which has been earmarked for Bristol^s ambitious Arena project is about to start in earnest.

Communities Minister and Bristol West MP Stephen Williams joined partners at the Diesel Depot site beside Temple Meads station today to mark the start of infrastructure work which will unlock the site for major development.

The ^11.5m project commissioned by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) will see a new two lane bridge installed over the River Avon to improve links with the station and the rest of the city. Work is also underway to enhance the bridge by creating a green corridor using trees and other climbing plants across its structure and along pedestrian routes.

More details: http://www.bristoltemplequarter.com/news/news/2014/05/29/minister-unlocks-bristol%E2%80%99s-%E2%80%98arena-site%E2%80%99-to-major-development/

Hmm...   I reckon that should take about ten seconds to decide.

Paul

The canopies along the platforms appear to have been cut back to accommodate the Conveyor bridge. Given the overall benefits of the current proposals, we do not object the cladding of the severed ends of the canopies with traditional dagger-boards; however, in the longer term consideration might be given to reinstating the missing elements of the canopies.

Excellent news!

Should make London end photography more aesthetically pleasing. Hoping there's a gap between conveyor removal and knitting going up.

Spotted something interesting (well, I think it is!) in this document 'Growing Bristol^s Railway' (undated, unfortunately), by Chris Aldridge, Principal Strategic Planner at Network Rail Western: http://www.travelwest.info/sites/default/files/Network%20Rail%20process.pdf

I saw heavy plant on the site yesterday.

This poster gives a nice 'before and after' (sorry for the jaunty angle but it was that or have a big flash reflection in the middle of it!).

As an aside, you'd never know that floor was wet without that trip hazard cone there would you? 

I was at Temple Meads this evening I caught the 17:13 to Avonmouth just as we were pulling out a steam engine came in on the middle road I did not see what it was it might have been a battle of Britain class southen loco
Can anyone shed some light on this for me ?.

Railway Touring Club
  THE BATH AND BRISTOL CHRISTMAS MARKET 
Thursday 27 November 2014
LMS Class 5MT 4-6-0 no 45407
SR Light Pacific 4-6-2 no 34067 Tangmere

Timings here.

I saw the Black 5 trundling over the girder bridge by the Dogs' Home.  Surprising how this kind of thing barely causes a raised eyebrow these days; twenty years ago it would have been on the front page of the Evening Post.

Why on earth did they paint it such a vile colour, by the way? The bridge that is, not the Black 5; black is a perfectly respectable colour for an engine, especially a Black 5, though I do feel it should have yellow (or, better, hi-viz orange) ends.

Thanks for the heads up - I have set my BT box to record the 2100 report. I have a DVD recorder, and if it's a good piece, I might be able to do a rather tortuous link up, followed by a rip to Youtube or similar, and post here.

Was the report about the conveyor bridge in "The 9"? I set my Sky box to record "The 6" programme, and for some technical reason, the second part of the program went AWOL and wasn't shown so no idea if it featured.