Pilning

To Bristol, the North or London: Station Road - Pilning
To Wales: Ellinghurst Rhine

History

Opened on the 1st December 1886. Renamed Pilning High Level on 9th July 1928 with the opening of Pilning Low Level. Reverted to Pilning on 6th May 1968.

Track Plans

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  A track plan of Pilning station from 1988.

1960s

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  The view towards Severn Tunnel from the south end of Pilning. The siding on the right was used for storing the wagons used for carrying cars through the tunnel. © Gerald Peacock
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  The same spot but with a train waiting to proceed through Pilning station. © Gerald Peacock
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  The same train. This photo shows the siding behind and above the train where the Severn Tunnel car carrying train was stored. The powerlines above also give away exact location. © Gerald Peacock

1972

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  The entrance to the station. © Simon Whittingham
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  The main station building viewed from the footbridge. © Simon Whittingham
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  The waiting room on the down platform. © Simon Whittingham
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  A superbly atmospheric view east towards Bristol. © Simon Whittingham

1980s

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  25032 on the approach to Pilning. 28.5.82. © Neil Higson
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  An atmospheric shot which shows the rural nature of this part of Bristol.
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  The sun is setting and casts long shadows across the footbridge.

2003

29.11.03

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  The station sign on the approach road gives away the rural nature of this station.
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  A view of the station from the top of the approach road.
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  The view towards Bristol. An old bay platform is clearly visible, as is a brick 'hut'. The bay was used for loading cars onto flat wagons and taking then through the Severn Tunnel.
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  A close up of the bay.
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  And the brick building that is alongside.
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  A look at the footbridge.
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  The view towards Bristol from the footbridge.
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  Standing at the end of the platform and looking towards Wales. The bridge at Cross Hands Road can be seen in the distance.
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  The shelter on the Up platform.
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  A group of buildings alongside the Up platform.
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  143603 positively blasts past on a service to Cardiff Central.
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  A large selection of portakabins that are stacked in the station forecourt.

2006

28.4.06

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  Looking south from the station footbridge. The chimneys of Cattybrook Brickworks can be seen in the distance.
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  An HST storms out of the Severn Tunnel and starts the climb towards Patchway.

2007

February

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  158766 speeds towards Wales on 22.2.07
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  158776 is the rear portion of the train. 22.2.07.
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  An HST powers through the station. 22.2.07
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  And heads up the hill towards Patchway.

March

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  Bradley Manor slows on the approach to the station before the driver opened the regulator, much to the appreciation of the gathered crowd. This was her last mainline appearance. © Michael C G Owen 28.3.07
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  Before the Manor arrived the crowd were entertained by 47810 towing a refurbished HST powercar. © Michael C G Owen 28.3.07
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  The powercar was en-route to Landore. © Michael C G Owen 28.3.07

2008

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  A 2008 view towards the Severn Tunnel. A new signal gantry has been put in place. © Richard Eason
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  A few weeks later the original signal had been moved back to a new location. 11.11.08
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  The view towards Patchway showing the point that led to sidings at Pilning Junction has been removed.
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  A mobile signalling tower has been erected in the disused bay platform.
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  Two general views of the station.
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20.12.08

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  153372 arrives at the station and finds a gathering of people waiting to photograph 6024 King Edward 1 on a Christmas Capitals United Express special service. © Michael C G Owen

2009

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  A Nenta railtour with two Class 47s pass under the new signal gantry on 22.8.09. The gantry has been fitted with signal heads, but they weren't operational at that time. © Richard Eason

2018

3.5.18

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  Lots of changes since my last visit, the biggest of which is the removal of the footbridge and the closure of the Down platform.
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  The other big change is the arrival of masts as part of the electrification of the GW mainline to Cardiff.
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Videos

• HST at Pilning
• 60029 at Pilning