Bitton

<googlemap lat="51.432447" lon="-2.476301" zoom="15"> 51.430789, -2.476516, Bitton </googlemap>

To Bristol or the North: Cherry Garden Lane
To Bath: A431 Bath Road

1970s

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  The station buildings as viewed from the road through the village. © Simon Whittingham
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  After coal trains for Bath Gasworks had finished, but before the removal of the track. © Simon Whittingham
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  Black 5 45379 arrives at Bitton in 1974. This loco is currently (2006) being restored at the Mid Hants Railway. © Simon Whittingham
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  Glendower arrives at the Avon Valley Railway. This loco moved to the South Devon Railway in 1978. © Simon Whittingham
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  Hydro testing the boiler of an Avonside loco. © Simon Whittingham

2003-2005

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  Approaching Bitton from the Bristol direction. The cycle path switches from the right-hand side of the trackbed to the left-hand side via this crossing.
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  The view back towards Bristol.
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  In places the yard area resembles a scrap yard, but is all the more exciting because of it! This is 4F 44123.
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  Looking along the yard.
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  A couple of dismantled cranes await restoration.
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  As does coach number AD3305. (This coach was destroyed in an arson attack during the night of 6.7.07).
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  Piles of rail.
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  The yard viewed from a passing train.
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  No 70 passes by.
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  We catch up with her in the station.
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  Bitton's version of a Pullman coach!
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  No 70 passes by once again.
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  The yard as viewed from the Bristol end of the platform. Two 07s and 7151 stand in a smokey atmosphere.
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  Various ex-WD shunters stand in the yard.
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  An ex-Army 0-8-0 Sentinel.
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  No 70 stands outside the goods shed.
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  A sign at the end of the platform.
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  A general view along the platform.
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  Some more stock sits rusting in a siding.
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  This Thomas Webs of Caerphilly water tanker (no 48331) is ex N.C.B.
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  On my second visit to Bitton the 07 had moved from the yard to the siding with the coaches.
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  A water tank is opposite the workshop/yard area.
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  The station building viewed from the car park.
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  In the yard is this rather impressive inspection coach. This was built as an escort vehicle for nuclear flask trains, but was never actually used in that role.
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  A general view of the yard and goods shed.
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  A closer look at the goods shed. It seems the Avon Valley Railway are planning on changing the name of Bitton Station to Birkenhead North...
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  Out in the yard 34058 is slowly being brought back to life.
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  An LMS engine sits in the yard.
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  And next to it sits a chimney.
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  A Cowan Shields rail-mounted crane.
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  A beast of a digger menacingly guards the rest of the yard.
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  A Paxman engine sits in the yard.
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  An ex-Army class 07 hides behind a bunker full of coal.
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  Bits and pieces in Bitton yard.
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  This siding leads out into the car park and is used for items travelling to or from Bitton via road haulage.
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  Under repair.
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  Wheels and chimney.
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  A wagon. One careful owner..
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  More cranes.
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  At the Bath end of Bitton is a crossing that takes the cycle path back across the railway. Bitton South Ground Frame box protects the crossing.
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  All aboard for a round trip to Riverside and Oldland Common. Me and my little 'un are arguing over which is best... steam or diesel? I'm losing...
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  Our loco for todays trip is 7151 driven by a friendly driver who gave me this great shot :)

2006

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  Thomas makes a storming exit from Bitton on 8.5.06.

2007

8.7.07

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  Two views of coach AD3305 which was destroyed in an arson attack during the night of 6.7.07. © Ian Tiley
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  © Ian Tiley

2008

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  A new cafe and toilet block under construction. 26.2.08
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  Viewed from the car park.
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  A month later and the cafe has started to be clad in Bath Stone. 24.3.08

Special Events

Avon Valley Railway End of Season Gala 2007
GWR 0-6-2T 5619 visits the Avon Valley Railway (February/March 2008)

External Links

www.avonvalleyrailway.org
http://simon71.fotopic.net/
www.34058.co.uk