South Liberty Colliery

<googlemap lat="51.421316" lon="-2.626076"> 51.4282, -2.626483, South Liberty Lane Footbridge </googlemap>

To Bristol: West Junction
To the Southwest: Brook Gate

Track Plans

• 
  A map from the early 1900s showing the colliery.
• 
  A track plan of the area from 1988 showing South Liberty Junction and a connection with West Depot .

1960s

• 
  Two views of the bridge in the 1960s. There's a signal in front of the bridge in a cage. © Emmdee
• 
  © Emmdee
• 
  A superb view of a Western hauling a freight out of West Depot. © Andy Kirkham

1989

• 47817 accelerates hard under the footbridge as it heads for Plymouth. The track on the left is the container depot headshunt, while the track on the right is a headshunt for West Depot Down Carriage Yard.
  47817 accelerates hard under the footbridge as it heads for Plymouth. The track on the left is the container depot headshunt, while the track on the right is a headshunt for West Depot Down Carriage Yard.
• An HST powers towards Temple Meads. In the far distance a Class 47 can just be seen standing light-engine in the run round loop at the container depot.
  An HST powers towards Temple Meads. In the far distance a Class 47 can just be seen standing light-engine in the run round loop at the container depot.
• Looking in the opposite direction and 47524 runs light engine towards Bristol.
  Looking in the opposite direction and 47524 runs light engine towards Bristol.

2003

18.11.03

• A view of the footbridge taken from the Bedminster Down side of the track.
  A view of the footbridge taken from the Bedminster Down side of the track.
• A side view of the bridge showing the lovely cast iron pillars holding it up. The bridge was originally a crossing place for miners who lived in Bedminster Down and worked at South Liberty Colliery.
  A side view of the bridge showing the lovely cast iron pillars holding it up. The bridge was originally a crossing place for miners who lived in Bedminster Down and worked at South Liberty Colliery.
• A similar view to the first two shots in 1989. Although invisible in this shot, the headshunt for the old container depot is still there, albeit buried under all that undergrowth.
  A similar view to the first two shots in 1989. Although invisible in this shot, the headshunt for the old container depot is still there, albeit buried under all that undergrowth.
• Another view of the line and an HST heads into Bristol. In the far distance Bedminster Down Road bridge can be seen. The tall lighting towers are where the container depot used to be.
  Another view of the line and an HST heads into Bristol. In the far distance Bedminster Down Road bridge can be seen. The tall lighting towers are where the container depot used to be.
• The same view as the third shot in 1989. 150234 slows on the approach to Parson Street. The remains of the container depot headshunt is clearly visible in this shot.
  The same view as the third shot in 1989. 150234 slows on the approach to Parson Street. The remains of the container depot headshunt is clearly visible in this shot.
• The approach to the footbridge from South Liberty Lane.
  The approach to the footbridge from South Liberty Lane.

2006

18th July

• The view towards Bristol. Not much changed since my earlier visit.
  The view towards Bristol. Not much changed since my earlier visit.
• The view west. Again, not much has changed.
  The view west. Again, not much has changed.
• A zoomed view showing an old buffer stop buried in the vegetation.
  A zoomed view showing an old buffer stop buried in the vegetation.
• 
  Work was taking place to make the embankment smaller so that a large industrial unit could be constructed.
• 
• As a result of the construction work the approach to the bridge has become much more user friendly.
  As a result of the construction work the approach to the bridge has become much more user friendly.