Severn Beach

To Avonmouth: Severn Beach Signal Box
To Pilning: Ableton Lane Crossing

History

The Avonmouth to Pilning line opened to freight on 5th February 1900. The first Severn Beach station opened on this line on 5th June 1922 as an excursion platform, and fully opened with the commencement of passenger services on the line on 26th May 1924. Through services between Avonmouth and Pilning commenced on 9th July 1928. It closed to goods on 10th September 1963. The Severn Beach to Pilning line closed to passengers in November 1964 and completely in July 1968.

Track Plans

• 
  A track plan of Severn Beach and surrounding area from 1988.

1950s

• 
  A view of the end of the station showing Ableton Lane Crossing protected by signals. © Lens of Sutton
• 
  Small Prairie 5514 at Severn beach with a train for Temple Meads. © Don W
• 
  The same train viewed from the end of the platform. Empty coaching stock is stored on the carriage siding. © Don W
• 
  Another Small Prairie 5529 waits at the station. © Don W

1970s

• 
  Ableton Lane Crossing as viewed from a train standing at Severn Beach station. © Andy Kirkham
• 
  The station building in 1972. © Simon Whittingham
• 
  This photo shows a bubble car that has crashed through the buffers c.1977. It also gives a glimpse of the old station building. © Mike P
• 
  A view of the original station building. © Mike P
• 
  The station building as viewed from the platform. © Mike P
• 
  The sidings next to the station during the 70s. The fire service are attending a small bush fire. © Mike P
• 
  A photo from Andy Gibb showing vans in the siding and a unit stabled ready for the next service.

1980s

• 
  B133 arrives at the station. The posts of the old station sign stand behind the newly installed one. © Martin Potter

2004

1.4.07

• 
  Approaching Severn Beach from the road.
• 
  The end of the line.
• 
  This wasn't always the end of the line. The railway used to continue through the set of gates visible behind the buffer stop. This particular track isn't connected to the branch any more.
• 
  So this is actually the end of the line :)
• 
  Looking along the platform taking in the platform shelter and station paraphernalia.
• 
  The view west with Avonmouth in the background.
• 
  The view from the end of the platform.
• 
  Looking along the line. It looks like a very bumpy ride.
• 
  Looking back along the platform.
• 
  The area alongside the station used to contain a carriage siding which held summer specials when the people in the Midlands visited Severn Beach in their droves. Later it was used as a head shunt and for storage of wagons using the near bye ICI works.
• 
  A brook passes under the station.
• 
  This row of houses occupy the site of the old Severn Beach station building.

2006

28.6.06

• 
  143603 picks up three passengers before returning to Temple Meads © Dave Higson
• 
  The 9.50 to Temple Meads gets under way. © Dave Higson

2008

Some photos of the station taken on 11.11.08 showing clearance work on the land adjacent to the station in preparation for regeneration of the area.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
  By the 19th the track had been ripped up. © Matt Buck. CC licence

2018

3.5.18

• 
  Big changes since my last visit. The station now only has one platform face, the land behind now being fenced off.
• 
  New platform shelter.
• 
  Seating.
• 
  Looking neat and tidy and looked after.