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

Polish Day at the Avon Valley Railway 26.6.05
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