Severn Beach Line
| Severn Beach Line | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Type | Commuter rail |
| System | National Rail |
| Status | Operational |
| Locale | Bristol, South Gloucestershire |
| Termini |
Bristol Temple Meads 51°26′57″N 2°34′49″W / 51.4492°N 2.5803°W Severn Beach 51°33′36″N 2°39′52″W / 51.5599°N 2.6645°W |
| Stations | 11 |
| Operation | |
| Opened | 1840 (Bristol Temple Meads to Bristol West Junction) 1863 (Bristol West Junction to Narroways Hill Junction, Bristol Port Railway and Pier) 1875 (Narroways Hill Junction to Clifton Down) 1877 (Clifton Down Tunnel) 1900 (Avonmouth to Pilning) |
| Owner | Network Rail |
| Operator(s) | Great Western Railway |
| Depot(s) | St Philips Marsh T&RSMD |
| Rolling stock |
Class 150 "Sprinter" Class 153 "Super Sprinter" Class 158 "Express Sprinter" |
| Technical | |
| Number of tracks | Four (Bristol Temple Meads to Dr Days Junction) Two (Dr Days Junction to Narroways Junction, Clifton Down, Avonmouth) One (elsewhere) |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) |
The Severn Beach Line is a local railway line in Bristol and South Gloucestershire, England. It runs from Bristol Temple Meads to Severn Beach, and used to extend to Pilning. The first sections of the line were opened in 1863 as part of the Bristol Port Railway and Pier, the section through Bristol was opened in 1875 as the Clifton Extension Railway. The line has faced several threats of closure over the years, and has been reduced to single track in many places. In recent years however it has experienced a surge in passenger numbers, with a 90% increase in the years 2007–11. All services along the line are operated by Great Western Railway, mainly one train in each direction between Avonmouth and Temple Meads every 40 minutes, calling at all stations, with one train every two hours extended to Severn Beach. The line carries little freight traffic, with most of the heavy freight traffic to Avonmouth Docks being routed via the Henbury Loop Line through Filton. The line has been highlighted by Thomas Cook as one of the scenic lines of Europe.
From Bristol Temple Meads, the line heads east, diverging from the Great Western Main Line, Wessex Main Line and Heart of Wessex Line at Bristol East Junction. The line curves to the north, passing under the A4320 and then joining with a chord from the Great Western Main Line at Dr Day's Junction. At this point there are four tracks, but this narrows to two before Lawrence Hill. Continuing north, the line passes under the old Midland Railway Bristol to Gloucester Line, passes through Stapleton Road, then diverges west from the Cross Country Route at Narroways Hill Junction. The line from here is single track, passing through some woodlands and circling the St Werburghs area, passing under the B4052 (Ashley Hill) before reaching Montpelier. The line then passes over the A38 Gloucester Road on a viaduct known as "The Arches", before reaching Redland and passing along a straight cutting through Cotham before reaching Clifton Down. This is the line's main passing point, as it is one of the few remaining places with double track. The line then enters the mile-long Clifton Down Tunnel, reappearing in the Avon Gorge. The line follows the river, passing through Sea Mills before heading inland to Shirehampton, past the Portway Park and Ride, under the M5 Avonmouth Bridge and through an industrial estate before reaching Avonmouth. Avonmouth has a passing loop, but is not often used as a passing place. Beyond Avonmouth, the line passes through a small residential area before reaching Avonmouth Docks. A freight yard is to the east of the line here, used for coal trains. St Andrews Road is within the yard, and to the north the Henbury Loop Line diverges to the east. The Severn Beach Line continues north along the banks of the River Severn to the terminus at Severn Beach.
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