Avon Valley Railway

Avon Valley Railway

(Picture above: © Copyright Roger Cornfoot and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.)

The Avon Valley Railway is a standard Gauge Heritage Railway, running from Avon riverside to Oldland Common via Bitton.

Route

The route totals a 6 mile round trip.

Bitton

Bitton station is the Main station. Is is located unusually at the centre of the Railway. This is the Lines Headquarters, and houses a Gift shop, Buffet, Picnic Area, Engine Sheds & Workshops, and an array of sidings full of stock in various stages of Restoration!

OldLand Common

Is the Railways Northern Terminus. There is a platform and Run-Round loop here.

Most of the Journey from Bitton to OldLand is in cutting, running under numerous Bridges.

Avon Riverside

This is the Railways Southern Terminus. Before Entering Avon Riverside you cross the Largest structure on the line, the Bridge over the River Avon!

Again, there is a Platform & Loop here. You can leave this Station, and cross the foot-crossing, follow a path down the bank to the Jetty and take a cruise on the River Avon.

Other

Of Course the Famous Bristol to Bath Railway Path runs alongside the whole line, and is great for enthusiasts to get line-side pics and videos.

Trains

The Railway has an array of Locomotives and Rolling Stock. From Mainline to Small Industrial Steam and Diesel locomotives.

The Railway operates Diesel and Steam services depending on day or event.

Events

The AVR holds several events a year, particularly famous for it’s Vintage Bus Rally. As well as this, there is a 1940s weekend, Gala etc.

Website: http://www.avonvalleyrailway.org/index.shtml

Operating Days: Most Weekends and selected weekdays.

Line Length: 3 miles

Operational Locomotives:

• SR “West Country” 4-6-2 No.34058 Sir Federick Pile (Under Restoration)
• LMS 4F 0-6-0 No.44123 (Under Restoration)
• Robert Stevenson & Hawthorn 0-6-0T No.7151
• Manning Wardle 0-6-0ST Littleton (Awaiting Restoration)
• Avonside 0-6-0ST Edwin Hustle (Under Restoration)
• Chrzanow (Polish) 0-6-0T No.4015 Karel
• Sentinel 0-8-0DH No.610 General Lord Robertson (Under Restoration)
• Barclay 0-4-0DM Kingswood