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©Roger Cornfoot
Dist:0.1km<br/>Three locomotives - 66070, 097 and 139 - run light engine eastbound through Pilning.
©Gareth James
Dist:0.2km<br/>View westward, towards the Severn Tunnel and Junction: ex-GW London/Swindon/Bristol - South Wales main line. '5101' 2-6-2T No. 4165 (built 10/48) is assisting '2883' 2-8-0 No. 3851 (built 6/42) with a heavy coal train up the 3½ miles of 1-in-100 out of the tunnel and has a further similar climb as far as Patchway.
©Ben Brooksbank
Dist:0.2km<br/>View eastward, towards Filton Junction, Swindon/London and Bristol; ex-GWR London and Bristol - South Wales main lines. (The line outside the platform to the left connected through Pilning (Low Level) (closed 11/64) and Severn Beach with Bristol via Avonmouth). The express is headed by 'Castle' 4-6-0 No. 5061 'Earl of Birkenhead' (built 6/37 as 'Sudeley Castle', renamed 10/37, fitted recently with double-chimney and withdrawn 9/62).
©Ben Brooksbank
Dist:0.2km<br/>View westward, towards the Severn Tunnel and South Wales; ex-GWR London/Bristol - South Wales main line. The train is surmounting the three miles of 1-in-100 out of the Tunnel, the downgrade being clearly apparent in this view. The locomotive is 'Castle' 4-6-0 No. 5056 'Earl of Powis' (built 6/36 as 'Ogmore Castle', renamed 9/37, recently fitted with double-chimney, withdrawn 11/64). [It was making a stirring sound, which I recorded].
©Ben Brooksbank
Dist:0.2km<br/>View westward, down towards the Tunnel and South Wales: ex-GWR Main Line. The 10.20 Pembroke Dock/11.05 Milford Haven, non-stop from Newport, is due at Paddington at 17.50. Collett-design 'Castle' 4-6-0 No. 7001 'Sir James Milne' (the last Chairman of the GWR) was built 5/46 as - a third - 'Denbigh Castle', renamed 2/48 and withdrawn 9/63: it has just surmounted - clearly visible 3½ miles of 1-in-100 from the middle of the Tunnel and after a short pause has another 3 miles ahead of the same [- and I recorded the magnificent noise!]
©Ben Brooksbank
Dist:0.2km<br/>One of the 2-6-2Ts dedicated to assisting freight trains through the Tunnel, Collett '5100' No. 4121 (built 12/37, withdrawn 6/65, but was preserved and is currently undergoing restoration at Tyseley Locomotive Works), is piloting Collett 4-6-0 No. 4998 'Eyton Hall' (built 3/31, withdrawn 10/63) - a fine sight and sound. Note the sign 'Pilning Junction for Severn Beach and Avonmouth': the service via Severn Beach was still in operation (until 11/64).
©Ben Brooksbank
Dist:0.2km<br/>
©Robin Stott
Dist:0.2km<br/>View westward, towards the Tunnel. Evidently there were no customers on this trip, but it was expensive and many people used the very lengthy alternative - driving all the way round via Gloucester. This service naturally ended when the First Severn Bridge was opened in 1966. Here in 1961 No. 6125, one of the '6100' class 2-6-2Ts recently displaced from Paddington suburban services, is the motive power.
©Ben Brooksbank
Dist:0.2km<br/>The Plough public house has an extensive garden, apparently in a former orchard. One aerial photo shows football pitch markings on this site and extensions to car parking. The view is over the hedge from Pilning Street.
©Robin Stott
Dist:0.2km<br/>A freight train proceeds slowly past Pilning station. Three road bridges can be detected beyond the signal gantry, the B4055 in ST5584 and the A403 in ST5585. Rising in the distance is the Second Severn Crossing, carrying the M4 into South Wales. A highly foreshortened view from the station footbridge.
©Robin Stott
Dist:0.2km<br/>Ex-Great Western locomotive 6024 King Edward I passes through Pilning on its way from Didcot to Margam, in preparation for working an excursion train the following day.
©Gareth James
Dist:0.2km<br/>The train stopped, and the view through the window was dominated by this pylon, seen against a blue sky and with the green of the cutting in the foreground. Shame about the slight reflections in the window, and the odd looks one gets from other passengers when taking a picture of something like this ...
©David Smith
Dist:0.2km<br/>Only one train stops for passengers here each day: the 9.28 to Bristol Temple Meads
©William Avery
Dist:0.3km<br/>
©Anthony O'Neil

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