The tunnel at Grovesend is a single bore, the three arches you see at the southern end were I believe built in the 60s as part of a scheme to widen the A38. The rail level just before the tunnel has most likely been raised due to flooding, the tunnel was always very wet. The station at Tytherington was a wooden building and I remember it being pulled down with a tractor about 1970, the bridges were Iron and they were removed about 1972 the track was lifted in 1969. There was a branch line that ran to the old quarries behind the church the track used to be visible in the pavement where it crossed the road.
Thank you so much for the really interesting local knowledge insight. I had no idea about the sub-branch of this branch that ran behind the church - that's fascinating! Thanks again. I will pin your comment to the top so others can read it. Take care, Paul.
The “platform” in the car park of Yate station was indeed almost certainly a goods facility. The adjacent site to the east was an aerospace company called Parnall between the 20’s and the 50’s. They made the gun turrets for Lancaster bombers, for example. The site was bombed in the Second World War.
Thank you for the excellent video Paul. I found the section on the Grovesend tunnel of particular interest, as I can recall exploring some of the disused tunnel back in the 1970s. From 1976 to 1990 I lived on the outskirts of Thornbury right next to the old railway embankment, not far from the north portal of the tunnel. The embankment and adjacent fields were a fine playground for me and my pals. The tunnel was still open at both ends and I remember walking some way into it with my dad, with him pointing out a refuge in the wall and explaining its purpose to me. I was 7 years old and found the tunnel pretty spooky. It didn’t take much for my childhood imagination to believe it was haunted. In the late ‘70s the approach to the portal became heavily flooded and was no longer accessible on foot. I once saw some adventure-seeking older lads taking an inflatable dinghy up the embankment in an attempt to navigate the tunnel. I don’t know if they were successful. At some stage in the ‘80s I recall finding the track bed route approaching the portal fenced off by a private owner, then later Midland Way developments built over a large section of the old embankment and some of the fields on the other side, finally eradicating my childhood playground. This summer I visited Thornbury for the first time in over 20 years. I found that some of the old track bed/embankment route still exists in the form of a tarmac footpath, along which I was pleased to discover that the original underline brick and stone tunnel at Eskdale has survived intact. It now links Eskdale with the new housing on the other side of the old embankment.
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it. That's really interesting to know about the Eskdale Tunnel - I wasn't aware of that - I will have to go and have a look next time I am near Thornbury. Thanks too for your recollections. I didn't show it in the video, but one of the local land owners did start shouting at me when they saw my camera, but I was not off the footpath. Wonder what their reaction will be if the branch ever reopens? I think the tunnel is still in good order. Glad the rest of the branch is still being (heavily) used again. Cheers, Paul
@@westcountrywanderings Yes, I’m also glad that the line from Tytherington is being well used again. I imagine any reopening plans for the line back into Thornbury would be highly contentious, seeing as the only viable route available now would be through the remaining farmland south of Midland Way. The Eskdale tunnel is well worth a look if you get the chance. I didn’t know it was still there until I had a profound sense of deja-vu as I saw the old stone parapets. There's some useful information about the railway at the MyThornbury website in their history section. It includes a guided walk to find the old clues and relics of the line. Cheers, Jos.
@@westcountrywanderings Yes I imagine any plans to reopen the passenger line to Thornbury would be controversial. Still, I’m pleased to hear that the freight line from Tytherington is being well used again. The Eskdale tunnel is well worth a look if you ever get back to Thornbury. I noticed the old stone parapets as I walked along the footpath - it was like a sudden deja-vu moment. Considering how much has been lost, it’s probably the most complete relic from the old line. It’s a great reminder of the past. Cheers, Jos
@@westcountrywanderings Your video inspired me to do some further research on the line. I found a photo from April 1964 taken from the engine as it approached the southern end of Grovesend tunnel. The arches added at the portal are clearly visible. Also visible is the complete aqueduct crossing the line (of which you found the remains). Thornbury station had a water supply fed from a spring by Grovesend Quarry - I wonder if the aqueduct was part of that system. Cheers, Jos
@lawtoni thank you! That's really interesting. There is another aqueduct that crosses the mainline near Wickwar Tunnel north of Yate Station. Good bit of research there. Cheers, Paul
An interesting relic of recent railway history at 18:15. "Mainline" was one of the freight operating companies established by the government for the privatisation of British Rail. Five of the six companies were acquired by Wisconsin Central and formed into what was then branded EWS (English, Welsh & Scottish railway). I have seen numerous relics of the Railfreight (BR) era, but this is the first I recall of the privatisation railfreight era?
Thank you! I see that Mainline were an extremely short-lived (18 months!) Company based in, er, Islington, London, a not freight rail connected place. Very odd! Thanks for the additional information and for watching. Cheers, Paul.
@@westcountrywanderings Hello again Paul! Been delving back through the Filing History of Mainline Freight with Companies House. On 7th September 1994 a Certificate of Incorporation on Change of Name was issued stating "Trainload Freight South East Limited" having by special resolution changed its name to "Mainline Freight Limited". Presented by: P. G. Hewett, British Railways Board, Euston House, 24 Eversholt Street, London, NW1 1DZ
Hi Paul, there are now regular daytime trains operating on the Tytherington branch in both directions hauled by Class 60’s usually, HS2 is a hungry beast, loaded they usually gross 2,400 tons, unloaded 600 tons. Yate station was quite extensive in its heyday and was located adjacent to the cattle market. Contemporary pictures show its extent. It’s recently gained a direct return stopping service to Penzance operated by Castle Class 43’s tho these are being withdrawn this year mores the pity! Also commuter services into Bristol and Gloucester are set to be doubled this year so this is one station that is thriving. Cheers! TonyS Yate resident and rail enthusiast.
Thank you Tony! Yes, Charfield is set to open too - good news about the 30 minute frequency - I hope that is extended to Cam & Dursley and Gloucester too. I see that the Henbury loop stations and Portishead line are going ahead too. I hope to cover the opening of Portway Station in Bristol (and further south Marsh Barton in Exeter) when they both open soon. I wonder if the residents of Iron Acton like the frequency of freight trains increasing as they make a heck of a din as well as all those level crossings having to close their barriers more frequently?! Thank you for a great comment - take care, Paul 👍
Hello Paul - greetings from Poland That was fascinating. Starting at Yate (twinned with Legoland) - don't like Yate!, the Branch Line still works. I didn't know that either. Very interesting historical information about the line too. The journey to Tytherington was superb. I liked the passenger underpass next to the River Frome. Your photos of the church and village were lovely. What blew me away was the double-bore Grovesend Tunnel. It's disused so why line it with what looks like quite new concrete? Future use by the quarry? A fabulous video. Super camera work and excellent commentary. I loved the still photographs at the end of the vlog.
Hi Michael - me too, not a fan of Yate, a world away from its Cotswold neighbour, Chipping Sodbury. Glad you enjoyed the trip to Tytherington though. Can't believe just how popular this little railway series video has been. Glad you enjoyed it! Take care, Paul.
Hi Paul, What an interesting video you have done and as Ron from Parkinsons Walks has commented Up to your usual high standard to which I agree. Take care, Andrew.
Thank you Mark! I do try to improve with each one as much as I can, but, I guess, you can only show what you see on the day(s) of the visit to the place or walk of interest, so there is a luck element too! Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🙂 Paul
Hi Paul, up to your usual high standard, you obviously do a lot of work prior to filming, fascinating. I spoke to a local when I was at Tytherinton, who showed me where the Station was. You can just make out the entrance but it has been absorbed into someones garden. Take care. Ron
Hi Ron, thank you for watching and commenting 👍😊. Yes, that is what was indicated from the 1890 OS map, but, like you say, very little to see on the ground. I have learnt since making this video that Grovesend Tunnel is single bore - the apparent second bore was extended and relined with concrete and the portal refaced when the A38 was widened in the 1990s in order to support the road above it. The main tunnel is blocked with a brickwall about 100m in. Thanks again, take care, Paul 🙂👍
@@westcountrywanderings the A38 wasn't widened at Grovesend in the 1990s - more likely it was done in the 1970s or even earlier when Grovesend Road into Thornbury was straightened and widened when new housing developments were built, encouraging most traffic to use that road instead of Thornbury Hill. Considering the A38 was the main route to the south west, I could imagine the dip and road junctions at Grovesend was a congestion point. Still is at some times of the day. I've been in Thornbury since 1980, and the only significant road changes at Grovesend since then have been the addition of traffic lights at the junctions.
Thanks Paul. Interesting that you should mention the distance measurement at the Pagford bridge (11. 20 minutes). Do you know why the distances are still measured in miles and chains? I have some chains which were used to measure land. I rescued them from a scrap yard.
Thanks John. I am a strictly metric man, because that's what I was taught in school in the 1960s. However, both railways and canals tend to stick with imperial measurements - tradition I suppose. Thanks for watching and commenting.🙂👍 Paul
The tunnel at Grovesend is a single bore, the three arches you see at the southern end were I believe built in the 60s as part of a scheme to widen the A38. The rail level just before the tunnel has most likely been raised due to flooding, the tunnel was always very wet. The station at Tytherington was a wooden building and I remember it being pulled down with a tractor about 1970, the bridges were Iron and they were removed about 1972 the track was lifted in 1969. There was a branch line that ran to the old quarries behind the church the track used to be visible in the pavement where it crossed the road.
Thank you so much for the really interesting local knowledge insight. I had no idea about the sub-branch of this branch that ran behind the church - that's fascinating! Thanks again. I will pin your comment to the top so others can read it. Take care, Paul.
The “platform” in the car park of Yate station was indeed almost certainly a goods facility. The adjacent site to the east was an aerospace company called Parnall between the 20’s and the 50’s. They made the gun turrets for Lancaster bombers, for example. The site was bombed in the Second World War.
Thank you 👍 that's really good additional information. I was not aware of Parnall's factory. Thanks for watching and commenting. Cheers, Paul.
Thank you for the excellent video Paul. I found the section on the Grovesend tunnel of particular interest, as I can recall exploring some of the disused tunnel back in the 1970s.
From 1976 to 1990 I lived on the outskirts of Thornbury right next to the old railway embankment, not far from the north portal of the tunnel. The embankment and adjacent fields were a fine playground for me and my pals. The tunnel was still open at both ends and I remember walking some way into it with my dad, with him pointing out a refuge in the wall and explaining its purpose to me. I was 7 years old and found the tunnel pretty spooky. It didn’t take much for my childhood imagination to believe it was haunted.
In the late ‘70s the approach to the portal became heavily flooded and was no longer accessible on foot. I once saw some adventure-seeking older lads taking an inflatable dinghy up the embankment in an attempt to navigate the tunnel. I don’t know if they were successful.
At some stage in the ‘80s I recall finding the track bed route approaching the portal fenced off by a private owner, then later Midland Way developments built over a large section of the old embankment and some of the fields on the other side, finally eradicating my childhood playground.
This summer I visited Thornbury for the first time in over 20 years. I found that some of the old track bed/embankment route still exists in the form of a tarmac footpath, along which I was pleased to discover that the original underline brick and stone tunnel at Eskdale has survived intact. It now links Eskdale with the new housing on the other side of the old embankment.
Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it.
That's really interesting to know about the Eskdale Tunnel - I wasn't aware of that - I will have to go and have a look next time I am near Thornbury.
Thanks too for your recollections. I didn't show it in the video, but one of the local land owners did start shouting at me when they saw my camera, but I was not off the footpath. Wonder what their reaction will be if the branch ever reopens? I think the tunnel is still in good order. Glad the rest of the branch is still being (heavily) used again.
Cheers,
Paul
@@westcountrywanderings Yes, I’m also glad that the line from Tytherington is being well used again. I imagine any reopening plans for the line back into Thornbury would be highly contentious, seeing as the only viable route available now would be through the remaining farmland south of Midland Way.
The Eskdale tunnel is well worth a look if you get the chance. I didn’t know it was still there until I had a profound sense of deja-vu as I saw the old stone parapets. There's some useful information about the railway at the MyThornbury website in their history section. It includes a guided walk to find the old clues and relics of the line.
Cheers, Jos.
@@westcountrywanderings Yes I imagine any plans to reopen the passenger line to Thornbury would be controversial. Still, I’m pleased to hear that the freight line from Tytherington is being well used again.
The Eskdale tunnel is well worth a look if you ever get back to Thornbury. I noticed the old stone parapets as I walked along the footpath - it was like a sudden deja-vu moment. Considering how much has been lost, it’s probably the most complete relic from the old line. It’s a great reminder of the past.
Cheers, Jos
@@westcountrywanderings Your video inspired me to do some further research on the line. I found a photo from April 1964 taken from the engine as it approached the southern end of Grovesend tunnel. The arches added at the portal are clearly visible. Also visible is the complete aqueduct crossing the line (of which you found the remains). Thornbury station had a water supply fed from a spring by Grovesend Quarry - I wonder if the aqueduct was part of that system.
Cheers, Jos
@lawtoni thank you! That's really interesting. There is another aqueduct that crosses the mainline near Wickwar Tunnel north of Yate Station. Good bit of research there. Cheers, Paul
An interesting relic of recent railway history at 18:15. "Mainline" was one of the freight operating companies established by the government for the privatisation of British Rail. Five of the six companies were acquired by Wisconsin Central and formed into what was then branded EWS (English, Welsh & Scottish railway). I have seen numerous relics of the Railfreight (BR) era, but this is the first I recall of the privatisation railfreight era?
Thank you! I see that Mainline were an extremely short-lived (18 months!) Company based in, er, Islington, London, a not freight rail connected place. Very odd! Thanks for the additional information and for watching. Cheers, Paul.
@@westcountrywanderings Hello again Paul! Been delving back through the Filing History of Mainline Freight with Companies House. On 7th September 1994 a Certificate of Incorporation on Change of Name was issued stating "Trainload Freight South East Limited" having by special resolution changed its name to "Mainline Freight Limited". Presented by: P. G. Hewett, British Railways Board, Euston House, 24 Eversholt Street, London, NW1 1DZ
Great information as always.
Thank you! For some reason, not sure why, this video proved extremely popular. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🙂 Cheers Paul
Hi Paul, there are now regular daytime trains operating on the Tytherington branch in both directions hauled by Class 60’s usually, HS2 is a hungry beast, loaded they usually gross 2,400 tons, unloaded 600 tons. Yate station was quite extensive in its heyday and was located adjacent to the cattle market. Contemporary pictures show its extent. It’s recently gained a direct return stopping service to Penzance operated by Castle Class 43’s tho these are being withdrawn this year mores the pity! Also commuter services into Bristol and Gloucester are set to be doubled this year so this is one station that is thriving. Cheers! TonyS Yate resident and rail enthusiast.
Thank you Tony! Yes, Charfield is set to open too - good news about the 30 minute frequency - I hope that is extended to Cam & Dursley and Gloucester too. I see that the Henbury loop stations and Portishead line are going ahead too. I hope to cover the opening of Portway Station in Bristol (and further south Marsh Barton in Exeter) when they both open soon. I wonder if the residents of Iron Acton like the frequency of freight trains increasing as they make a heck of a din as well as all those level crossings having to close their barriers more frequently?! Thank you for a great comment - take care, Paul 👍
Hello Paul - greetings from Poland
That was fascinating. Starting at Yate (twinned with Legoland) - don't like Yate!, the Branch Line still works. I didn't know that either. Very interesting historical information about the line too.
The journey to Tytherington was superb. I liked the passenger underpass next to the River Frome. Your photos of the church and village were lovely.
What blew me away was the double-bore Grovesend Tunnel. It's disused so why line it with what looks like quite new concrete? Future use by the quarry?
A fabulous video. Super camera work and excellent commentary. I loved the still photographs at the end of the vlog.
Hi Michael - me too, not a fan of Yate, a world away from its Cotswold neighbour, Chipping Sodbury. Glad you enjoyed the trip to Tytherington though. Can't believe just how popular this little railway series video has been. Glad you enjoyed it! Take care, Paul.
Hi Paul, What an interesting video you have done and as Ron from Parkinsons Walks has commented Up to your usual high standard to which I agree. Take care, Andrew.
Thank you Andrew! I am off to do another railway series one tomorrow. Glad you liked it. Take care, Paul
Thank you for another informative video! I have shared it with a friend who is huge into rail and trains! Blessings!
Thank you Don for watching and commenting on my video. Thanks for sharing it too! Much appreciated 🙂👍 Cheers Paul
Another excellent video, thank you Paul! they get better each time
Thank you Mark! I do try to improve with each one as much as I can, but, I guess, you can only show what you see on the day(s) of the visit to the place or walk of interest, so there is a luck element too! Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🙂 Paul
Hi Paul, up to your usual high standard, you obviously do a lot of work prior to filming, fascinating. I spoke to a local when I was at Tytherinton, who showed me where the Station was. You can just make out the entrance but it has been absorbed into someones garden. Take care. Ron
Hi Ron, thank you for watching and commenting 👍😊. Yes, that is what was indicated from the 1890 OS map, but, like you say, very little to see on the ground. I have learnt since making this video that Grovesend Tunnel is single bore - the apparent second bore was extended and relined with concrete and the portal refaced when the A38 was widened in the 1990s in order to support the road above it. The main tunnel is blocked with a brickwall about 100m in. Thanks again, take care, Paul 🙂👍
@@westcountrywanderings Brilliant Paul, thanks for the update. Ron
@@westcountrywanderings the A38 wasn't widened at Grovesend in the 1990s - more likely it was done in the 1970s or even earlier when Grovesend Road into Thornbury was straightened and widened when new housing developments were built, encouraging most traffic to use that road instead of Thornbury Hill. Considering the A38 was the main route to the south west, I could imagine the dip and road junctions at Grovesend was a congestion point. Still is at some times of the day. I've been in Thornbury since 1980, and the only significant road changes at Grovesend since then have been the addition of traffic lights at the junctions.
Lovely video, Paul
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it. 🙂👍 Cheers, Paul
Hi Paul another nice informative video👌👌
Thanks Roy. Glad you enjoyed it. Take care, Paul 🙂
You can see the line and station over 50 years ago at (
thornbury 1966 )
Thank you! I have just watched it and commented on it. A great piece of film. Paul.
Thanks Paul. Interesting that you should mention the distance measurement at the Pagford bridge (11. 20 minutes). Do you know why the distances are still measured in miles and chains? I have some chains which were used to measure land. I rescued them from a scrap yard.
Thanks John. I am a strictly metric man, because that's what I was taught in school in the 1960s. However, both railways and canals tend to stick with imperial measurements - tradition I suppose. Thanks for watching and commenting.🙂👍 Paul