Clifton Rocks Railway, Bristol - merged topics

[whole diary]

[grahame]

Looking at going on Saturday ... but what a mess with no trains.  A comparison of the journey, setting off early on Thursday (when I have a car available), Friday, Saturday and Sunday - noting it's a "rail replacement bus" weekend ... with normal service buses far better than the rail ones ...









Leaving later on Sunday ... arrive Clifton after noon is possible in 2 hours 18 minutes by bus.

[Bmblbzzz]

I've just been to the open day. It's an interesting place and the volunteer guides are extremely knowledgeable, though my particular guide had an unfortunately less than engaging delivery. It seems from the tour that current plans are more to focus on it as a historical site than a railway.

[grahame]

I've been wanting to go for years ... and did so today. 











Fascinating ... but sad that it's so limited in the area / parts that can be seen or these days even worked on. The hotel which owned it until a few days back limited work / trips in recent years to the top station because of their insurance; there's some trepidation as to what the new owner will do - having said which, that's a comment from someone I was chatting with who's not been central to any talks. Maggie sounded more positive, but then she's a go-getter who has seen the project, determined, through thick and thin to get this far.

[Western Pathfinder]

Dr Maggie Shapland,who has done more than just about anyone else to see that the CRR survives to this day .

[grahame]

https://www.cliftonrocksrailway.org.uk

Thousands of people pass the bottom entrance to the Clifton Rocks Railway as they drive along Bristol's Portway, with most not knowing what secret is buried in the rock of the Avon Gorge.  Constructed with great difficulty inside the cliffs of the Avon Gorge in order to reduce its visual impact on the picturesque surroundings, this water powered 'funicular' railway opened on 11 March, 1893 and operated for 40 years against diminishing trade. Its closure in 1934 did not mark the end of its useful life as it became a secret transmission base for the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) during WWII^▸ (World War 2 - 1939 to 1945).  It has been empty and disused since the BBC moved out after the war.

[Chris from Nailsea]

From https://www.cliftonrocksrailway.org.uk/

The Clifton Rocks Railway Trust has been formed by a group of volunteers to restore the Railway.  Supported by the Avon Gorge Hotel, Bristol City Council and sponsored by a number of local companies, the Trust is working hard to restore elements of the railway.