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JayMac
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« on: February 28, 2010, 00:30:41 » |
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This fascinating disused, and sadly moth-balled, funicular railway (the first underground funicular in the world) is hosting a couple of Open Days in 2010. Sunday 25th April Sunday 16th May 10am to 4pm both days. Please note that for insurance reason children under 14 are not permitted. Further information on the Clifton Rocks Railway can be found here. |
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« Last Edit: February 15, 2012, 02:20:28 by bignosemac »
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Dalmeny Caterham Shiplake Tonbridge Theale Carlisle Petts Wood
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #1 on: February 28, 2010, 00:45:39 » |
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Thanks for posting that, bignosemac!  I shall certainly be attending one of those rare opportunities to view the railway, and its restoration! |
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William Huskisson MP▸ was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830. Many more have died in the same way since then. Don't take a chance: Stop, Look, Listen.
"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner." Discuss.
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JayMac
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« Reply #2 on: February 28, 2010, 01:07:00 » |
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It is very unlikely that the CRR will ever be restored to full operation, the lower station opens almost directly onto the A4 Portway, with just a very narrow footpath between it and the road, and there is simply no room left to allow for safe pedestrian access, short of skewing the road out over the river!
The tunnel itself was heavily modified during World War II▸ , being converted for use as an emergency broadcasting station by the BBC» . Concrete stairways were built over the tracks and the tunnel was comparmentalized into seperate rooms used for studios, relay rooms, and air-raid shelters. Despite the heavy bombing that Bristol suffered during the war the BBC were able to continue broadcasting from sites above ground and so the facilities installed inside the CRR were never utilised.
Despite all this several original features remain, and these are what the restoration project is currently focusing on.
I suppose with enough will (and a lot of money!!) the funicular could be restored, but the problem of access to the lower (Hotwells) station seems insurmountable.
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« Last Edit: February 28, 2010, 01:13:02 by bignosemac »
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Dalmeny Caterham Shiplake Tonbridge Theale Carlisle Petts Wood
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John R
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« Reply #3 on: February 28, 2010, 11:10:10 » |
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Having seen it, I can confirm that a huge amount of money would be required. And it's not really in a good place to be a tourist attraction, with poor access and parking at either end.
Well worth a visit though. We had to queue for over half an hour on Open Doors weekend a couple of years ago, such was its popularity.
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #4 on: May 16, 2010, 10:11:10 » |
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I'm off to visit this now. Chris.  |
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William Huskisson MP▸ was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830. Many more have died in the same way since then. Don't take a chance: Stop, Look, Listen.
"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner." Discuss.
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #5 on: May 16, 2010, 13:40:06 » |
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William Huskisson MP▸ was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830. Many more have died in the same way since then. Don't take a chance: Stop, Look, Listen.
"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner." Discuss.
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JayMac
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« Reply #6 on: February 15, 2012, 02:09:58 » |
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Further open days of this fascinating piece of railway history are upcoming this year. There are open days on Sundays, 15th April and 13th May 2012. Further information: http://www.cliftonrocksrailway.org.uk/news_06.htm |
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Dalmeny Caterham Shiplake Tonbridge Theale Carlisle Petts Wood
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JayMac
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« Reply #7 on: October 24, 2012, 22:32:54 » |
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Where Was I Today? Two pictures, nothing too taxing in all likelihood. For the first one the name of the line and my location for the shot. The second, the name of the railway. Facebook followers will probably know from status updates, so let others have a go.  [Image from here is not available to guests][Image from here is not available to guests]
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Dalmeny Caterham Shiplake Tonbridge Theale Carlisle Petts Wood
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #8 on: October 24, 2012, 22:39:54 » |
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William Huskisson MP▸ was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830. Many more have died in the same way since then. Don't take a chance: Stop, Look, Listen.
"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner." Discuss.
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trainer
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« Reply #9 on: October 24, 2012, 22:46:59 » |
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Could we be in the Avon Gorge in Bristol looking across at the Portbury line from the old Hotwells funicular station?
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JayMac
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« Reply #10 on: October 24, 2012, 22:51:52 » |
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Could we be in the Avon Gorge in Bristol looking across at the Portbury line
I'll give you that for the first picture. I was indeed looking across the gorge to the Portbury line, from the area near the observatory (Camera Obscura) by the Clifton Suspension Bridge. Second picture, a more precise answer please. |
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Dalmeny Caterham Shiplake Tonbridge Theale Carlisle Petts Wood
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trainer
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« Reply #11 on: October 24, 2012, 22:56:12 » |
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My final guess: the top station of the Hotwells railway.
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JayMac
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« Reply #12 on: October 24, 2012, 23:07:55 » |
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Okay trainer, I'll give you that! The top station (pedantically) of the Clifton Rocks Railway.   The bin in the picture is the CRR's low tech way of gathering donations (not sure how you add 'Gift Aid' to these donations...). Throw your coins in the bin and try to ring the 'bell'. I spent about 60p in loose change trying to ring the bell and failed miserably. I think I managed to get one 2p coin to roll down the small drain next to the railway car mock-up. That's actually more impressive than hitting the 'bell'!!! My girlfriend hit the 'bell' first time.  Here's bignosemac enjoying the view: [Image from here is not available to guests] |
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Dalmeny Caterham Shiplake Tonbridge Theale Carlisle Petts Wood
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #13 on: October 24, 2012, 23:14:00 » |
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The Clifton Rocks Railway is well worth a visit, if you happen to be nearby on one of their occasional 'open days' - see http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=6335.0 |
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William Huskisson MP▸ was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830. Many more have died in the same way since then. Don't take a chance: Stop, Look, Listen.
"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner." Discuss.
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trainer
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« Reply #14 on: October 24, 2012, 23:15:09 » |
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You're very generous. I should have known that. I'll donate my prize to charity since I haven't really earned it. It was a rotten day for visiting and photography so hope you enjoyed it. |
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