DMU Operations: Western Region
Bristol-Severn Beach
When the DMUs were introduced Severn Beach was a through station with some services running through to Pilning Low Level.
The through services ceased in November 1964[1].
The line has long been associated with single car units, but many other types allocated to Bristol could also be found working the services.
In the early timetables few services were noted as second class only so these would not have been "bubble cars".
Sample Timetables
I haven't come across any individual timetables for the line from the early years, just a combined volume of Bristol area services.
15th June to 11th September, 1959
2nd November, 1959 to 12th June, 1960
Download PDF (12 mb)
12th September, 1960 to 11th June, 1961
Download PDF (11 mb)
12th June to 10 September, 1961
Download PDF (13 mb)
10th September, 1962 to 16th June, 1963
If you have any further publicity material from the line that could be added here please get in touch.
Images
Unknown date
A Derby suburban triple DMU (from the third batch 511xx series) departs from Bristol Temple Meads with a Severn Beach service, date unknown. Stuart Mackay Collection.
28th September 1959
The 11.35am Severn Beach to Bristol Temple Meads service on 28th September 1959 is seen arriving at Cross Hands Halt worked by a GRC&W Cross-Country DMU, DMBC W51066 leading. Michael Mensing.
28th September 1959
A Gloucester RC&W Cross-Country DMU with Pilning on the destination blind in New Passage station with the 1.05pm Bristol Temple Meads - Severn Beach service on 28 September 1959. Michael Mensing.
28th September 1959
A Derby suburban triple DMU (with DMS W51145 closest) in Severn Beach station on 28 September 1959. It had arrived on the 2.12pm ex-Bristol via Pilning and would return on the 3.00pm via Clifton. Michael Mensing.
Unknown date
A Derby suburban triple DMU in Severn Beach station with an Avonmouth to Bristol via Pilning service, date unknown. Stuart Mackay Collection.
circa March 1971
A Class 119 DMU in Severn Beach station. The slide process date was March 1971. Stuart Mackay Collection.
16th August 1972
Severn Beach station on August 16 1972, and a diesel railcar (W55032, set no B132) awaits departure with the 16.08 to Bristol Temple Meads. It looks as if the GWR-style nameboard has just been removed, but some GWR platform benches survive. Tom Burnham.
16th August 1972
Railcar W55032 (set B132) awaits departure from Bristol Temple Meads on 16 August 1972 with the 15.18 to Severn Beach. Tom Burnham.
circa April 1973
Class 119 DMU set B573 (presumably 51055 + 59417 + 51083) departs from Montpelier station with a Severn Beach - Bristol service. The slide process date was April 1973. Stuart Mackay Collection.
1974
A dmu (possibly a Class 121) arrives at Sea Mills on the Severn Beach Branch 1974. Alan Dinmore photographs a Severn Beach to Bristol TM service arriving at Sea Mills - image courtesy of railarchive.org.uk. Ian Dinmore/railarchive.org.uk.
26th May 1975
Class 121 "bubble" W55035 seen at Stapleton Road with the 15:13 Bristol Temple Meads-Severn Beach service on 26 May 1975. Robert Thomas.
16th June 1976
Pressed Steel 'Bubble car' railcar No W55032 (Set B132) at Severn Beach on Wednesday 16 June 1976. I used to call these 1-DOOMs as I thought any branch that was worked by these was 'doomed'. Fortunately that proved not to be the case for this particular branch. Mr Deltic.
28th July 1976
Taken with my first camera 55034 is seen at Severn Beach on the 28th July 1976. Ian Buck.
November 1976
Class 121 W55033 in Severn Beach station in November 1976. Tony Watson.
Unknown date
On a day in the late 1970s 55032 arrives at Avonmouth. Ian Buck.
25th October 1978
W55033 at Clifton Down station, 25th October 1978. Tiptree Jon.
Unknown date
Class 101 set B801 (presumably 51517 + 59547 + 51446) is seen in Severn Beach station. Date unknown, possibly 1978 or 1979. John Law.
13th January 1979
Class 121 "bubble car" W55033 arrives at Bristol Temple Meads at the end of its journey from Severn Beach on 13 January 1979. Nicholas T Smith.
1st May 1979
Class 119 set B573 (W51083 + W59417 + W51055) at Severn Beach on 1 May 1979. Some students were conducting a passenger survey that evening and when they got to us asked "do you live on the beach"? Quick as a flash my friend Alan replied "no, I live in a house". My how we laughed. I don't think the poor lad knew what to make of that, nor our reason for travel and departing again on the same train, as it didn't fit neatly into any of his survey tick boxes!!! He avoided us on the journey back to Bristol. Alistair Ness.
10th October 1979
Class 121 DMU W55033 in Bristol Temple Meads on Severn Beach duties on 10 October 1979. David Russon.