Bristol Temple Meads
Until May 1988, the roughly hourly service from Cardiff to Portsmouth was loco-hauled. These trains reversed at Bristol
and often changed locos at the same time. Class 33's were the most common form of motive power, however,
the Bristol to Cardiff leg of the Journey would often be worked by classes 47, 50 or even a 'Peak'. In this picture, taken
on 11 July 1987, 50 003 has just arrived with a train from Cardiff. A class 33 has backed on to the other end in order to
work the train on to Portsmouth.
This picture was taken from Bath Road bridge, just to the south of Temple Meads on 28 June 1986.
A southbound train headed by 50 009 is departing while in the station in the background, platform 12 is occupied by
50 018 as well as the usual gathering of trainspotters who enjoyed this vantage point which offered an excellent view
of Bath Road depot.
Bath Road depot was situated right next to the southern end of Temple Meads station. This picture taken from the
end of platform 12 in June 1989, shows (left to right) 50 046, 50 042, 50 019 and 50 015. Previously, 50 019 had been in NSE livery
and had recently been repainted in plain blue to work engineers trains.
33 017 is seen at Temple Meads station with a train from Portsmouth on 11 July 1987.
37 131 was unusual motive power for a train conveying air-conditioned stock. This unexpected arrival
caused me to grab my camera in rather a hurry on 11 July 1987.
These days I find it hard to believe how easy it used to be to spend the whole day at stations like Temple Meads.
There seemed to be constant locomotive activity everywhere! 50 038 and 50 036 stand just a few feet apart from each other at
platform 6 on 25 July 1987.
You cant have too many class 50's! Another class 50 picture shows snowplough fitted 50 018 on 25 July 1987.
33 051 on 25 July 1987.
