Pilning - Bonus Video

[@pilningstation8155]

Amazing video. Thank you for visiting :)

[@uwlodar]

I find it funny how they installed brand new footbridges on the Brigg Line when they didn't really need to, yet they didn't bother to install one at a station that needed a new footbridge.

[@Mortimer50145]

That happens so often. It;'s the same as with road resurfacing. They announce that a certain road will be closed for resurfacing and you think "Great, they'll fix all those potholes". And you find that they've patched all the bits that didn't really need doing, but they've left the really bad potholes untouched :-(

[@TheUncleGrant]

Bristol Temple Mead is by far my favorite Station, It was so nice to see it again. Thanks Geoff and Vicki. I hope Pilning Station gets the support it deserves.

[@roundel52]

I'm guessing that the incredibly helpful station assistant isn't usually there.

[@pilningstation8155]

Come and check for yourself :)

[@TheLlamaKid]

Pilning Station how is this going

[@ZGryphon]

"It's not dead, it's Pilning." "Pilning?" "Yeah, Pilning. For the fjords."

[@Bullmannumber4]

A couple of things. Firstly the main Temple Meads station isn't Brunel's. It's "usually attributed to Brunel's former associate Matthew Digby Wyatt, but there is no documentary evidence of his involvement in the Minutes of the Station Joint Committee. The only signature on the drawings is that of Francis Fox, the engineer of the B&ER." Also the HST that flew through Pilning was being lead by 43185, one of the two retro livery power cars, with this one being in the old swallow intercity livery 😀

[@Mortimer50145]

Yes I'm surprised Geoff and Vicki didn't show Brunel's station and its long disused platforms. When I was at university in Bristol in the 80s, they were in the process of reopening the platforms as an exhibition and temporary theatre area.

[@phu010]

The main building we see today dates from the 1870s, long after Brunel died, and is attributed to Francis Fox. Brunel's terminus still exists on the right as you look out of the main entrance. It was a terminus station and is at right angles to the current tracks. It was replaced to allow through running from London to Exeter. Like most of Brunel's work it proved to be not fit for purpose in the long run.

[@Mortimer50145]

It always intrigued me that Brunel built his original station as a terminus, on the London-Bristol line, and another station was built at right-angles as a terminus for the Bristol-Exeter line. You'd think that right from the start they'd want through running (London-Exeter) even if the two sections of line were owned by separate companies. It's hardly surprising that the present station was built on what was effectively a later curve joining the the London-Bristol and Bristol-Exeter lines.

[@Bristoltwingo]

This use to be my nearest station, (Alveston) and I use to use this station when it had a daily service to travel to Manchester via the Welsh Marches line changing in Newport.

[@simonuden8450]

Geoff, Brunel only built the old station. The one that's now an exhibition centre (I think). The curved station dates from the linking of the Great Western and the Bristol and Exeter lines, which was post-Brunel

[@cragoolia3782]

RIP That was the only Saturday I was not getting the train there

[@pilningstation8155]

Shame!

[@donutdisturb69]

It's in the middle of nowhere, half the platform is gravel and hardly any trains stop there. Trainspotters paradise. (Went there last week 😛)

[@airfoxtrot2006]

Very nice video, perfectly timed to watch before work!

[@welshmountaingoat9034]

Almost 6 years later and that new junction on the M49 they mentioned is still not open!

[@blablabluuuu]

another great video from all the sations #allthestation

[@Gixxeralan]

Great video love this blog!I have been waiting for the Severn Beach branch to feature, it must be one of the best value for money routes on the network as I can get a return from Clifton Down to Temple Meads for two pounds no railcard!

[@MrDaiseymay]

I'm here because I'm looking for archive info ( photos) of /about Pilning Signal Box. My brother worked in it during 1955. He often talked excitedly about the expresses that roared through, the ''Red Dragon'' and ''The Bristolian'' etc etc. I enjoyed this video though, nice people doing good things.

[@stephenchappell7512]

Sadly Pilning Box is long gone but you might be interested to know that the box from nearby Holesmouth Junction and the signals from Hallen Marsh have been relocated to the Vintage Trains depot at Tyseley Birmingham and can be accessed on their open days

[@IBLRG]

Its been a pleasure communicating with the Pilling station group, like our 72 mile Brigg Line their line is now Saturday Only as well. At Gainsborough Central we have a brand new £400000 Network Rail footbridge that we didn't want as we have a safe footcrossing, our controversial footbridge at Gainsborough Central and Brigg have been highlited many times in Rail magazine. We are quite happy for the lovely people at Pilling station to have our new Gainsborough Central one. Another cloud over Network Rails head, why have these people been left in this situation, where was the consultation ?

[@vinniesuperstar8923]

I love Pilning station. Nice quite place to go and watch HST's hammer by. I love how Vicki and Geoff aroused such interest too. Shame they took the bridge away too. I was there the day that an HST stopped. I have some great photos of other HST's using the avoiding line behind the platform.

[@andrewsebastianrothgarnant350]

I was on that Charter Train (The Torbay Express) yesterday. Really beatiful journey down the Riviera Line. However there was one problem and that's called "Network Rail". On our return journey from Kingswear we were held for 30 mins at Goodrington Sands and told that they wouldn't put us on the mainline at Paington Because they had a signal failure at Exeter. We were then held at Paington for 15 mins before reaching Newton Abbot. Then we were held for 105 mins at Newton Abbot then another 15 mins at Exeter St. Davids before driving 30 mph-ish most of the way to Taunton. By the time we reached Taunton our train was more than 3 hours late and we would not reach Bristol until midnight. So instead we were told to join a CrossCountry service behind us (free of charge) and we arrived at Bristol 90 mins Before the Charter Train 😅🇬🇧

[@AndreiTupolev]

And on Saturday, because of another "signalling problem", everything was completely buggered about at Bristol and most things were cancelled, including the only train calling at Pilning!

[@pilningstation8155]

Not quite. 8:33 am called as usual; 13:32 was cancelled, but kindly replaced by GWR with the next one calling at 14:32.

[@simontay4851]

Why was there a signal failure. Did someone vandalise it.

[@MrGreatplum]

I don't understand why they don't improve the infrastructure to allow for a more regular service - I assume the cost of a new footbridge is prohibitive...

[@ianmcclavin]

MrGreatplum As Geoff said, increase the facilities and the service and it'll attract more passengers. Sadly the opposite is also true, and it looks as if Piling Station is just in the way of the electrification plans, and they're trying to close it by stealth. Before the Settle-Carlisle line was reprieved, Ribblehead Station had only a southbound platform for many years. It was only after closure of the line was refused that infrastructure improvements, including a new northbound platform for Ribblehead, were proceeded with, now the place is thriving!! At least Pilning's not on a line threatened with total closure, let's hope things improve there.

[@borderlands6606]

Precisely the tactic. In Beeching's time BR would change timetables to ensure connections were missed, take user surveys in school holidays and wakes weeks, and generally make rail travel appear impractical, so they could claim no one uses them! Don't be fooled by statistics.

[@MrGreatplum]

Ian Mcclavin - I had a look at the wiki page and it says that Severn beach is actually closer to pilning and has a better service - I don't know the area well but would it make sense to concentrate on one station?

[@pilningstation8155]

No. Both are important, and both are needed. Pilning to Cardiff = 33 mins. Severn Beach to Cardiff = ? hours You'd better come and see :) or at least check out the website www.pilningstation.uk

[@Mortimer50145]

Exactly. For services to Bristol, Pilning and Severn Beach probably have similar journey times. But as you say, Severn Beach is a lot less convenient for getting to south Wales. The situation at present sounds ludicrous: that trains can only call in one direction. The difficulty is that the line is probably so busy that it would impose delays on other trains if the one platform was used for trains in both directions. My local station (Malton) has this arrangement, but the difference is that there's only one train an hour in each direction, and all trains stop there, so there's no need to allow for expresses passing through. The Severn Beach line used to continue and join the London-Wales line facing towards London - it joined *east* of Pilning station and had its own separate halt right very close by. Not sure when that branch closed, but it appears on 1951 1:25K and 1960 1-inch OS maps.

[@andrewjameson5918]

I have spent sometime there many years ago. But was supprised that was not a more regualr service, all I wanted to do was to go through the seven tunnell and back again.

[@andyjamess]

Yay. My Least Used station suggestion was mentioned again.

[@trainviation7119]

Such a fantastic video ☺️☺️ loved it, good luck and keep up the good work 😁😁

[@owenstockwood5040]

Nice one getting the first production sprinter!

[@benglover2007]

loving your work!

[@StuK323]

What a criminal misuse of a station.

[@lokeuk4383]

Brilliant! Keep these coming!

[@390h8er]

Ideally Pilning station could do with being resited further west, closer to the village. Maybe even build a four-track layout to permit more stopping trains without blocking the main line?

[@jaffacakecraigy]

Love the ending, and the original liveried Intercity 125 hst engind on that gwr train :)

[@bridoconaill4473]

You went on the Severn beach line 2 weeks before the new class 166s were introduced.

[@batman51]

I think a little realism is needed here. Pilning village is a mile walk from Severn Beach and closer than Piling station which is in the middle of nowhere. To stop more trains there simply adds to journey times for no obvious benefit. We would all like stations on our doorstep but in terms of priorities, this must come very near the bottom. A better service to Severn Beach might be worth trying - hourly perhaps.

[@pilningstation8155]

Talking of realism, trains stopping at Pilning could bring workforce to the nearby enterprise area (one of the largest in the UK), which is virtually adjacent to the station. The station could also be used by residents of nearby villages, not only Pilning / Severn Beach, as it's a lot closer and easier to get to than Bristol Parkway.

[@SimonS44]

batman51 If it was a request stop it wouldn't even necessarily extend your journey, only if someone really wants to get on or off it would stop

[@gobears6487]

Plus batman51, see Pilning Station's reply above about the vastly different time to Cardiff from one vs the other...

[@allthebusroutesbristol9649]

Severn beach line has a 2 hourly weekday service and an hourly weekend service. Pillning would be used it used to be a fully undercover heated staffed station, now this is what it is since they closed the loop line from Severn beach to Pillning and put houses on top of it.

[@allthebusroutesbristol9649]

I think simply put an hourly service at Pillning as a request stop. Then the train might not fly 1000 feet past the platform like it did a couple weeks ago!

[@37adrianporter]

The station you show Temple meads was not built by IKB it was designed by Francis Fox and IKB designed the now covered car park adjoining.

[@DangItshere]

wait is that HST had a british rail Intercity 125 livery??

[@BluejayElectra]

Svart Röd I think it was 43185 which had the Intercity Swallow livery... but yeah, 43002 is in the Intercity 125 livery (makes sense as it was the first class 43 built)

[@flyingbananatree5661]

Why haven't I seen more of these? Bonus videos, tick

[@BusRoutesBristol]

Only one train stopped on 22nd September, the afternoon train went through without stopping. This wasn’t suppose to happen

[@GeorgeChoy]

geoff Marshall's latest least used station brought me here

[@CS_22]

Hey, You Saw The Intercity 125 Liveried GWR HST!

[@cragoolia3782]

Gonna actually announce, the gent from GWR at Pilning forgot Parson Street as the 13:34 stopped at Parson Street too!

[@deathrider7]

Tut tut Geoff, blasphemy York is an awesome station!!!!!

[@colin5021]

Great as usual, but G&V, you're going to have to go back to BTM....engaging nerd-mode.....the main part of the station ISN'T Brunel's - it's a late C19 addition. IKB's original is (in part) a car park sadly. If you stand in front of (and facing away from) the main building, IKB's original is the long building on your RHS. The platforms are still there.

[@obliteron]

More trains please!

[@mikepowell2776]

Didn’t know about this vid. Sorry for comment in LUS Wilts.

[@bachtehude2437]

There's a road underpass 100yds away. Could they not put a path in for access like has been done at Breich?

[@mikecowen6507]

AllTheStations Geoff, check the typo on "Piling Station" in the description.

[@FarlandHowe]

The size of your entourage is growing.

[@Dosedmonkey]

Bristol Parkway is a nightmare, as people come as far as Portishead to use it and it's not near the motorway and in the middle of residential area.

[@peterclapham7284]

Vicki, nicest and most refreshing person on KZbin. If you are not on mainstream TV very soon I will be surprised. Only a very small crush.

[@Northerner_Transport_Hub]

I really like Pilning station it's quite abandoned though

[@rjl1v07]

Greetings from Canada! Great to randomly meet you at Temple Meads. Even managed to appear in the video at 1:44! Your presentation style and content are getting even better as the journey continues. Have GWR erected a new sign at Pilning yet? Surely every station needs a sign!

[@maplady572]

Great video and such a lovely ending, the joy on Vicki's face! Just wondered who the guy was with the big camera, filming you as you departed?

[@MrGreatplum]

Karen Pinchbeck - it's a cameraman from itv West Country according to the blurb at the top...

[@maplady572]

MrGreatplum thanks - I should read the blurb! 😁

[@maplady572]

Geoff Marshall caught out! Must do better! I *do* always thumbs up tho 😉

[@edfielden]

It was me! :)

[@maplady572]

Ed Fielden hello Ed! 😊

[@Marcsharp82]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think the wires will go as far as Pilning now which made the footbridge removal a pointless expensive waste.

[@CJonestheSteam72]

Absolutely ridiculous situation, sad that just one of many local stations with a virtually unusable service. Companies are happy to invest but often only in cities.

[@Mortimer50145]

This is what annoys me about HS2: railway companies will spend colossal amounts of money giving a faster service to places that already have a good service, but they won't spend money improving services on existing lines. My wife would use Malton-Leeds trains instead of driving to work, if only they ran more often than once an hour and had more carriages so it wasn't necessary to stand. It's like with 4G: they upgrade masts in towns to give people who already have 3G an even faster service, but they don't spend money upgrading rural masts to give them a more widespread coverage even at basic phone and 3G level.

[@bamfordy]

What frequency would make your wife use these, there already hourly which is pretty good in my book, and soon to be doubled in frequency as far as York

[@Mortimer50145]

Half-hourly would be better. She got fed up of being kept by an over-running meeting and just missing the hourly train in Leeds and having to wait an hour for the next one. OK, she could a frequent service to York, but that would just have moved the problem to waiting at York. For a while she drove to York, getting one of the Park and Rides to York station and then train from there, but now either drives to Garforth, using it as a Park and Ride for Leeds, or else drives to the city centre. She's just started driving to the P&R on the outskirts of Leeds. She used to get the train from Malton, because it was hassle-free and involved no changes and not much driving, but then they reduced the frequency at evening peak times from half-hourly to hourly, which triggered her "sod this for a lark" detector :-) You'd think they would put on *more* trains at peak times, but train and bus services (eg Coastliner from Malton to Leeds) actually run *less* frequently at peak times than off-peak, which is ludicrous as you have to wait longer and the train/bus is then more over-crowded because it's got two loads of passengers on it, an extra one for the "missing" train/bus.

[@callumltfc]

Lovely 66 & 37 👍😍

[@OkenWS]

Those GWR Sprinters need some love. Even the TFW Pacers look far less battered than that.

[@stevenhill897]

Geoff I think you have met your match telling Billy going to Bristol every weekend . I'm not surprised he had go at you

[@UTubeThePatient]

Did you spot the original IKB station next to the newer Bristol TM one?

[@joshmartin152]

hi Geoff when are you going to do the Vale of Glamorgan line

[@MrBook123456]

👍👍👍

[@thepvporg]

Why didn't they add a set of points up the line and down the line that would switch opposite service on to access that platform..?

[@thepvporg]

Norbiton Flyer it wouldn't take that long, rail track is pre fab so chopping in to rails, remove the section replace with new section containing the points... few hours later (like overnight) they could install one set of points and if they doubled up, complete both points... I just seen a video of network doing upgrades like that. :)

[@cjmillsnun]

Points are custom built.

[@thepvporg]

theres no reason why they couldn't put in points or a foot bridge if they are concerned about cost.

[@DavidWood2]

It is not just the physical provision and installation of the points, but the associated changes to the interlocking and signalling that push up the cost massively. Moreover, new facing points may well reduce line speed; the last thing that is wanted on a main line. It would almost certainly be cheaper to reinstate the footbridge.

[@Rowan_wallace]

Welcome to Bristol

[@Dosedmonkey]

Is it not more feasible to have a crossing with automatic barriers?

[@baldoldbear]

couldn't they have raised the bridge on extra stairs to get the wires under Victorians are smart modular stations with extra bits where needed

[@EdgyNumber1]

Chris Grayling has now decided he doesn't want to electrify the GWR line now so.. no problem!!

[@spicychickenwings-lc4rf]

Chester station hire me for the platform 3b cos I know that line by memory: Shotton, Flint, Prestatyn, Rhyl,Abergele and Pensarn, Colwyn Bay, Llandudno Junction, Deganwy and Llandudno.or Flint, Prestatyn, Rhyl, Colwyn Bay,Llandudno Junction, Conwy, Paenmaenmawr, Llanfairfechan and Bangor. And also upto Holyhead is same stations up to Bangor and then Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, Bodorgan,Ty Croes, Rhosneigr,Valley and holyhead.

[@michaellee8410]

Hi, I like Vicki's new 9and 3 quarter earrings.

[@nigelkthomas9501]

Why not simply put a foot crossing in at one end of the platforms with a red/green light?

[@DavidWood2]

Network Rail have a policy of removing level crossings from the network wherever possible. No new level crossings can be created except in exceptional circumstances. Even with miniature lights, it is inconceivable a new foot crossing would be approved, especially when the line speed is high and many trains are non-stopping. The Elsenham accident drew attention to the safety issues surrounding Station Pedestrian Crossings - www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/documents/RAIB_Elsenham2005.pdf . If, exceptionally, a new station pedestrian crossing were created, it will probably have to have miniature stop lights, with locking gates and CCTV perhaps also being required. By the time you have done all that, especially if you are installing to the gold standard of interlocking the gates with the signalling system, a replacement footbridge is likely to be cost effective. Perhaps the biggest problem here is that once you remove an existing footbridge which is the sole means of crossing the track, the expectation is any replacement provision is to modern standards, which means a footbridge with lifts. I am a huge supporter of access for all, not least as I am a powerchair user, but in situations like Pilning I wonder whether it is appropriate to make an exception. If an existing footbridge has to be replaced with a new footbridge then I wonder whether it should be acceptable to build a new footbridge with passive provision for lifts to be added as and when funding is available, with an easement in place allowing turning back or providing taxis for those whose mobility does not allow them to cross the footbridge. The ideal should always be access for all, but if it is a choice between no access for anyone or access for the majority with full access being provided when funding allows, I know which I prefer. I hope the eventual answer is that Pilning can become a revitalised transport hub, perhaps in part as a park and ride facility, at which point extensive upgrades such as a new footbridge with lifts can be justified.

[@allthebusroutesbristol9649]

If you were there the Saturday just gone, well the train overshot the platform with the rear of the train 600 feet away from the platform end. Chaos!!!!

[@simontay4851]

Did it reverse back or was that considered too dangerous by H&S.

[@Boabywankenobi]

Love that Geoff still rocks a two tone t-shirt....it's great his fashion sensibilities ended in 1995.

[@olivergray1367]

Pilning parkway wouldn’t work, people from Wales will keep using Severn Tunnel Junction, this is because it’s the other side of the bridge meaning people don’t pay the tolls

[@nialloconnell5895]

The toll is coming off this year I believe??

[@alfiewhittaker3763]

you missed the inter city class 43 hst

[@cragoolia3782]

Sorry going to have to say this but ‘So the old HST diesels being replaced by the new electric twains’ xD

[@RoyTheMouth]

Wait, Pilning is staffed?!

[@thecornedbeefcouncil9792]

No. I don’t know why that guy was there? Presumably something to do with Geoffs visit.

[@jonathancombe9991]

Windy there isn't it!

[@Littlet1ts]

Oh a 125 with old intercity livery

[@TaylesTheTrainspotter]

Stevenya

[@clareholzapfel3676]

I saw 0:48 (37059) at Worcester and it seemed fine....

[@airplaneplustrainguy8143]

GWR and Network Rail should invest more there.

[@robloxtransportationfansyt6075]

The GWR guy got them all right

[@blablabluuuu]

nice

[@tractakid]

Garion!

[@Gallowaywind]

Hopeful you will get to Breich station before it closes... www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/west-lothian-rail-station-threatened-10697857

[@simontay4851]

There was a 38 degrees petition to save it and it was successful.

[@stephenyates962]

That's a very big claim about which station is best, Geoff

[@SnowmanTF2]

Pilning for the fjords

[@casualonion]

#TeamYork

[@SamSitar]

make a pedestrian crossing to the other platform.

[@cjmillsnun]

Not safe with HSTs thundering past at 125. They try to keep people off the tracks as much as possible. I don't think Network Rail would entertain the idea of a new foot crossing.

[@rrbrail7284]

Great video, me KTV Videos, Thegreatwesteners, superalbs and the freight dude 1000 all meet Algar she's a lovely women and we are all trying to help with the passenger numbers :D

[@MontytheHorse]

Oh, the shame of a Class 37 having to be rescued by a Shed. :-(

[@DavidShepheard]

Here is the Government Petition that Pilning Station Group want people to sign: petition.parliament.uk/petitions/200434 It's called “Eradicate the loophole that allows railway stations to be closed by stealth” and only 182 people have signed it. A lot more signatures are needed to force a debate in Parliament about this.

[@daveharrison9107]

Pilning village is equidistant from Pilning and Severn Beach stations. It also has a bus to Severn Beach station, connecting to semi regular trains to Bristol. Unless thousands of houses are going to be built by it, Pilning station should be closed. There is no point in it existing.

[@servertoaster]

1:18 :ooooo

[@PanzerFalcon2232]

43185 "Great Western"

[@servertoaster]

FUN FACT: Pilning isn't in Wales!

[@pollychild1714]

Bristol Temple Meads is a right dump, people smoking on platforms and the building is in very bad condition. They should vat more cleaners