Search for Alney Island Railway marshalling yard Gloucester

Once a major Marshalling yard and sidings for Gloucester docks traffic, what's there now? Only one way to find out. It can be difficult to orientate your self when undergrowth has changed the outlook. On the other hand it was a major siding complex so you would expect some success. It eventually became apparent that major works have taken place and we have to dig deep to find remains of the old railway. Having said that there are significant remains when you know where to look including the bridge over the river and various viaduct structures scattered about. And there had to be some old railway sleeper fence posts somewhere. My passion has been walking, last year I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s and walking is no longer natural. However I find that the more walking I do, the easier it gets, at least for now.
I hope that watching these films will encourage others to hang in there, and try to keep going, whilst enjoying beautiful countryside

[@sixtysecondsofstephens2386]

It's amazing what's still about. Enjoying your videos.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Hi Stephen, all you have todo is grovel about in the undergrowth! Ron

[@LostsTVandRadio]

Ah yes the old Telford bridge. I don't even remember now when the road was switched to the new bridge. Nice to see that you can still access it on foot.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

An important part of our history going back to nature.

[@donsharpe5786]

I walked over Telford's bridge many times and looked at the yard and watched the comings and goings in the 1960s. I never went to that side of the docks. I did go to the other end of the docks, which was fed from the ex LMS line. I do remember looking across from a road, and I can't exactly remember where, and seeing a fireless engine in what could have been a flour mill. I did see trip freights going back and forth on the line to central. I wish I had paid more attention, but I was supposed to be doing school work and I was more interested in passenger stock and the abnormal rather than the normal. Thanks for taking me back nearly 60 years.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Great read, thanks for sharing Don P.W.

[@lionelmarytravels6003]

In spite of the councils best efforts at destroying everything, it's amazing how much railway material that got overlooked. Lots of track and sleepers. All you needed was a good map and an even better imagination. Must have been a wonderful sight in it's day..

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Top secret Lionel, Pauline and I collected ballast from there before it all got removed. Made a nice railway feature in the garden with an old sleeper at a jaunty angle. Of course I shall deny all knowledge. Ron

[@michaelpilling9659]

I totally agree with you. Councils take it upon themselves to remove history at will. Flood defences? Didn't work did it. A superb film. You found some wonderful artifacts that show just how important this area was as a transhipping depot and dock.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Thank you Michael, I couldn't believe it had all just gone. P.W.

[@Ne1170]

I Walk here at least a few times a week with my dog, always wondered about the history of the area. thankyou for your video.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Glad to be of service. PW

[@sumacmacarthur3380]

A very interesting walk, thanks. Between you and me Ron, James is about to chew his paws he's getting so bored without teaching. Luckily he's finding some of your older videos that we haven't watched yet, which seems to be keeping him (and me) occupied! I reckon it's Nailsworth Branch Line tomorrow, if I can convince him to watch them in a rational manner. I do what I can. Sumac OVM.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Wonderful, Sumac you have my sympathy, we both know what James is like. Tell him he could always go and film the abandoned railway to relieve the boredom. Ron

[@willumwhitmore9419]

Thoroughly enjoyable - the walk and your video - thank you

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

No Problem. P.W.

[@willumwhitmore9419]

Great presentation - was in the UK last year and did this walk and will do again next year, Covid permitting.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Wonderful! P.W.

[@andywhite40]

Very interesting video, many thanks!! For those interested in the railways of this area, I would heartily recommend Neil Parkhouse's book "West Gloucester and Wye Valley lines" which is volume 1 of a fascinating series of books of solely colour photographs exploring the once extensive railway network in the county. This line features in this book but sadly no photos of the sidings however the docks branch and power station do feature. Keep up the good work!!

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Thanks Andy. Ron

[@lawrenceogden8682]

great video

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Thanks for the visit Lawrence. Ron

[@keithreed2869]

I live in Gloucester docks Alney island is my back garden. If you walk down the canal at Llantoney quay thay have left rail lines to now demolished floor mill. Now Sainsburys. Also part of LMS swing bridge over the G&S canal still there.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Thanks Kieth. P.W.

[@alisonlee3314]

Fabulous! The sinking in the middle of the bridge clearly wasn't a problem as it's still standing! Ive followed old railway lines for years....it gets addictive! Your knowledge is impressive...with a touch of humour. If you ever make it up to Glasgow, we have a plethora of old lines which are very interesting. Stay well. Walking is an excellent exercise. Subscribed x

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Thanks for your lovely comments Alison. If I make it to Scotland, I'll look out for you on the old tracks!

[@flippop101]

Nice film. Much appreciated.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Thanks Philip. P.W.

[@greatbritishentertainmentl5636]

Apart from the cynical jibe at GCC, this is a nice steady wander through the undergrowth of the former Gloucester docks railway sidings.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Thanks GBE, criticism accepted. I hope it didn't detract too much for you. I have quite a few films of abandoned railways on my channel if you are still tempted. P.W.

[@greatbritishentertainmentl5636]

@@ParkinsonsWalks Thanks PW - I've already been looking at your very interesting Nailsworth to Stonehouse footage which led me onto your Gloucester docks video. All very informative.

[@MrBooojangles]

Great video and very informative. I have visited Gloucestershire on holidays many times in my life from where I live in the Channel Islands. As I've got older I love to look for disused railways on OS maps and look at them on the ground, though I would never have known how to get down to that area and we only go in the summer, so I bet it's harder to find all that hidden stuff in the undergrowth then. I would of loved to have ventured around the derelict areas at Gloucester Docks (sorry not sure what the area is called) from about St. Ann's Way down towards the first corner of the canal on the west side of the G&S canal, before they built all those houses, but we didn't sadly. We always have to go to Sharpness docks too to see the rails around there and the lovely bridges along the canal and all the old historic infrastructure.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Nice to know we share a passion, I was filming the rail network at Sharpness a little while ago, should be out in a few months. Thanks for the comment P.W.

[@MrBooojangles]

@@ParkinsonsWalks ah great, I will look out for it. There is about 3 old rail videos I've seen from Sharpness on You Tube but that's about it. Shame all the freight went from rail to trucks there, as there are so many sidings and odd bits of track branching off into corners where sheds were or the old gas works. Though no doubt, if trains were still busily coming and going there today, it would all be a health and safety nightmare and fenced off to the public completely.

[@geoffreyanthony4276]

Good useful documentary. Much information on the area as it was can be gleaned from old Ordnance Survey maps. On one of about 1900 the rail bridge across the river is described as a swing bridge; from what I saw last month that must have been replaced later since the present remains do not correspond to a swing bridge. Will definitely have another look on my next visit to Gloucester.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Look forward to hearing what you find. Will you be filming?

[@geoffreyanthony4276]

@@ParkinsonsWalks Will be still photoing - probably digital. Gea

[@leeclift4666]

Nice film did you mention anything about the power station built by the severn l am sure that's why the coal staging was built.Great to see the broad gauge rail used as fence posts.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Hi Lee, I think Gloucester was once the gateway for coal from South Wales, so it probably had multiple uses. P.W.

[@leeclift4666]

@@ParkinsonsWalks cheers for the reply been watching a few more of your films really enjoying these keep the good work up fella

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

@@leeclift4666 Thanks Lee. P.W.

[@vduridalternatives]

A work colleague saw a class 08 with cement tanks use the bridge in early 80s... We work at Shire Hall and work very hard I assure you!!

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Thanks for posting, I can only apologize for my off the cuff remarks, no offense meant. P.W.

[@alberthajer2934]

Absolutely amazing video. 9:19 Where is this? I've been to Alney Island many times but never seen this.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Hi Dan, if you start by the pedestrian bridge over the river by the council car park, follow the river downstream and you can't miss it. It's the old rail crossing into the docks. P.W.