Avon Valley Railway
The Avon Valley Railway is a 3-mile standard-gauge heritage railway running through the Avon valley in South Gloucestershire, between Bitton (the headquarters) and Oldland Common (eastward) and Avon Riverside (westward). The line is part of the former Midland Railway Mangotsfield to Bath Green Park line, closed in 1966.
The Bristol Suburban Railway Society was formed in 1972 with the aim of preserving the line, and the first preserved trains ran in 1991. The location close to the Bristol & Bath Railway Path (a popular cycle route on the rest of the closed Midland trackbed) gives the line good visitor footfall.
History
The Bristol Suburban Railway Society was formed in 1972. After lengthy fundraising and acquisition of the trackbed at Bitton, the first preserved trains ran in 1991. Subsequent extensions to Oldland Common (1996) and Avon Riverside (2004) brought the line to its present 3-mile length.
Original line history
The line was the Midland Railway route from Mangotsfield (north of Bristol) to Bath Green Park, opened in 1869. It was the Midland's preferred route into Bath, as part of the larger Somerset & Dorset network. Passenger services were withdrawn in 1966 as part of the S&D closures.
Stations and infrastructure
Bitton is the headquarters, in the rebuilt 1869 Midland station building. Avon Riverside is a riverside station next to the River Avon walking and cycling path.
Route and stations
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors
Special events and operations
Events include steam galas, 1940s weekends, beer festivals, dining trains, and Santa Specials.
Visitor information
Bitton is signposted from the A431 between Bristol and Bath. The Bristol & Bath Railway Path passes by the line.