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Temple Meads disused train shed
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pdeaves
Established Member
Yes, I believe so.
edwin_m
Veteran Member
The windows have the characteristic curved tops of a Midland signal box, which I guess makes sense as they were the main user of this part of the station (which I believe was joint with the GWR). The Midland was quite fond of having mid-platform boxes to control nearby crossovers, providing one at Derby and two at Nottingham and probably others elsewhere too.
Just to add that the building being talked about was the original terminus of Brunel’s Great Western Railway from Paddington.
It is a wonderful old building with a fascinating history.
Here’s a picture of it (not my painting) in its heyday.
Pretty sure it had a traverser (amongst other things) originally?
It is a wonderful old building with a fascinating history.
Here’s a picture of it (not my painting) in its heyday.
Pretty sure it had a traverser (amongst other things) originally?
edwin_m
Veteran Member
Are we talking about the original Brunel shed to the west, or the later extension (known as the Digby Wyatt shed, though I seem to recall he wasn't actually responsible for it)?
I think the Brunel shed Edwin.
coradiafan2000
Member
Back when I was into collecting Match Attax cards ten or so years ago I believe I went to a trading convention trading convention that was held in there. It was a magnificent building. I'd assume functions are still held there from time to time? Assuming I'm thinking of the same building... The picture looks right though.
hexagon789
Veteran Member
I can't remember of it was Bristol or somewhere else that had a hoist system which would raise a carriage and physically lift it over to another track and drop it back down?
Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
Given that Temple Meads is seriously lacking in a proper concourse and has a real lack of catering compared with other large stations, I've long thought it'd be good to do a Leeds style makeover and turn it into a "food concourse".
coppercapped
Established Member
Something very close to that is now planned. The extra platform(s) will be to the east of the current pedestrian access from Friary, essentially where the power box now stands.
edwin_m
Veteran Member
Will these be full-length platforms? If so they will extend quite a way beyond the existing ones.
Personally, I would like to have seen the old shed re-opened as 2 platforms for the IET's, which would have reduced passenger numbers going through the platforms subway, current ticket barriers and being able to enter/exit onto Temple Back/Friary directly as well as Station Approach for busses and taxis - although the Passenger Shed is well used is a very nice conference space.
Ashley Hill
Established Member
https://www.s-r-s.org.uk/html/gwb/S587.htm
The above link will hopefully take you to the SRS web page for Bristol Old Station box.
The problem with the Brunel / Midland shed is that it's OK for the new Paddington ones via Badminton and also Severn Beach trains, if they start at TM but not if they (will) start from Portishead or Weston /Taunton, being dead-end platforms. If trains starting from TM are going via Bath they have to cross the whole Bristol East Junction layout, in and out. Many trains reverse at TM, including Portsmouth /Brighton and Weymouth trains that head out to Wales or the north and would have to do the same if they turned around in those platforms.
The desire to use these reinstated platforms is (I have always assumed) that making the London bound pax walk a huge distance to the remote ends of TM (13 -15) has more to do with operational convenience and gave a poor welcome to visitors to Bristol. Previously, the main platforms were 3 (was 9 originally) for Paddington, and the adjacent old shed platform (was 12) for The North, which were accessed from the main entrance -much more 'the thing'.
It was also envisaged that the area outside the old shed would incorporate a new concourse and bus station to answer Bletchleyite's point. These ideas came more from Bristol City Council than Network Rail or GWR. AIUI.
The desire to use these reinstated platforms is (I have always assumed) that making the London bound pax walk a huge distance to the remote ends of TM (13 -15) has more to do with operational convenience and gave a poor welcome to visitors to Bristol. Previously, the main platforms were 3 (was 9 originally) for Paddington, and the adjacent old shed platform (was 12) for The North, which were accessed from the main entrance -much more 'the thing'.
It was also envisaged that the area outside the old shed would incorporate a new concourse and bus station to answer Bletchleyite's point. These ideas came more from Bristol City Council than Network Rail or GWR. AIUI.
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edwin_m
Veteran Member
As I understand it the services intended to use these platforms are fast London services that run via Parkway. So these platforms would be a good place operationally as well as for passengers, although there is still some conflict getting across to the Fast lines towards Filton.
The issue then is that London services become split. Some would be on one side of the station, and others would be on platforms 13/15. Not good if one train gets delayed or cancelled, and suddenly everyone has to trek to the other side of the station. Maybe thats why they havent bothered with bringing the old shed back into service.
NSEFAN
Established Member
My understanding was that it was waiting for Bristol PSB to close, a project which was delayed.
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