The Avon Valley Railway (AVR), based in Bitton, near Bristol, runs on a three mile stretch of the former Midland Railway Mangotsfield to Bath main line, which closed in the 1960s. A group of volunteers got together in 1972 to try and re-open part of the railway. When they began their work, Bitton station and its yard had been left to decay by British Rail. By 1974 they had laid approximately 100 yards of track and trains started running again. So going forward on Thursday 4th April 2024, the day marked 50 years since the first train ran on this line in preservation at Bitton. To celebrate, the railway put on a 4-day event from this date with lots happening around the railway including a two train service each day, a re-creation of the first preservation train, talks on the history of the railway, displays and stalls, anniversary dining trains offering a 1970s inspired menu! And a Special "Oldland Shuttle" which re-created the first train in 1974. Many Wings & Wheels Society Dursley members visited this excellent Heritage Railway over the 4-day event. Our visit was on Sunday the 7th of April, where Debs and I meet our good friends Chris Roscoe on the garden stand, Chris volunteers for the railway, including working on AVR gardens, and my wife's family friend Brian who is now a volunteer on the station staff. The day was action packed, seeing 0-6-0 saddle tank locos in action, No 7 Glendower (Hunslet built 1956 in Leeds), and anniversary visiting loco No 1919 Cranford, built in 1924 by Avonside works Bristol, that looked stunning with its coach lined green paint work. The event saw all days very busy with many visitors attending the event. Wings & Wheels Society Dursley would like to thank the very friendly and helpful volunteers, caterers, engine owners and everyone else involved in organising the event for putting on such an excellent, well run, and pleasant event, cheers to another 50 years plus.
Copyright of all pictures in this gallery belong to R Kelsey.