Portbury/Portishead Line: Nigel Power Photography LRPS

Crossing Pill Viaduct

nigel537power@btinternet.com (Nigel Power Photography LRPS) — Sun, 18 Oct 2026 09:37:38 GMT

]]>At 1137hrs on Saturday 17 October 2026, Freightliner locos nos. 66544 & 66549 head up the Portbury Dock branchline at Pill in North Somerset. This train was 3S60, an RHTT working from Hereford to Swindon, via Bristol and Bath. It is seen here crossing Pill Viaduct. Unusually, the train sprayed on the up journey rather than the normal down trip.

Pill Station takes Shape

nigel537power@btinternet.com (Nigel Power Photography LRPS) — Sun, 18 Oct 2026 09:37:56 GMT

]]>At 1124hrs on Saturday 17 October 2026, Freightliner locos nos. 66544 & 66549 head down the Portbury Dock branchline at Pill in North Somerset. This train was 3S60, an RHTT working from Hereford to Swindon, via Bristol and Bath. It is seen here passing through the site of the new Pill station. The railway will eventually be twin-tracked here, with a new line on the left taking passenger trains to Portishead.

Portbury Steel at Parson Street

nigel537power@btinternet.com (Nigel Power Photography LRPS) — Sun, 18 Oct 2026 09:55:19 GMT

]]>At 1036hrs on Monday 17 November 2025, GBRf loco no. 66790 'Louise' takes the curve through Parson Street station in Bristol. This train was 6C92, the unladen Margam TC (0742hrs) to Portbury Auto Terminal steels working.

Autumn Colours

nigel537power@btinternet.com (Nigel Power Photography LRPS) — Sun, 18 Oct 2026 09:55:33 GMT

]]>At 1035hrs on Monday 17 November 2025, GBRf loco no. 66790 'Louise' approaches Parson Street station in Bristol. This train was 6C92, the unladen Margam TC (0742hrs) to Portbury Auto Terminal steels working.

Autumn Colour at Portbury

nigel537power@btinternet.com (Nigel Power Photography LRPS) — Sun, 18 Oct 2026 09:38:37 GMT

]]>Autumn has come early to the Bristol area, presumably the result of the recent hot and dry weather. At 1134hrs on Thursday 21 August 2025, GBRf loco no. 66767 'King's Cross PSB' approaches Portbury Dock. This train was 6C92, the Margam (0742hrs) to Portbury Auto Terminal unladen steels working. I stood here on the M5 Avonmouth Bridge deck for about twenty minutes waiting for the train, in dull flat light. Just as the train came into view, the sun broke through. Compensation for all those times when the light worked the other way around.

Early morning light at Ashton Gate

nigel537power@btinternet.com (Nigel Power Photography LRPS) — Sun, 18 Oct 2026 09:38:55 GMT

]]>At 0624hrs on Thursday 10 July 2025, DB Cargo loco no. 66656 heads along the Portbury Dock branchline at Ashton Gate in Bristol. This train was 6Z56, the Margam (0315hrs) to Portbury Auto Terminal unladen steels working. The train was running about twelve minutes early at this point. The elevated roadway is a dedicated section of the Bristol Metrobus network.

Last Light at Pill

nigel537power@btinternet.com (Nigel Power Photography LRPS) — Sun, 18 Oct 2026 09:39:24 GMT

]]>At 1720hrs on Wednesday 05 March 2025, GBRf loco no. 66783 'The Flying Dustman' passes through Pill in North Somerset at the head of 6B92, the Portbury Auto Terminal (1649hrs) to Margam loaded steel working. The train was 26 minutes late at this point, and only just caught the last of the evening light. GBRf have taken over this working from DB Cargo this week, with some radically different wagons to haul the loads of imported Indian steel slabs.

Red and Yellow

nigel537power@btinternet.com (Nigel Power Photography LRPS) — Sun, 18 Oct 2026 09:39:42 GMT

]]>DB Cargo loco no. 66652 heads up the line from Parson Street station in Bristol at 1257hrs on Friday 28 February 2025. This train was 6Z53, the Portbury Automotive Terminal (1243hrs) to Margam loaded steel working. I am led to believe that today was the last day of DB Cargo operating this working, and that from Monday this will be taken over by GBRf. So it's goodbye to the red and yellow.

Into the Sunlight

nigel537power@btinternet.com (Nigel Power Photography LRPS) — Sun, 18 Oct 2026 09:39:53 GMT

]]>At 1213hrs on Thursday 27 February 2025, DB Cargo loco no. 66129 emerges into a patch of sunlight on the down approach to Parson Street station in Bristol. This train was 6Z50, the early running Margam (0927hrs) to Portbury Automotive Terminal unladen steel working.

Portbury Loaded Steel

nigel537power@btinternet.com (Nigel Power Photography LRPS) — Sun, 18 Oct 2026 09:56:08 GMT

]]>A short distance out of Portbury Dock in Bristol, the freight-only branchline passes along an embankment across the River Avon floodplain. The river, tidal at this point, runs in the muddy ditch above the train. At 1243hrs on Tuesday 25 February 2025, DB Cargo loco no. 66652 heads 6Z53, the Portbury Automotive Terminal to Margam loaded steel working. Seen from the deck of the M5 Avonmouth Bridge.

Rust and Red

nigel537power@btinternet.com (Nigel Power Photography LRPS) — Sun, 18 Oct 2026 09:40:02 GMT

]]>At 1338hrs on Thursday 30 January 2025, DB Cargo loco no. 66656 departs Portbury Dock in Bristol at the head of 6Z53, the late running Portbury Automotive Terminal (1243hrs) to Margam loaded steel working. A rare sunny day day hereabouts this month.

Portbury Dock Departure

nigel537power@btinternet.com (Nigel Power Photography LRPS) — Sun, 18 Oct 2026 09:40:13 GMT

Not Many Leaves Left Now

nigel537power@btinternet.com (Nigel Power Photography LRPS) — Sun, 18 Oct 2026 09:40:24 GMT

]]>At 1124hrs on Wednesday 04 December 2024, an RHTT powered by 66792 & 66791 crosses Pill Viaduct on the Portbury Dock Branchline in North Somerset. This train was 3S59, the early running Hereford (0911hrs) to Swindon working. Judging by the number of leaves left on the trees hereabouts these workings must be approaching their end for this season.

Steel Slabs at Pill

nigel537power@btinternet.com (Nigel Power Photography LRPS) — Sun, 18 Oct 2026 09:40:35 GMT

]]>At 1252hrs on Wednesday 20 November 2024, DB Cargo loco no. 66655 heads a trainload of imported steel slab along the Portbury Dock branchline at Pill in North Somerset. This train was 6Z53, the Portbury Auto Terminal (1220hrs) to Margam working.

RHTT at Pill (2)

nigel537power@btinternet.com (Nigel Power Photography LRPS) — Sun, 18 Oct 2026 09:40:43 GMT

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Clearing Fog at Pill

nigel537power@btinternet.com (Nigel Power Photography LRPS) — Sun, 18 Oct 2026 09:41:29 GMT

]]>At 1422 hrs on Saturday 02 December 2023, Freightliner loco no. 66508 crosses the viaduct in Pill, North Somerset. This is part of the freight-only Portbury Dock branchline. The train was 4V35, the Wembley Receptions (0950 hrs) to Portbury Auto Terminal liner working. About twenty minutes prior to this scene, thick fog had obscured much of the view here, however it rapidly cleared, leaving only a hint of mist lingering in the trees.

A Bird's Eye View

nigel537power@btinternet.com (Nigel Power Photography LRPS) — Sun, 18 Oct 2026 09:42:44 GMT

]]>Not from a drone but as seen from the deck of the M5 Avonmouth Bridge in Bristol. Freightliner Class 66 loco no. 66419 'Lionesses' Roar' approaches the entrance to Portbury Dock on the afternoon of Saturday 12 November 2022. This train was 4V35, the London Gateway (0815hrs) to Portbury Automotive Terminal working. The train was 54 minutes late at this point, which was a shame as the light was even better at the 1430hrs booked time.

The Branch Line Leaf Buster

nigel537power@btinternet.com (Nigel Power Photography LRPS) — Sun, 18 Oct 2026 09:42:57 GMT

]]>At around midday on Wednesday 02 November 2022, a RHTT crosses onto the Portbury Dock branch line at Parson Street station in Bristol. This is a once-a-week variation to the normal route down towards Weston-super-Mare. Colas Rail Class 66 locos 66850 (leading) and 66846 provide the motive power. The working is 3S59, Hereford (0911hrs) to Swindon Transfer.

Leaf Buster at Pill

nigel537power@btinternet.com (Nigel Power Photography LRPS) — Sun, 18 Oct 2026 09:43:06 GMT

]]>At midday on Wednesday 26 October 2022, a seasonal RHTT heads along the Portbury Line at Pill, near Bristol. This working was 3S59, Hereford (0911hrs) to Swindon Transfer. Motive power was provided by a pair of Colas Rail Class 66 locos, nos. 66846 & 66850.

Sunlight and Steel Slab

nigel537power@btinternet.com (Nigel Power Photography LRPS) — Sun, 18 Oct 2026 09:44:17 GMT

]]>Winter sunlight strikes Class 66 loco no. 66023 of DB Cargo on the approach to Portbury Dock, Bristol. This was on the afternoon of Thursday 10 February 2022. The train was 6Z72, the Llanwern Exchange Sidings (1320 hrs) to Portbury Automotive Terminal working. The cargo was a load of steel slab for export via Portbury Docks. This view was seen from the deck of the M5 Avonmouth Bridge.

Summer sun in Pill

nigel537power@btinternet.com (Nigel Power Photography LRPS) — Sun, 18 Oct 2026 09:44:46 GMT

]]>The village of Pill stands on the left bank of the River Avon, between the City of Bristol and the Severnside ports. The railway runs through the middle of the village, as it used to have a passenger service, pre-Beeching. Today it is a freight-only line, and here we see 66772 of GB Railfreight heading out to Portbury Dock at the head of 6B59, the Acton Yard (1132 hrs) to Portbury Auto Terminal empty aggregates working on Tuesday 08 June 2021.

A Train in the Landscape

nigel537power@btinternet.com (Nigel Power Photography LRPS) — Sun, 18 Oct 2026 09:45:10 GMT

]]>Celebrity Class 66 loco no. 66721 'Harry Beck' of GBRf arrives at the entrance to the Portbury Dock complex in Bristol on the afternoon of Wednesday 24 March 2021. The train is 6B59, the Acton Yard (1048 hrs) to Portbury Auto Terminal empty aggregates working. This view, in lovely spring light, is seen from the deck of the M5 Avonmouth Bridge.
The light was a lot better here today than on my last visit, three weeks ago.

Spring Light at Portbury

nigel537power@btinternet.com (Nigel Power Photography LRPS) — Sun, 18 Oct 2026 09:45:18 GMT

]]>Class 66 loco no. 66775 'HMS Argyll' arrives at Portbury Dock on the afternoon of Tuesday 16 March 2021. The working was 6B59, the Colnbrook Lafarge GBRf (1045 hrs) to Portbury Auto Terminal empty aggregates service. This scene is at the entrance to the docks complex, beneath the M5 Avonmouth Bridge, Bristol.

Passing through Pill

nigel537power@btinternet.com (Nigel Power Photography LRPS) — Sun, 18 Oct 2026 09:45:29 GMT

]]>This scene is viewed from the deck of the M5 Avonmouth Bridge in Bristol. GBRf Class 66 loco no. 66725 'Sunderland' heads 6B58, the Colnbrook Lafarge (1045 hrs) to Portbury Auto Terminal working, on the afternoon of Tuesday 02 March 2021. The train has just passed through the village of Pill on the left bank of the River Avon, the river bed being visible in the top left corner of the image.

A Walk on the Wild Side

nigel537power@btinternet.com (Nigel Power Photography LRPS) — Sun, 18 Oct 2026 09:46:00 GMT

]]>Class 37 diesel loco. no. 37612, operated by Colas Rail, is seen approaching the entrance to Portbury Dock (left) on the morning of Wednesday 27 May 2020. The working was 0Z46, what I assumed to be a route learner, running from Cardiff Canton to the Bristol Docks sites. Here the line passes under the M5 Avonmouth Bridge.

'Cepheus' at Portbury

nigel537power@btinternet.com (Nigel Power Photography LRPS) — Sun, 18 Oct 2026 09:46:12 GMT

]]>Class 37 loco no. 37884 'Cepheus' of the Rail Operations Group arrives at Portbury Dock on the afternoon of Tuesday 22 October 2019. It was at the rear of 5Q81, Leicester LIP to Portbury Automotive Terminal, the leading loco being 47813 'Jack Frost'. It is seen here passing beneath the M5 Avonmouth Bridge.

A Princess at Portbury

nigel537power@btinternet.com (Nigel Power Photography LRPS) — Sun, 18 Oct 2026 09:46:20 GMT

]]>Class 57 loco no. 57305 'Northern Princess' passes underneath the M5 Avonmouth Bridge on departure from Portbury Automotive Terminal on the morning of Tuesday 01 October 2019. The working is 5Q32, an imported delivery of new TPE coaching stock, bound for Crewe. Rail Operations Group Class 47 loco no. 47813 'Jack Frost' provided support at the rear.

Class 47s at Pill

nigel537power@btinternet.com (Nigel Power Photography LRPS) — Sun, 18 Oct 2026 09:46:40 GMT

]]>A pair of Class 47 locomotives of ROG (Rail Operations Group) head through the site of the former Pill station on the morning of Tuesday 04 December 2018. They are 47815 leading and 47812, hauling a set of barrier wagons and a new 5-car Class 397 EMU set for TPE (Trans Pennine Express). This was imported via Portbury Dock. The train was 5Q32, heading to Crewe.

Evening Light at Portbury Dock

nigel537power@btinternet.com (Nigel Power Photography LRPS) — Sun, 18 Oct 2026 09:46:57 GMT

]]>Low evening light illuminates the underside of the M5 Avonmouth Bridge at the entrance to the Portbury Dock complex in Bristol on Friday 31 August 2018. Class 66 locomotive no. 66560 of Freightliner Heavy Haul passes the Dock Stop Board with a rake of empty coal hoppers. This working was 4C09, East Usk Yard to Portbury Dock. Once filled with coal this train will work onwards to Fiddlers Ferry power station.

Evening Freight at Portbury Dock

nigel537power@btinternet.com (Nigel Power Photography LRPS) — Sun, 18 Oct 2026 09:47:05 GMT

]]>A view of the Portbury Dock branchline taken from Avonmouth Bridge on the M5 Motorway. This was on the evening of Wednesday 29 August 2018. Class 66 locomotive no. 66547 of Freightliner Heavy Haul approaches the dock complex Stop Board with a rake of empty coal hoppers that originated from East Usk Yard, Newport, Gwent. This formed 4C09, the first of two such workings on this particular day.

Clifton Bridge No. 1 Tunnel

nigel537power@btinternet.com (Nigel Power Photography LRPS) — Sun, 18 Oct 2026 09:47:15 GMT

]]>A Class 70 locomotive (70805) of Colas Railfreight exits the Clifton Bridge No. 1 Tunnel on the Portbury Dock Branchline in Bristol. This was on the morning of Saturday 25 August 2018. In this view the loco was heading down the line towards Portbury Dock.

Running along the Gorge

nigel537power@btinternet.com (Nigel Power Photography LRPS) — Sun, 18 Oct 2026 09:47:23 GMT

]]>Class 70 locomotive no. 70805 of Colas Railfreight exits the Clifton Bridge No. 1 Tunnel during a 'route learner' visit to the Portbury Dock branchline in Bristol. This was on the morning of Saturday 25 August 2018.

Passing the Bus Lane

nigel537power@btinternet.com (Nigel Power Photography LRPS) — Sun, 18 Oct 2026 09:47:33 GMT

]]>A view of the Portbury Dock Branchline at Ashton Gate in Bristol on the morning of Saturday 25 August 2018. Class 70 locomotive no. 70805 of Colas Railfreight heads down the line towards Portbury Dock on the first of two return runs along the branch. I assume this was a 'route learner' duty. The flyover on the left is part of the infrastructure for the new Bristol Metrobus service that commences operating in early September.

Passing through the Gorge

nigel537power@btinternet.com (Nigel Power Photography LRPS) — Sun, 18 Oct 2026 09:48:29 GMT

]]>DB Cargo Class 66 diesel no. 66140 passes through the Avon Gorge and beneath the Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol on the morning of 02 May 2017. The train was 6V51, Arpley Sidings to Portbury Automotive Terminal.

White Van Man

nigel537power@btinternet.com (Nigel Power Photography LRPS) — Sun, 18 Oct 2026 09:48:39 GMT

]]>Class 66 diesel locomotive no. 66126 of DB Cargo forms 6X52, a service from Portbury Automotive Terminal (Bristol) to Mossend Down Yard (Motherwell). It is seen here having just left Portbury at the site of the former Pill station, closed in 1964. The Portbury Dock complex with its large vehicle parks can just be seen on the left, underneath the Avonmouth M5 Motorway bridge.