60046 6Z50 Avoncliff 10/10/22.

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60046 6Z50 Avoncliff 10/10/22.
60046 6Z50 Avoncliff 10/10/22.

*Shot taken using a pole.*

On a stunning autumn day, a very clean DC Rail Freight operated 60046 William Wilberforce is seen disturbing the peace in the Avon Valley as it heads away from Avoncliff with the 6Z50 09:53 Willesden 'F' Sidings to Machen Quarry train of empty aggregate box wagons. This working is expected to switch to operation by Freightliner Heavy Haul later this month.

The train has just passed underneath the Kennet & Avon canal. The building of the railway required the construction of a twin-arch structure to the north of the original aqueduct to allow the canal to continue uninterrupted above. The Great Western Railway (who had absorbed the Wilts, Somerset & Weymouth Railway by the time the 'Bradford Branch' was constructed) had to pay compensation to the canal company for each day that the navigation was unable to be used whilst it was built.

Avoncliff Halt can be found to the rear of the train on the other side of the canal. It features basic but characterful wooden waiting shelters which were of a design that would appear to be unique to this area. The halts at Beanacre, Staverton and Semington also had shelters of a similar design. The structure on the down platform is in its original position but the one on the up platform is a newer and smaller replica structure as the original was destroyed during a storm in the 1980s. This diminutive station, (along with neighbouring Freshford) escaped closure in the 1960s as the narrow local roads meant that the provision of an alternative bus service was impractical. Nearby Limpley Stoke station wasn't so fortunate as being sited adjacent to a main road meant a bus service could easily be substituted.

To the left of the locomotive can be seen the remains of a loading platform. This was formerly a small yard with private siding and crane which was connected by a tramway to Westwood quarry on the other side of the River Avon. Limestone blocks were hauled down the hill, across the Avoncliff aqueduct and then down a ramp to the level of the railway. It was last used in 1936.

10/10/22.

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Taken on: October 10, 2022
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Camera: Canon EOS R5, f/7.1, 1/1600 sec, 35mm, ISO 500 (more info) (hide info)
Camera: Canon EOS R5
Aperture: f/7.1
Exposure Time: 0.001 sec (1/1600)
Focal Length: 35mm
ISO: 500
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: No Flash
Exposure Program: Manual
Exposure Mode: Manual
Metering Mode: Multi-segment
White Balance: Manual
Color Space: sRGB
Software: Digital Photo Professional
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