Modern Britain

Known as the Bristol Harbour Line, this goods extension from Bristol Temple Meads ran for a length of 1.13 km to Wapping Wharf and the harbour sidings, 3.31 km to Ashton Vale Junction, and about 4.15 km to Canon's Marsh. The line was built in 1872 by the Great Western Railway to connect the goods yard at Temple Meads to Princes Wharf and then later Wapping Wharf. In 1906, the Harbour Rail Extension saw the line reach the north bank of the Floating Harbour waterway and double back to a major goods yard at Canons Marsh. The line remained in use until 1987, by which time the harbour was on its last legs. Closure followed, and much of the line was ripped up in the 1990s as the area was slowly redeveloped. There are still traces of it though, mostly embedded in cobbled paths.

Four photos on this page contributed by Nick Booker, three by Aztec West, and one by Paul Townsend, reproduced with permission. Additional information by Nick Booker and Aztec West.