Bath Road Round the Clock
On Friday
26th May 1995, Bristol Bath Road diesel depot officially closed its doors,
bringing to an end over thirty years’ operation as one of the Western
Region’s most famous modern traction sheds. This video captures two
days and one night in the life of Bath Road during its last
days of full operation, when the depot had responsibility for the
maintenance of Cross Country, Res & EPS locomotives and Great
Western HST power cars. Every aspect of the depot’s operation is
detailed, from the mechanical tasks of the team of fitters to the
activities of the managerial and administration staff. Here’s a
selection of what went on...
POWER UNIT REMOVAL from HST power car 43016. TRACTION MOTOR
BLOWER removal from newly-refurbished 37604. UNDERFRAME CLEANING is
reputedly the filthiest job of all, and you can see why! LOAD BANK
TESTING
most people have heard of it but few have seen it happen. All is
revealed as 47806 is given a thorough work-out. THE NIGHT SHIFT race
against time to service Res 47s as they arrive off the Night Mails. LOCO
LIFT as 47818 goes ‘on the jacks’ for an underframe
inspection. LOCOMOTIVE RECORDS are explained by
the depot’s Technical Clerk.
There’s also a cab-ride through the depot for a rare view of the
trackwork (including the turntable!) and an end-to-end overhead view of
the Heavy Lift Shop. The programme concludes with historic scenes from
the depot’s final day with the naming of 47816 Bristol Bath Road.
"It seems sad to think that this programme is
now an epitaph to a famous facility." RAILWAY MAGAZINE
