I have read somewhere (I think it must have been in Wikipedia) that, prior to rationalisation, Severn Tunnel Junction station had been equipped with five platforms, comprising four through platforms and a terminal bay. However, looking at photographs, it appears to me that there may in fact have been two bays - one at each end of the centre island platform. Were there one or two, and what would they have been used for?
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Severn Tunnel Junction
- Thread starter euryalus
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krus_aragon
Established Member
The eastern bay was used for terminating services from the Wye Valley. I have no knowledge of a western bay, and neither can I think of any obvious uses for one offhand.
Mvann
Member
I'll have to go back and check, but, I think there was a shuttle at some stage for taking cars from one side of the tunnel to the other.
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krus_aragon
Established Member
That would again be at the eastern end, of course.
Google Earth shows an unexplained feature at the west end of the island platform which looks like the remains of an abandoned "cut-away" bay; perhaps a western bay was planned but never constructed? It looks as if Wikipedia was right in its claim that there were four through platforms and just one bay.
I don't remember seeing any western bay but I may simply be too young, as my memories only really start at around 1970 or 1971 and it may have gone by then.
As a child I was very interested in Severn Tunnel Junction because of the yards. In those days there was a lot of variety there, although I didn't know what every locomotive was at the time!
As a child I was very interested in Severn Tunnel Junction because of the yards. In those days there was a lot of variety there, although I didn't know what every locomotive was at the time!
PointsWest
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During STJ's heyday there where 3 bay roads in place.
However only one, the aforementioned bay at the east end of the island platform was for passenger use, essentially the Wye Valley service.
The other bay roads were at both ends of [and behind] what was platform 1, the recently reopened platform 4.
The east end bay being the loading bay for the car transporters to Pilning via the tunnel whilst the bay at the west end lead to cattle docks. This bay was in situ until the closure of the yards at STJ and was the stabling point for the Severn Tunnel rescue train for many years.
However only one, the aforementioned bay at the east end of the island platform was for passenger use, essentially the Wye Valley service.
The other bay roads were at both ends of [and behind] what was platform 1, the recently reopened platform 4.
The east end bay being the loading bay for the car transporters to Pilning via the tunnel whilst the bay at the west end lead to cattle docks. This bay was in situ until the closure of the yards at STJ and was the stabling point for the Severn Tunnel rescue train for many years.
krus_aragon
Established Member
Thank you for filling in the gaps of our knowledge.
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