Before the Beeching axe sliced it from the UK’s railway map, this former Midland Railway line was once a link between the Midlands and the Somerset and Dorset Railway at Bath Green Park. Now, for the first time since 1964, the line will once again see the familiar sight of a Fowler 7F hauling trains through Bitton station.Fowler 7F No. 53809 will be arriving at Bitton on either Wednesday 17th or Thursday 18th October from the North Yorkshire Moors Railway and is scheduled to run on the following days:

20th October (Saturday) - DRIVER EXPERIENCE COURSE hauling a freight train. £375 per person (Three spaces remaining)
21st October (Sunday) - STANDARD STEAM DAY
23rd October (Tuesday) - STANDARD STEAM DAY
23rd October (Tuesday) - EVENING ‘SPONSORS’ DINING TRAIN – SOLD OUT
24th October (Wedensday) - STANDARD STEAM DAY
25th October (Thursday) - STANDARD STEAM DAY
25th October (Thursday) - EVENING 'PIE & PINT' SPECIAL TRAIN - £10 per person. Advance booking only.
27th October (Saturday) - DRIVER EXPERIENCE COURSE hauling a freight train. £375 per person (One space remaining)
28th October (Sunday) - END OF SEASON GALA

A photographic evening, which was provisionally planned for Wednesday 24th October, has been cancelled to enable the AVR to concentrate on the other activities.The Gala on Sunday will be the last opportunity to see and ride behind 53809 before she departs from Bitton, and will be a fitting finale for this memorable occasion. Although the timetable is still being finalised the AVR is planning a number of special activities including:

'Up' and 'Down' PINES EXPRESS non stop through Bitton.

A number of 'Westerleigh Freights' recreating the services 53809 would have operated during BR days.

'Last trip before withdrawal' - 53809 plus brake van as final movement of the day.

Recreating the 'Radstock Banker' for some of the freight trains from Avon Riverside to Bitton

Double and possibly triple headed services.

At least three, possibly four, engines in steam. D2994 (the class 07 Southampton Docks diesel shunter) may also be in use.

The cost of the Gala Ticket is £8.50 for adults, £7.50 for over 60s and £5.50 for children aged 3-16. There is a 50p discount for advance booking by calling our booking office on 0117 9325538.The AVR has commissioned a limited edition print of 53809 hauling a freight through Bitton station in the snow, and also A5 greeting cards of the same design. The price for the limited edition print is £49.50 unframed/£125 framed) and £1.45 for the greetings cards which are individually wrapped, complete with envelopes. Proceeds from the sale of these items will go towards the £5,500 transport bill to bring the locomotive to Bitton.For further information, or to book tickets or purchase prints and greetings cards, please call the Avon Valley Railway’s Booking Office on 0117 932 5538.