Rail services in Bristol - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

There are three train operating companies in Bristol: CrossCountry

CrossCountry

CrossCountry is the brand name of XC Trains Ltd., a British train operating company owned by Arriva...

First Great Western

First Great Western is the operating name of First Greater Western Ltd, a British train operating company owned by FirstGroup that serves Greater London, the South East, South West and West Midlands regions of England, and South Wales....

and South West Trains

South West Trains

South West Trains is a British train operating company providing, under franchise, passenger rail services, mostly out of Waterloo station, to the southwest of London in the suburbs and in the counties of Surrey, Hampshire, Dorset, Devon, Somerset, Berkshire, and Wiltshire and on the Isle of Wight...

Services in Bristol

Bristol - Manchester
Plymouth - Edinburgh
Bristol Parkway - Weston-super-Mare
Cardiff - Portsmouth
Gloucester - Westbury/South Coast
Cardiff Central - Taunton
Bristol Temple Meads - Severn Beach
Bristol - London Waterloo
Bristol - London Paddington (via Bath Spa)
Swansea - London Paddington (via Bristol Parkway)

Stations in Bristol

Please note that some of these stations are in South Gloucestershire and North Somerset.

Stations in the Bristol area:

Current stations

Station	Line(s)	Platforms (in Use)	Usage 05/06	Usage 06/07	Usage 07/08	Usage 08/09	Usage 09/10	Operated by	Image
Avonmouth Avonmouth railway station Avonmouth railway station is a railway station serving the suburb of Avonmouth in Bristol, north-west from Bristol Temple Meads on the Severn Beach Line. All trains serving it are operated and the station is managed by First Great Western. The station is managed by First Great Western.Five...	Severn Beach Line Severn Beach Line The Severn Beach Line is a local railway in Bristol, UK. It runs from Narroways Hill Junction to Severn Beach, and is the successor to the Bristol Port Railway and Pier, which ran from a Bristol terminus in the Avon Gorge to a station and pier on the Severn Estuary.Passenger trains run from Bristol...	2	43,365	47,834	44,468	61,948	68,448	First Great Western First Great Western First Great Western is the operating name of First Greater Western Ltd, a British train operating company owned by FirstGroup that serves Greater London, the South East, South West and West Midlands regions of England, and South Wales....
Bedminster Bedminster railway station Bedminster railway station is on the Bristol to Taunton Line and serves the suburb of Bedminster in Bristol, England. It also serves the area of Windmill Hill.-History:The Bristol and Exeter Railway was opened on 14 June 1841...	Bristol to Exeter Line Bristol to Exeter line The Bristol to Exeter line is a major branch of the Great Western Main Line in the southern United Kingdom and runs from Bristol, to Exeter, from where it continues as the Exeter to Plymouth line...	3	40,917	43,379	43,145	58,690	69,898	First Great Western First Great Western First Great Western is the operating name of First Greater Western Ltd, a British train operating company owned by FirstGroup that serves Greater London, the South East, South West and West Midlands regions of England, and South Wales....
Bristol Parkway Bristol Parkway railway station Bristol Parkway railway station is situated in Stoke Gifford in the northern suburbs of Bristol, England. It is part of the British railway system owned by Network Rail, and is managed by First Great Western....	Cross Country Route South Wales Main Line South Wales Main Line The South Wales Main Line , originally known as the London, Bristol and South Wales Direct Railway or simply as the Bristol and South Wales Direct Railway, is a branch of the Great Western Main Line in Great Britain...	3	1,633,280	1,789,848	1,897,941	2,084,200	2,041,548	First Great Western First Great Western First Great Western is the operating name of First Greater Western Ltd, a British train operating company owned by FirstGroup that serves Greater London, the South East, South West and West Midlands regions of England, and South Wales....
Bristol Temple Meads Bristol Temple Meads railway station Bristol Temple Meads railway station is the oldest and largest railway station in Bristol, England. It is an important transport hub for public transport in Bristol, with bus services to various parts of the city and surrounding districts, and a ferry service to the city centre in addition to the...	Bristol to Exeter Line Bristol to Exeter line The Bristol to Exeter line is a major branch of the Great Western Main Line in the southern United Kingdom and runs from Bristol, to Exeter, from where it continues as the Exeter to Plymouth line... Cross Country Route Great Western Main Line Great Western Main Line The Great Western Main Line is a main line railway in Great Britain that runs westwards from London Paddington station to the west of England and South Wales. The core Great Western Main Line runs from London Paddington to Temple Meads railway station in Bristol. A major branch of the Great... Severn Beach Line Severn Beach Line The Severn Beach Line is a local railway in Bristol, UK. It runs from Narroways Hill Junction to Severn Beach, and is the successor to the Bristol Port Railway and Pier, which ran from a Bristol terminus in the Avon Gorge to a station and pier on the Severn Estuary.Passenger trains run from Bristol... Wessex Main Line Wessex Main Line The Wessex Main Line is the railway line from Bristol Temple Meads to Southampton. Diverging from this route is the Heart of Wessex Line from Westbury to Weymouth.- Places served :The places served are listed below.BristolKeynshamOldfield ParkBath... Heart of Wessex Line Heart of Wessex Line The Heart of Wessex Line, also known as the Bristol to Weymouth line, is a United Kingdom railway line that runs from Bristol to Westbury to Weymouth...	13	6,066,239	6,548,859	7,082,098	7,829,628	7,875,686	First Great Western First Great Western First Great Western is the operating name of First Greater Western Ltd, a British train operating company owned by FirstGroup that serves Greater London, the South East, South West and West Midlands regions of England, and South Wales....
Clifton Down Clifton Down railway station Clifton Down railway station is located on Whiteladies Road in Clifton, Bristol, England. The station is west of Bristol Temple Meads on the Severn Beach Line...	Severn Beach Line Severn Beach Line The Severn Beach Line is a local railway in Bristol, UK. It runs from Narroways Hill Junction to Severn Beach, and is the successor to the Bristol Port Railway and Pier, which ran from a Bristol terminus in the Avon Gorge to a station and pier on the Severn Estuary.Passenger trains run from Bristol...	2	153,027	180,656	204,397	281,876	361,828	First Great Western First Great Western First Great Western is the operating name of First Greater Western Ltd, a British train operating company owned by FirstGroup that serves Greater London, the South East, South West and West Midlands regions of England, and South Wales....
Filton Abbey Wood Filton Abbey Wood railway station Filton Abbey Wood railway station, was opened on 11 March 1996, replacing the original Filton station which stands to the north of the current site....	Cross Country Route	3	401,325	410,630	457,611	536,958	598,032	First Great Western First Great Western First Great Western is the operating name of First Greater Western Ltd, a British train operating company owned by FirstGroup that serves Greater London, the South East, South West and West Midlands regions of England, and South Wales....
Lawrence Hill Lawrence Hill railway station Lawrence Hill railway station serves the St. George area of Bristol, England as well as the surrounding suburbs of Easton, Barton Hill, Whitehall and Netham.The station is north of Bristol Temple Meads on the Severn Beach Line and is unmanned....	Cross Country Route Severn Beach Line Severn Beach Line The Severn Beach Line is a local railway in Bristol, UK. It runs from Narroways Hill Junction to Severn Beach, and is the successor to the Bristol Port Railway and Pier, which ran from a Bristol terminus in the Avon Gorge to a station and pier on the Severn Estuary.Passenger trains run from Bristol...	2	55,865	68,371	55,730	67,338	74,876	First Great Western First Great Western First Great Western is the operating name of First Greater Western Ltd, a British train operating company owned by FirstGroup that serves Greater London, the South East, South West and West Midlands regions of England, and South Wales....
Montpelier Montpelier railway station Montpelier railway station is located in Montpelier, Bristol, England. It is a single-platformed station, north-west of Bristol Temple Meads on the Severn Beach Line. The station is managed and the service is operated by First Great Western. It is next to Cromwell Road, Cromwell Road itself is...	Severn Beach Line Severn Beach Line The Severn Beach Line is a local railway in Bristol, UK. It runs from Narroways Hill Junction to Severn Beach, and is the successor to the Bristol Port Railway and Pier, which ran from a Bristol terminus in the Avon Gorge to a station and pier on the Severn Estuary.Passenger trains run from Bristol...	1	73,573	76,969	60,629	84,834	96,114	First Great Western First Great Western First Great Western is the operating name of First Greater Western Ltd, a British train operating company owned by FirstGroup that serves Greater London, the South East, South West and West Midlands regions of England, and South Wales....
Parson Street Parson Street railway station Parson Street railway station serves the western end of Bedminster in Bristol, England. It also serves other surrounding suburbs including Bishopsworth and Ashton Gate, along with Bristol City FC.-History:...	Bristol to Exeter Line Bristol to Exeter line The Bristol to Exeter line is a major branch of the Great Western Main Line in the southern United Kingdom and runs from Bristol, to Exeter, from where it continues as the Exeter to Plymouth line...	2	14,293	19,172	32,511	46,670	57,374	First Great Western First Great Western First Great Western is the operating name of First Greater Western Ltd, a British train operating company owned by FirstGroup that serves Greater London, the South East, South West and West Midlands regions of England, and South Wales....
Patchway Patchway railway station Patchway railway station is a minor railway station located at street level of Station Road in Little Stoke village near the town of Patchway, South Gloucestershire, England...	South Wales Main Line South Wales Main Line The South Wales Main Line , originally known as the London, Bristol and South Wales Direct Railway or simply as the Bristol and South Wales Direct Railway, is a branch of the Great Western Main Line in Great Britain...	2	33,957	42,463	44,929	45,280	49,812	First Great Western First Great Western First Great Western is the operating name of First Greater Western Ltd, a British train operating company owned by FirstGroup that serves Greater London, the South East, South West and West Midlands regions of England, and South Wales....
Redland Redland railway station Redland railway station is a small station on the Severn Beach Line on South Road in Redland, Bristol, England. It was opened 12 years after the line, in April 1897, following a petition by local residents. It lies between Montpelier railway station and Clifton Down railway station. It is a...	Severn Beach Line Severn Beach Line The Severn Beach Line is a local railway in Bristol, UK. It runs from Narroways Hill Junction to Severn Beach, and is the successor to the Bristol Port Railway and Pier, which ran from a Bristol terminus in the Avon Gorge to a station and pier on the Severn Estuary.Passenger trains run from Bristol...	1	55,529	66,852	61,394	86,234	86,426	First Great Western First Great Western First Great Western is the operating name of First Greater Western Ltd, a British train operating company owned by FirstGroup that serves Greater London, the South East, South West and West Midlands regions of England, and South Wales....
Sea Mills Sea Mills railway station Sea Mills railway station serves the Sea Mills area of Bristol, England. The station is located near to the River Avon. This station is north-west from Bristol Temple Meads on the Severn Beach Line...	Severn Beach Line Severn Beach Line The Severn Beach Line is a local railway in Bristol, UK. It runs from Narroways Hill Junction to Severn Beach, and is the successor to the Bristol Port Railway and Pier, which ran from a Bristol terminus in the Avon Gorge to a station and pier on the Severn Estuary.Passenger trains run from Bristol...	1	36,411	40,786	33,222	36,358	41,680	First Great Western First Great Western First Great Western is the operating name of First Greater Western Ltd, a British train operating company owned by FirstGroup that serves Greater London, the South East, South West and West Midlands regions of England, and South Wales....
Shirehampton Shirehampton railway station Shirehampton railway station serves the village of Shirehampton near to the town of Avonmouth, England. This station is north-west from Bristol Temple Meads on the Severn Beach Line...	Severn Beach Line Severn Beach Line The Severn Beach Line is a local railway in Bristol, UK. It runs from Narroways Hill Junction to Severn Beach, and is the successor to the Bristol Port Railway and Pier, which ran from a Bristol terminus in the Avon Gorge to a station and pier on the Severn Estuary.Passenger trains run from Bristol...	1	31,539	38,493	30,893	34,292	35,758	First Great Western First Great Western First Great Western is the operating name of First Greater Western Ltd, a British train operating company owned by FirstGroup that serves Greater London, the South East, South West and West Midlands regions of England, and South Wales....
St Andrews Road St Andrews Road railway station St Andrews Road railway station is located near to St Andrews Road and serves a large industrial area near to Avonmouth. This station and all trains serving it are operated by First Great Western....	Severn Beach Line Severn Beach Line The Severn Beach Line is a local railway in Bristol, UK. It runs from Narroways Hill Junction to Severn Beach, and is the successor to the Bristol Port Railway and Pier, which ran from a Bristol terminus in the Avon Gorge to a station and pier on the Severn Estuary.Passenger trains run from Bristol...	1	8,008	5,518	3,183	3,582	3,942	First Great Western First Great Western First Great Western is the operating name of First Greater Western Ltd, a British train operating company owned by FirstGroup that serves Greater London, the South East, South West and West Midlands regions of England, and South Wales....
Stapleton Road Stapleton Road railway station Stapleton Road railway station lies in the inner city area of Easton, Bristol, England.It is a railway station on the Severn Beach Line; although it is also served by hourly trains between Gloucester and Westbury....	Cross Country Route Severn Beach Line Severn Beach Line The Severn Beach Line is a local railway in Bristol, UK. It runs from Narroways Hill Junction to Severn Beach, and is the successor to the Bristol Port Railway and Pier, which ran from a Bristol terminus in the Avon Gorge to a station and pier on the Severn Estuary.Passenger trains run from Bristol...	2	86,997	98,446	72,182	103,576	111,532	First Great Western First Great Western First Great Western is the operating name of First Greater Western Ltd, a British train operating company owned by FirstGroup that serves Greater London, the South East, South West and West Midlands regions of England, and South Wales....

Possible new stations

Stations that are planned or wanted in the Bristol area.

Station	Line	Platforms
Ashley Hill Ashley Hill railway station Ashley Hill railway station was a railway station serving the area of Ashley Down in the north of Bristol, England. It was located on what is now known as the Filton line...	Cross Country Route	2
Ashton Gate Ashton Gate railway station Ashton Gate railway station was a railway station serving an area of Bristol, England, which included Ashton Gate football ground, the home ground of Bristol City F.C.. It was located on the Portishead Railway.-History:...	Portishead Branch	1
Hallen	Henbury loop line	1 or 2
Henbury	Henbury loop line	1 or 2
Horfield Horfield railway station Horfield railway station was a railway station serving the northern part of Horfield and Lockleaze in the north of Bristol, England. It was located on the main line from Bristol to South Wales. It was served by stopping trains to Severn Beach , Avonmouth and Swindon .-History:The station was...	Cross Country Route	2
North Filton	Henbury loop line	1 or 2
Pill Pill railway station Pill railway station was a railway station near Bristol, England, on the Portishead Railway. It opened in 1867 and closed in 1964. A goods yard just north of the station opened in 1912 and closed in 1963....	Portishead Branch	1
Portbury Portbury railway station Portbury railway station was a railway station serving the village and shipyard of Portbury in Somerset, near Bristol, England. It opened in 1867 and closed in 1962....	Portishead Branch	1
Portishead Portishead railway station Portishead railway station was opened by the Bristol and Portishead Pier and Railway in 1867; it was approximately from the village of Portishead. After the opening of the Pier in 1870, the line was extended with an additional railway station opened by the pier...	Portishead Branch	1
A4 Portway Park & Ride	Severn Beach Line Severn Beach Line The Severn Beach Line is a local railway in Bristol, UK. It runs from Narroways Hill Junction to Severn Beach, and is the successor to the Bristol Port Railway and Pier, which ran from a Bristol terminus in the Avon Gorge to a station and pier on the Severn Estuary.Passenger trains run from Bristol...	1

Disused railway stations

Disused stations within the Bristol area.

Station	Line	Platforms	Image
Ashley Hill Ashley Hill railway station Ashley Hill railway station was a railway station serving the area of Ashley Down in the north of Bristol, England. It was located on what is now known as the Filton line...	Cross Country Route	2
Ashton Gate Ashton Gate railway station Ashton Gate railway station was a railway station serving an area of Bristol, England, which included Ashton Gate football ground, the home ground of Bristol City F.C.. It was located on the Portishead Railway.-History:...	Portishead Railway Portishead Railway The Portishead Railway was a branch line railway running from Portishead in Somerset to the Great Western Main Line in Bristol, England. It was constructed in the 1860s by the Bristol & Portishead Pier and Railway, which was incorporated to build a pier and a broad gauge link to the Bristol and...	1
	Severn Beach Line Severn Beach Line The Severn Beach Line is a local railway in Bristol, UK. It runs from Narroways Hill Junction to Severn Beach, and is the successor to the Bristol Port Railway and Pier, which ran from a Bristol terminus in the Avon Gorge to a station and pier on the Severn Estuary.Passenger trains run from Bristol...
	Severn Beach Line Severn Beach Line The Severn Beach Line is a local railway in Bristol, UK. It runs from Narroways Hill Junction to Severn Beach, and is the successor to the Bristol Port Railway and Pier, which ran from a Bristol terminus in the Avon Gorge to a station and pier on the Severn Estuary.Passenger trains run from Bristol...
	Severn Beach Line Severn Beach Line The Severn Beach Line is a local railway in Bristol, UK. It runs from Narroways Hill Junction to Severn Beach, and is the successor to the Bristol Port Railway and Pier, which ran from a Bristol terminus in the Avon Gorge to a station and pier on the Severn Estuary.Passenger trains run from Bristol...
	Bristol and North Somerset Railway Bristol and North Somerset Railway The Bristol and North Somerset Railway was a railway line in the West of England that connected Bristol with towns in the Somerset coalfield. The line ran almost due south from Bristol and was 16 miles long.-The main railway:...
	Bristol and Gloucester Railway Bristol and Gloucester Railway The Bristol and Gloucester Railway opened in 1844 between Bristol and Gloucester, meeting the Birmingham and Gloucester Railway. It is now part of the main line from the North-East of England through Derby and Birmingham to the South-West.-History:...
Charlton Halt	Henbury Loop Henbury Loop The Henbury Loop is a railway line following the boundary between Bristol and South Gloucestershire between the Severn Beach Line at Holesmouth Junction, Avonmouth and the Cross Country Route/South Wales Main Line at Filton...
	Henbury Loop Henbury Loop The Henbury Loop is a railway line following the boundary between Bristol and South Gloucestershire between the Severn Beach Line at Holesmouth Junction, Avonmouth and the Cross Country Route/South Wales Main Line at Filton...
	Portishead Railway Portishead Railway The Portishead Railway was a branch line railway running from Portishead in Somerset to the Great Western Main Line in Bristol, England. It was constructed in the 1860s by the Bristol & Portishead Pier and Railway, which was incorporated to build a pier and a broad gauge link to the Bristol and...	2
	South Wales Main Line South Wales Main Line The South Wales Main Line , originally known as the London, Bristol and South Wales Direct Railway or simply as the Bristol and South Wales Direct Railway, is a branch of the Great Western Main Line in Great Britain... /Cross Country Route
	Severn Beach Line Severn Beach Line The Severn Beach Line is a local railway in Bristol, UK. It runs from Narroways Hill Junction to Severn Beach, and is the successor to the Bristol Port Railway and Pier, which ran from a Bristol terminus in the Avon Gorge to a station and pier on the Severn Estuary.Passenger trains run from Bristol...
	Cross Country Route
	Cross Country Route
	Bristol and Gloucester Railway Bristol and Gloucester Railway The Bristol and Gloucester Railway opened in 1844 between Bristol and Gloucester, meeting the Birmingham and Gloucester Railway. It is now part of the main line from the North-East of England through Derby and Birmingham to the South-West.-History:...
	Henbury Loop Henbury Loop The Henbury Loop is a railway line following the boundary between Bristol and South Gloucestershire between the Severn Beach Line at Holesmouth Junction, Avonmouth and the Cross Country Route/South Wales Main Line at Filton...	1 or 2
Ham Green Halt Ham Green Halt railway station Ham Green Halt was a railway station near Bristol, England, on the Portishead Railway, opened in 1926 to serve Ham Green Hospital.-History:The station was opened by the Great Western Railway on 23 December 1926....	Portishead Railway Portishead Railway The Portishead Railway was a branch line railway running from Portishead in Somerset to the Great Western Main Line in Bristol, England. It was constructed in the 1860s by the Bristol & Portishead Pier and Railway, which was incorporated to build a pier and a broad gauge link to the Bristol and...	1
Henbury	Henbury Loop Henbury Loop The Henbury Loop is a railway line following the boundary between Bristol and South Gloucestershire between the Severn Beach Line at Holesmouth Junction, Avonmouth and the Cross Country Route/South Wales Main Line at Filton...	1 or 2
Horfield Horfield railway station Horfield railway station was a railway station serving the northern part of Horfield and Lockleaze in the north of Bristol, England. It was located on the main line from Bristol to South Wales. It was served by stopping trains to Severn Beach , Avonmouth and Swindon .-History:The station was...	Cross Country Route	2
	Bristol Port Railway and Pier Bristol Port Railway and Pier The Bristol Port Railway and Pier was a railway in Bristol, England.-Route:...
	Bristol Port Railway and Pier Bristol Port Railway and Pier The Bristol Port Railway and Pier was a railway in Bristol, England.-Route:...
	Mangotsfield Branch Line
	Bristol to Exeter Line Bristol to Exeter line The Bristol to Exeter line is a major branch of the Great Western Main Line in the southern United Kingdom and runs from Bristol, to Exeter, from where it continues as the Exeter to Plymouth line...
	Mangotsfield and Bath Branch Line Mangotsfield and Bath Branch Line The Mangotsfield and Bath Branch Line opened in 1869 to connect Bath to the Midland Railway network at Mangotsfield, on the former Bristol and Gloucester Railway.... /Bristol and Gloucester Railway Bristol and Gloucester Railway The Bristol and Gloucester Railway opened in 1844 between Bristol and Gloucester, meeting the Birmingham and Gloucester Railway. It is now part of the main line from the North-East of England through Derby and Birmingham to the South-West.-History:...
	Severn Beach Line Severn Beach Line The Severn Beach Line is a local railway in Bristol, UK. It runs from Narroways Hill Junction to Severn Beach, and is the successor to the Bristol Port Railway and Pier, which ran from a Bristol terminus in the Avon Gorge to a station and pier on the Severn Estuary.Passenger trains run from Bristol...
	Severn Beach Line Severn Beach Line The Severn Beach Line is a local railway in Bristol, UK. It runs from Narroways Hill Junction to Severn Beach, and is the successor to the Bristol Port Railway and Pier, which ran from a Bristol terminus in the Avon Gorge to a station and pier on the Severn Estuary.Passenger trains run from Bristol...
	Portishead Railway Portishead Railway The Portishead Railway was a branch line railway running from Portishead in Somerset to the Great Western Main Line in Bristol, England. It was constructed in the 1860s by the Bristol & Portishead Pier and Railway, which was incorporated to build a pier and a broad gauge link to the Bristol and...	1
	Henbury Loop Henbury Loop The Henbury Loop is a railway line following the boundary between Bristol and South Gloucestershire between the Severn Beach Line at Holesmouth Junction, Avonmouth and the Cross Country Route/South Wales Main Line at Filton...	1 or 2
Pill Pill railway station Pill railway station was a railway station near Bristol, England, on the Portishead Railway. It opened in 1867 and closed in 1964. A goods yard just north of the station opened in 1912 and closed in 1963....	Portishead Railway Portishead Railway The Portishead Railway was a branch line railway running from Portishead in Somerset to the Great Western Main Line in Bristol, England. It was constructed in the 1860s by the Bristol & Portishead Pier and Railway, which was incorporated to build a pier and a broad gauge link to the Bristol and...	1
Portbury Portbury railway station Portbury railway station was a railway station serving the village and shipyard of Portbury in Somerset, near Bristol, England. It opened in 1867 and closed in 1962....	Portishead Railway Portishead Railway The Portishead Railway was a branch line railway running from Portishead in Somerset to the Great Western Main Line in Bristol, England. It was constructed in the 1860s by the Bristol & Portishead Pier and Railway, which was incorporated to build a pier and a broad gauge link to the Bristol and...	1
Portishead Portishead railway station Portishead railway station was opened by the Bristol and Portishead Pier and Railway in 1867; it was approximately from the village of Portishead. After the opening of the Pier in 1870, the line was extended with an additional railway station opened by the pier...	Portishead Railway Portishead Railway The Portishead Railway was a branch line railway running from Portishead in Somerset to the Great Western Main Line in Bristol, England. It was constructed in the 1860s by the Bristol & Portishead Pier and Railway, which was incorporated to build a pier and a broad gauge link to the Bristol and...	1
	Great Western Main Line Great Western Main Line The Great Western Main Line is a main line railway in Great Britain that runs westwards from London Paddington station to the west of England and South Wales. The core Great Western Main Line runs from London Paddington to Temple Meads railway station in Bristol. A major branch of the Great...
	Great Western Main Line Great Western Main Line The Great Western Main Line is a main line railway in Great Britain that runs westwards from London Paddington station to the west of England and South Wales. The core Great Western Main Line runs from London Paddington to Temple Meads railway station in Bristol. A major branch of the Great...	2
	Bristol and Gloucester Railway Bristol and Gloucester Railway The Bristol and Gloucester Railway opened in 1844 between Bristol and Gloucester, meeting the Birmingham and Gloucester Railway. It is now part of the main line from the North-East of England through Derby and Birmingham to the South-West.-History:...
	Mangotsfield and Bath Branch Line Mangotsfield and Bath Branch Line The Mangotsfield and Bath Branch Line opened in 1869 to connect Bath to the Midland Railway network at Mangotsfield, on the former Bristol and Gloucester Railway....
	Bristol and North Somerset Railway Bristol and North Somerset Railway The Bristol and North Somerset Railway was a railway line in the West of England that connected Bristol with towns in the Somerset coalfield. The line ran almost due south from Bristol and was 16 miles long.-The main railway:...
	South Wales Main Line South Wales Main Line The South Wales Main Line , originally known as the London, Bristol and South Wales Direct Railway or simply as the Bristol and South Wales Direct Railway, is a branch of the Great Western Main Line in Great Britain... /Cross Country Route

Bristol to Exeter Line

The Bristol to Exeter Line runs between Bristol and Exeter

Exeter

Exeter is a historic city in Devon, England. It lies within the ceremonial county of Devon, of which it is the county town as well as the home of Devon County Council. Currently the administrative area has the status of a non-metropolitan district, and is therefore under the administration of the...

via the Nailsea

Nailsea

Nailsea is a town in the unitary authority of North Somerset within the ceremonial county of Somerset, England, approximately to the southwest of Bristol and about to the northeast of the seaside resort of Weston-super-Mare. The nearest village is Backwell, which lies south of Nailsea on the...

, Weston-super-Mare

Weston-super-Mare

Weston-super-Mare is a seaside resort, town and civil parish in the unitary authority of North Somerset, which is within the ceremonial county of Somerset, England. It is located on the Bristol Channel coast, south west of Bristol, spanning the coast between the bounding high ground of Worlebury...

, Bridgwater

Bridgwater

Bridgwater is a market town and civil parish in Somerset, England. It is the administrative centre of the Sedgemoor district, and a major industrial centre. Bridgwater is located on the major communication routes through South West England...

and Taunton

Taunton

Taunton is the county town of Somerset, England. The town, including its suburbs, had an estimated population of 61,400 in 2001. It is the largest town in the shire county of Somerset....

. It is served by local First Great Western services, and used by Cross-Country and Intercity trains headed towards Plymouth

Plymouth

Plymouth is a city and unitary authority area on the coast of Devon, England, about south-west of London. It is built between the mouths of the rivers Plym to the east and Tamar to the west, where they join Plymouth Sound...

Cross-Country Route

The North-East/South-West route (sometimes simply The Cross-Country Route) is the major British rail route running from South West England or Cardiff via Bristol, Birmingham, Derby and Sheffield to North-East England and Scotland. It includes some of the longest inter-city rail journeys in the UK, eg Penzance to Aberdeen) It was also a major freight route, although now largely usurped by the M5, M6 and M1 motorways.

The route shares parts of the Great Western Main Line, Midland Main Line, Sheffield to Hull Line, the East Coast Main Line and the core Cardiff-Bristol-Birmingham-Derby route,

Great Western Main Line

The Great Western Main Line is a main line railway in England that runs westwards from London Paddington station to Temple Meads station in Bristol.

Severn Beach Line

The route runs from Temple Meads to Severn Beach

Severn Beach railway station

Severn Beach railway station serves the village of Severn Beach, England. This is the terminus of the Severn Beach Line.This station is north west from Bristol Temple Meads on the Severn Beach Line...

via Lawrence Hill

Lawrence Hill railway station

Lawrence Hill railway station serves the St. George area of Bristol, England as well as the surrounding suburbs of Easton, Barton Hill, Whitehall and Netham.The station is north of Bristol Temple Meads on the Severn Beach Line and is unmanned....

, Stapleton Road

Stapleton Road railway station

Stapleton Road railway station lies in the inner city area of Easton, Bristol, England.It is a railway station on the Severn Beach Line; although it is also served by hourly trains between Gloucester and Westbury....

, Montpelier

Montpelier railway station

Montpelier railway station is located in Montpelier, Bristol, England. It is a single-platformed station, north-west of Bristol Temple Meads on the Severn Beach Line. The station is managed and the service is operated by First Great Western. It is next to Cromwell Road, Cromwell Road itself is...

, Redland

Redland railway station

Redland railway station is a small station on the Severn Beach Line on South Road in Redland, Bristol, England. It was opened 12 years after the line, in April 1897, following a petition by local residents. It lies between Montpelier railway station and Clifton Down railway station. It is a...

, Clifton Down

Clifton Down railway station

Clifton Down railway station is located on Whiteladies Road in Clifton, Bristol, England. The station is west of Bristol Temple Meads on the Severn Beach Line...

, Sea Mills

Sea Mills railway station

Sea Mills railway station serves the Sea Mills area of Bristol, England. The station is located near to the River Avon. This station is north-west from Bristol Temple Meads on the Severn Beach Line...

, Shirehampton

Shirehampton railway station

Shirehampton railway station serves the village of Shirehampton near to the town of Avonmouth, England. This station is north-west from Bristol Temple Meads on the Severn Beach Line...

, Avonmouth

Avonmouth railway station

Avonmouth railway station is a railway station serving the suburb of Avonmouth in Bristol, north-west from Bristol Temple Meads on the Severn Beach Line. All trains serving it are operated and the station is managed by First Great Western. The station is managed by First Great Western.Five...

, St Andrews Road

St Andrews Road railway station

St Andrews Road railway station is located near to St Andrews Road and serves a large industrial area near to Avonmouth. This station and all trains serving it are operated by First Great Western....

before reaching terminus at Severn Beach

Severn Beach railway station

. The journey takes approximately 45 minutes.

Following a successful campaign by FOSBR (Friends of Suburban Bristol Railway), the Severn Beach Line

Severn Beach Line

The Severn Beach Line is a local railway in Bristol, UK. It runs from Narroways Hill Junction to Severn Beach, and is the successor to the Bristol Port Railway and Pier, which ran from a Bristol terminus in the Avon Gorge to a station and pier on the Severn Estuary.Passenger trains run from Bristol...

is going to have an increased frequency from December 2007 to March 2010 .It is hoped this will pave the way for better services across the conurbation. An additional train will operate on the line meaning services should be at the least every 40 mins.

South Wales Main Line

The South Wales Main Line

South Wales Main Line

The South Wales Main Line , originally known as the London, Bristol and South Wales Direct Railway or simply as the Bristol and South Wales Direct Railway, is a branch of the Great Western Main Line in Great Britain...

is a branch of the Great Western Main Line

Great Western Main Line

The Great Western Main Line is a main line railway in Great Britain that runs westwards from London Paddington station to the west of England and South Wales. The core Great Western Main Line runs from London Paddington to Temple Meads railway station in Bristol. A major branch of the Great...

in the UK

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...

. It diverges from the main line at Wootton Bassett

Wootton Bassett

Royal Wootton Bassett , informally known as Wootton Bassett, is a small market town and civil parish in Wiltshire, England, with a population of 11,043 in 2001...

near Swindon

Swindon

Swindon is a large town within the borough of Swindon and ceremonial county of Wiltshire, in South West England. It is midway between Bristol, west and Reading, east. London is east...

, first calling at Bristol Parkway, after which the line continues through the Severn Tunnel

Severn Tunnel

The Severn Tunnel is a railway tunnel in the United Kingdom, linking South Gloucestershire in the west of England to Monmouthshire in south Wales under the estuary of the River Severn....

into South Wales

South Wales

South Wales is an area of Wales bordered by England and the Bristol Channel to the east and south, and Mid Wales and West Wales to the north and west. The most densely populated region in the south-west of the United Kingdom, it is home to around 2.1 million people and includes the capital city of...

Wessex Main Line

The Wessex Main Line is the railway line from Bristol Temple Meads to Southampton. Diverging from this route is the Heart of Wessex Line from Westbury to Weymouth.

Main destinations

There is usually a direct service from Bristol

Bristol Temple Meads railway station

Bristol Temple Meads railway station is the oldest and largest railway station in Bristol, England. It is an important transport hub for public transport in Bristol, with bus services to various parts of the city and surrounding districts, and a ferry service to the city centre in addition to the...

to these destinations:

Destination	Time from TM	Operator
Bath Spa Bath Spa railway station Bath Spa railway station is the principal railway station in the city of Bath, in South West England.-Architecture:Bath Spa station was built in 1840 for the Great Western Railway by Brunel and is a grade II* listed building...	11 - 17 mins	First Great Western First Great Western First Great Western is the operating name of First Greater Western Ltd, a British train operating company owned by FirstGroup that serves Greater London, the South East, South West and West Midlands regions of England, and South Wales....
Birmingham New Street	86 mins	CrossCountry CrossCountry CrossCountry is the brand name of XC Trains Ltd., a British train operating company owned by Arriva...
Cardiff Central Cardiff Central railway station Cardiff Central railway station is a major railway station on the South Wales Main Line in Cardiff, Wales.It is the largest and busiest station in Wales and one of the major stations of the British rail network, the tenth busiest station in the United Kingdom outside of London , based on 2007/08...	47 - 68 mins	First Great Western First Great Western First Great Western is the operating name of First Greater Western Ltd, a British train operating company owned by FirstGroup that serves Greater London, the South East, South West and West Midlands regions of England, and South Wales....
Gloucester Gloucester Gloucester is a city, district and county town of Gloucestershire in the South West region of England. Gloucester lies close to the Welsh border, and on the River Severn, approximately north-east of Bristol, and south-southwest of Birmingham....	41 - 55 mins	CrossCountry CrossCountry CrossCountry is the brand name of XC Trains Ltd., a British train operating company owned by Arriva... / First Great Western First Great Western First Great Western is the operating name of First Greater Western Ltd, a British train operating company owned by FirstGroup that serves Greater London, the South East, South West and West Midlands regions of England, and South Wales....
Leeds	201 - 227 mins	CrossCountry CrossCountry CrossCountry is the brand name of XC Trains Ltd., a British train operating company owned by Arriva...
London Paddington	96 - 122 mins	First Great Western First Great Western First Great Western is the operating name of First Greater Western Ltd, a British train operating company owned by FirstGroup that serves Greater London, the South East, South West and West Midlands regions of England, and South Wales....
London Waterloo	171 - 178 mins	South West Trains South West Trains South West Trains is a British train operating company providing, under franchise, passenger rail services, mostly out of Waterloo station, to the southwest of London in the suburbs and in the counties of Surrey, Hampshire, Dorset, Devon, Somerset, Berkshire, and Wiltshire and on the Isle of Wight...
Manchester Piccadilly	178 - 180 mins	CrossCountry CrossCountry CrossCountry is the brand name of XC Trains Ltd., a British train operating company owned by Arriva...
Newcastle Newcastle railway station Newcastle railway station , is the mainline station of the city of Newcastle upon Tyne, England and is a principal stop on the East Coast Main Line. It opened in 1850 and is a Grade I listed building...	301 - 317 mins	CrossCountry CrossCountry CrossCountry is the brand name of XC Trains Ltd., a British train operating company owned by Arriva...
Newport	30-41 mins	First Great Western First Great Western First Great Western is the operating name of First Greater Western Ltd, a British train operating company owned by FirstGroup that serves Greater London, the South East, South West and West Midlands regions of England, and South Wales....
Plymouth Plymouth railway station Plymouth railway station serves the city of Plymouth, Devon, England. It is situated on the northern edge of the city centre close to the North Cross roundabout...	120 mins	CrossCountry CrossCountry CrossCountry is the brand name of XC Trains Ltd., a British train operating company owned by Arriva... / First Great Western First Great Western First Great Western is the operating name of First Greater Western Ltd, a British train operating company owned by FirstGroup that serves Greater London, the South East, South West and West Midlands regions of England, and South Wales....
	151 mins	First Great Western First Great Western First Great Western is the operating name of First Greater Western Ltd, a British train operating company owned by FirstGroup that serves Greater London, the South East, South West and West Midlands regions of England, and South Wales....
Reading Reading railway station Reading railway station is a major rail transport hub in the English town of Reading. It is situated on the northern edge of the town centre, close to the main retail and commercial areas, and also the River Thames...	69-74 mins	First Great Western First Great Western First Great Western is the operating name of First Greater Western Ltd, a British train operating company owned by FirstGroup that serves Greater London, the South East, South West and West Midlands regions of England, and South Wales....
Severn Beach Severn Beach railway station Severn Beach railway station serves the village of Severn Beach, England. This is the terminus of the Severn Beach Line.This station is north west from Bristol Temple Meads on the Severn Beach Line...	35-44 mins	First Great Western First Great Western First Great Western is the operating name of First Greater Western Ltd, a British train operating company owned by FirstGroup that serves Greater London, the South East, South West and West Midlands regions of England, and South Wales....
	101 mins	First Great Western First Great Western First Great Western is the operating name of First Greater Western Ltd, a British train operating company owned by FirstGroup that serves Greater London, the South East, South West and West Midlands regions of England, and South Wales....
Swindon Swindon railway station Swindon railway station is in the town of Swindon, Wiltshire, England. The station entrance is on Station Road, to the south of the line.It is approximately from the central bus station and the town centre...	39 mins	First Great Western First Great Western First Great Western is the operating name of First Greater Western Ltd, a British train operating company owned by FirstGroup that serves Greater London, the South East, South West and West Midlands regions of England, and South Wales....
Taunton Taunton railway station Taunton railway station is a junction station on the route from London to Penzance, from London Paddington station. It is situated in Taunton, Somerset, England and is operated by First Great Western...	30-75 mins	CrossCountry CrossCountry CrossCountry is the brand name of XC Trains Ltd., a British train operating company owned by Arriva... / First Great Western First Great Western First Great Western is the operating name of First Greater Western Ltd, a British train operating company owned by FirstGroup that serves Greater London, the South East, South West and West Midlands regions of England, and South Wales....

Current train operators

Operator	Years	Image	Major services
CrossCountry CrossCountry CrossCountry is the brand name of XC Trains Ltd., a British train operating company owned by Arriva...	2007-2016		Bristol to and the south west to and Scotland
First Great Western First Great Western First Great Western is the operating name of First Greater Western Ltd, a British train operating company owned by FirstGroup that serves Greater London, the South East, South West and West Midlands regions of England, and South Wales....	1996-2006 2006-2013		to to and via to to to to and to
South West Trains South West Trains South West Trains is a British train operating company providing, under franchise, passenger rail services, mostly out of Waterloo station, to the southwest of London in the suburbs and in the counties of Surrey, Hampshire, Dorset, Devon, Somerset, Berkshire, and Wiltshire and on the Isle of Wight...	1996-2003 2003-2007 2007-2017		to via

Former train operators

Operator	Years	Image	Services
Post-nationalisation
British Rail British Rail British Railways , which from 1965 traded as British Rail, was the operator of most of the rail transport in Great Britain between 1948 and 1997. It was formed from the nationalisation of the "Big Four" British railway companies and lasted until the gradual privatisation of British Rail, in stages...	1948-1986		All services
Post-sectorisation
InterCity InterCity (British Rail) InterCity was introduced by British Rail in 1966 as a brand-name for its long-haul express passenger services ....	1986-1996		to to and via and the south west to the north and Scotland
Regional Railways Regional Railways Regional Railways was one of the three passenger sectors of British Rail created in 1982 that existed until 1996, 3 years after privatisation. The sector was originally called Provincial....	1986-1996		All non-InterCity services
Post-privatisation
Great Western Trains Great Western Trains Great Western Trains was a UK train company created in the mid 1990s as part of the privatisation of British Rail. It was one of the first two passenger companies to be privatised, passing into private ownership along with South West Trains on 4 February 1996....	1996-1998		to to and via
Virgin CrossCountry	1997-2007		Bristol to and the south west to and Scotland
Wales and Borders Wales and Borders Wales and Borders is the name of a franchise of train services covering Wales, the Welsh Marches and bordering counties of England.-History:The franchise was initially formed from part of the former Wales and West franchise and the Cardiff Railway Company , together with the lines from Shrewsbury...	2001-2003
Wales and West Wales and West Wales & West was a British Train Operating Company that ran services from 1997 to 2001, and was one of the original 25 Train Operating Companies that were set up after the UK Rail Industry was privatised...	1997-2001
Wessex Trains Wessex Trains Wessex Trains was the primary passenger rail operator in the South West of England. The company operated trains in the region bounded by Penzance, Cardiff, Gloucester, Worcester and Brighton...	2001-2006		All local and non-express inter-city services.

There have also been a number of other companies pre-nationalisation, including:

Great Western Railway
Great Western Railway
The Great Western Railway was a British railway company that linked London with the south-west and west of England and most of Wales. It was founded in 1833, received its enabling Act of Parliament in 1835 and ran its first trains in 1838...
Midland Railway
Midland Railway
The Midland Railway was a railway company in the United Kingdom from 1844 to 1922, when it became part of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway....
Bristol and Gloucester Railway
Bristol and Gloucester Railway
The Bristol and Gloucester Railway opened in 1844 between Bristol and Gloucester, meeting the Birmingham and Gloucester Railway. It is now part of the main line from the North-East of England through Derby and Birmingham to the South-West.-History:...
Birmingham and Bristol Railway
Birmingham and Bristol Railway
The Birmingham and Bristol Railway was a short-lived railway company, formed in 1845 by the merger of the Birmingham and Gloucester Railway and the Bristol and Gloucester Railway.-Origin:...
Bristol Port Railway and Pier
Bristol Port Railway and Pier
The Bristol Port Railway and Pier was a railway in Bristol, England.-Route:...
Bristol and North Somerset Railway
Bristol and North Somerset Railway
The Bristol and North Somerset Railway was a railway line in the West of England that connected Bristol with towns in the Somerset coalfield. The line ran almost due south from Bristol and was 16 miles long.-The main railway:...
Portishead Railway
Portishead Railway
The Portishead Railway was a branch line railway running from Portishead in Somerset to the Great Western Main Line in Bristol, England. It was constructed in the 1860s by the Bristol & Portishead Pier and Railway, which was incorporated to build a pier and a broad gauge link to the Bristol and...

External links

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