Bristol Bath Road started life as a works from the Bristol & Exeter Railway later becoming a major steam shed for the GWR. In turn that changed to the base for locomotive hauled services in the diesel era. In addition it serviced DMUs and the Blue Pullman sets on the WR.

Over the years it gave employment to hundreds perhaps thousands of men and latterly women and in a huge variety of roles from foreman to fitters, footplate staff, other artisans, cleaners and office staff. Latterly train crews including guards and conductors were also based here.

Lynne Davies and Roy Kethro have gathered together over 100 stories from those staff associated with the depot and in a variety of grades in both the steam and diesel eras. These stories relate both the operational life of the railway and also the human aspect. In many ways they probably mirror the same scenarios as occurred at hundreds of large depots up and down the country except that is for one thing – this is the first time such an account has been compiled for Bristol.

‘Bristol Bath Road Recollections from a Depot’s Lifeblood’ is a unique slice of history.