Bridgnorth Turntable
The turntable
The turntable is a Ransom Rapier 65'3" standard-pattern over-girder turntable, one of two originally installed at Bristol (Bath Road) depot. Following the end of steam in 1960 the depot retained one turntable which was later used to turn road vehicles on the cramped site. Bath Road closed in 1995.
Removal and storage
It was removed from the closed depot on 2 April 1998 for eventual installation at Bridgnorth. This film shows the turntable's removal from Bristol and Transport to Eardington.
The turntable remains in store at Eardington in the station yard. The now-defunct SVRSevern Valley Railway South Eastern Branch had in the past conducted some maintenance to prevent further deterioration.
Planned relocation to Bridgnorth
It is planned to be installed as part of the second stage in the Bridgnorth Development Project. In July 2017 The Severn Valley Railway Charitable Trust Ltd had raised about £38,307 for the development, around a half of it as restricted gifts for the turntable.
Access and future use
Planned access would require two reversals, speculating its future use is unlikely to involve regular turning of locomotives between trains.
