Popular South Bristol station reaches 90th birthday

Parson Street station has celebrated its 90th anniversary with a special, free family event on Sunday 3 September.

Visitors were able to see the Torbay Express steam train pass through the station at 09:20, and watch the unveiling of a special commemorative plaque about the station’s history.

The original station opened in 1927 with just two wooden platforms to serve the growing suburban expansion of the city but had to be enlarged in the 1930s to cope with increased numbers of passengers.

GWR Station Manager for Parson Street John Lanchester, said:

“GWR recognise the valuable role that rail plays both in the local and national economy, and I am delighted to be here today to celebrate a massive milestone.

“Over 2,500 journeys a week are made to and from this station, and as that number continues to grow we will continue to invest in the railway, providing more trains and services to meet growing demand.”

Visitors were entertained by 1920’s music and the opportunity to purchase a special station 90th anniversary memento.

At one stage in its history passengers would use Parson Street station to change for services to Portishead. Although the number of travellers dropped during the second half of the twentieth century, nowadays Parson Street Station has become increasingly popular as a gateway to south Bristol and beyond.

The 90th anniversary event was hosted by the Friends of Parson Street Railway Station (FoPSRS).

Notes to editors

Great Western Railway (GWR) provides high speed, commuter, regional and branch line train services. We help over 100 million passengers reach their destinations every year - across South Wales, the West Country, the Cotswolds, and large parts of Southern England.