With an early winter snowfall Peak Class 45051 found itself in difficulty with the Manchester - Plymouth service, refurbished 50 50047 'Swiftsure' provided assistance, the pair are seen passing the site of Ashley Down station as they drop down Filton Bank on the approach to Bristol. 12/12/81. 3 Years later (in 1984) the 2 tracks furthest the camera were removed in a track rationalisation scheme and during the late 90's the local councils were proposing their reinstatement for metro purposes, unfortunately Bristol and South Gloucestershire councils could not agree on the final destination of the line and the proposals came to nothing, it is understood Network Rail is now considering reinstatement of one (possibly 2) tracks to ease the congestion due to a surfeit of services using 3 car units. (Why not use 6 coaches and alleviate overcrowding that way?) . ©www.railphotoprints.co.uk - John Chalcraft