The Severn Beach line is a local railway line in Bristol and South Gloucestershire, England. It runs from to , and used to extend to . The first sections of the line were opened in 1863 as part of the Bristol Port Railway and Pier; the section through Bristol was opened in 1875 as the Clifton Extension Railway. The line has faced several threats of closure over the years, and has been reduced to single track in many places. In recent years however it has experienced a surge in passenger numbers, with a 90% increase in the years 2007–11. All services along the line are operated by Great Western Railway, generally two trains per hour in each direction between Temple Meads and , calling at all stations, with one train per hour extended to Severn Beach. The line carries little freight traffic, with most of the heavy freight traffic to Avonmouth Docks being routed via the Henbury Loop Line through Filton. The line has been highlighted by Thomas Cook as one of the scenic lines of Europe. Route From , the line heads east, diverging from the Great Western Main Line, Wessex Main Line and Heart of Wessex Line at Bristol East Junction. The line curves to the north, passing under the A4320 and then joining with a chord from the Great Western Main Line at Dr Day's Junction. At this point there are four tracks, but this narrows to two before . Continuing north, the line passes under the old Midland Railway Bristol to Gloucester Line, passes through , then diverges west from the Cross Country Route at Narroways Hill Junction. The line from here is single track, passing through some woodlands and circling the St Werburghs area, passing under the B4052 (Ashley Hill) before reaching . The line then passes over the A38 Cheltenham Road on a viaduct known as "The Arches", before reaching and passing along a straight cutting through Cotham before reaching . This is the line's main passing point, as it is one of the few remaining places with double track. The line then enters the mile-long Clifton Down Tunnel, reappearing in the Avon Gorge. The line follows the river, passing through before heading inland to , past the Portway Park and Ride, under the M5 Avonmouth Bridge and through an industrial estate before reaching . Avonmouth has a passing loop, but is not often