Rail campaigners in Bristol plan to meet at Temple Meads station on Friday 31 March 2006 to highlight their love for their local railways.

The event will also mark the start of the new Great Western franchise on 1 April.

Friends of Suburban Bristol Railways invite rail enthusiasts and campaigners to meet on platform 5 at Temple Meads station on Friday 31 March 2006 from 15.15 to 16.31 to mark the train operator's takeover of the franchise.

"We want this to be a chance to have fun and are delighted to announce that Isambard Kingdom Brunel, and other eminent Victorians, will join us," said Julie Boston of Friends of Bristol Suburban Railways.

Also invited are Councillor Dennis Brown, the two rail unions, RMT and ASLEF, Severnside Rail Community Partnership, Reclaim the Buses, Friends of St Ives Branch Line, Bristol poets and all other passengers.

There will be a vox pop session for passengers to tell us why they need the railway and a chance to see our map of Bristol’'s extensive under-used rail infrastructure and our Great Book of pictures, poems and extensive press coverage.

Victorian ginger snaps and real lemonade (if Temple Meads Station provides tap water!) will be provided.

At 16.31 the campaigners will take the train to Clifton Down station for a photographs at 1644. This will be followed by visit to Café Gusto,

Train operator First says it is "delighted" to have been chosen to run the new franchise which combines the existing First Great Western, First Great Western Link and Wessex Trains franchises.

"We have the experience, drive and proven track record to transform travel for the Greater Western region, setting new standards for customer service," its says.

"We want you to share in our enthusiasm. The views of customers, stakeholders and staff are vital to us and we want you to be able to talk to us as we prepare for the start of the new franchise."

For a map of the franchise area, see franchise map

Information from from Julie Boston severnbeach at hotmail.co.uk