Bristol Harbour Railway - Updates and Goings on

Why?

 

Using the former quay line, tourist attraction

 

It was discussed to death a couple of years ago /www.national-preservation.com/threads/weymouth-quay-heritage-campaign.636361/ - it made no sense then and it makes no sense now. A classic WIBN!
Ray.

 

With many thanks to Tim V for the excellent photographs, here's a blog post I put up this morning looking back at the Bristol Harbour Railway in 1978/1979.

Click the link for more:
https://bristolharbourrailway.co.uk/2018/09/14/the-bhr-in-1978-1979/

 

how is the overhaul of Henbury going would be nice to see here in her Avonmouth docks livery ie red white stripes on bufferbeam and S9 on the cabside with a sentinel shunter you could stage a Avonmouth docks lineup now that would be something different to do.

 

Henbury's undergoing her most comprehensive overhaul since she was in industrial service, it is motoring along but there is a lot to do. Here's a pic of the underside of the tank.

A lot of work has been done to the horn guides and axle boxes, among other things.
As I've not lifted a finger to help I haven't asked about liveries Will wait and see. Although I too would like to see the S9 livery!

 

Any idea when the line might get reopened beyond Vauxhall Bridge? I'm looking forward to seeing trains back at the bonded warehouses. If it doesn't happen soon though, Marvin will build a load of houses there!

 

Probably end up being the new site for the arena...

 

Nah, it's still in Bristol.

I don't know if you've noticed, but Marvin is cunningly pushing things off his desk whilst still claiming them as his, so he can blame the inevitable failure on the Tories. So the Arena isn't going to be at Temple Meads any more - it's been pushed out to South Gloucs. He keeps trumpeting about building an underground system - when responsibility for regional transport belongs to the Metro Mayor, not Marvin.

 

And there was I thinking you were referring to





Not the Mayor..................

 

Hello, sorry I missed this. I can't speak for Bristol City Council and M Shed Museum (who own the land) but I have seen contractors inspecting the subsidence along the New Cut when I've driven past. Personally I hope they can fix it and allow the trains to refer to the bonded warehouses, too.

What I can report on, though, is the completion of the Sulphuric Acid Tanker's restoration. Here it is looking rather lovely in the winter sunlight! Photo is thanks to Jonathan and Bob Edwardes.
This tanker was looking rather tired in recent years so it's great to see it refreshed. Large portions of metal have been replaced on the underside, so it should see it through for many years to come.


In addition to this, the ex-PBA flat wagon (itself converted from a tanker) No. 31568 has undergone a repaint and is shown here coupled to the WD tanker.


It's currently carrying the hood for the GWR 'Starfish' Ballast Wagon, because that is now in the running shed also getting repainted.


It's all go down in Bristol!

 

The Starfish will be finished in the next week or so and the wagon to follow it through the works has been identified.

 

"starfish" is a BR telegraphic name, not a GWR telegraphic name. It is a Ballast wagon. Why the VCT use the BR name is beyond me.

 

Hi all,

I notice dates aren't up yet for the operating dates this year. Anyone know when it runs in February (if at all) and if not, is there much to see on a non-operating day? I'm working in Bristol over half-term week but should have a bit of time off so drop in.

 

I think you mean this guy...



Not the modern imposter.......

 

If it's not operating you can have a good look at all the stock outside, and inside M Shed there is also a window into the "running shed" area.

 

Hi Charles

The dates for 2019 haven't been made public yet but the railway will be operating in February. I can check the actual dates next Friday and let you know.

On a non-operating day there's plenty to see in the museum, but the railway exhibits are only a small part. The operational railway equipment can only be glimpsed, rather awkwardly, through a large window. Your best bet on a non-operating day is a 'behind the scenes tour', details here:

https://www.bristolmuseums.org.uk/m-shed/whats-on/behind-the-scenes-tours/

They happen most days and there's an amazing collection of stuff in storage, a lot of it railway-related.

 

Thanks for the info guys, much appreciated!

 

Thanks Bill for the information, and Nick for the clarification - I'd assumed 'Starfish' was a GW classification as it followed the aquatic animals theme! But I assume BR carried this theme over and expanded it?

I popped into the running shed on my way to work this morning and Bob was signwriting the ballast wagon.
Blog post here:
https://bristolharbourrailway.co.uk/2019/01/29/gw-ballast-wagon-restoration/

 

The boat trips are also very good - the Pyronaut in particular.