Bristol Harbour Railway - Updates and Goings on

Given Bristol city councils track record on delivering major projects cannot see this happening anytime soon

 

New flood walls on the North side of the New Cut are needed, to avoid Spike island being inundated during tidal surges. But I agree with other posters views - what’s the point in the tramway option? Plus it creates a false historical narrative; the New Cut branch was never a dockside tramway. Consultation on the flood strategy has officially ended, but I suggest if you feel strongly you should still respond, if only to highlight the folly of the tramway idea.

 

In 1979 Richard Cottrell announced plans to build the Avon Metro.

38 years later Bristol managed to get the Bristol Metrobus ....yet another bus service. <BJ>

 

Isn't it just an option with pictures of the Brussel's tram as an example?
The harbour steam railway could pitch it's own option with more running with posible new passenger carriages along the harbour?

 

I’ve always thought that the powers that be missed a trick by eradicating the connection from Temple Meads to the docks via the Redcliffe Tunnel. That could have provided a more central stop for the Portishead line reinstatement behind M-Shed rather than going via Parson Street and Bedminster (no offence to the residents). It would have meant reversing out of Ashton Vale across the Ashton Avenue bridge (which is sadly now a guided busway) and reconfiguring a few houses at the end of Challoner Court with a JCB . However it would have made the city centre accessible within walking distance from a rail link which is the major problem with the Temple Meads location.

 

I have had similar thoughts in the past.

 

Sadly the connection to Temple Meads is lost, although with the demolition of some 1980s housing between Bathurst Basin and the M-Shed a tram line could probably be threaded in. I think the guided busway from Ashton Swing Bridge out to Long Ashton Park & Ride has been designed to allow for its conversion to a tram line at some point in the future, should the opportunity arise. Not holding my breath though!

 

Interestingly the original Metrobus proposal had it using the railway trackbed all the way down the New Cut, under the Cumberland Road bridge, and then behind M Shed. It would have involved relaying the line in a shared formation with the bus route and operationally would have been quite difficult with rail access impossible on weekdays. The then-Mayor George Ferguson was one of the people who spoke out against this and in the end the bus route only nibbled off the end of the line at Butterfly Junction, where it rejoins the road.

Also - I'd forgotten to repost this here, Henbury passed its steam test and moved under her own power for the first time since 2014!
Thanks to Bruce Davies for the pics.

 

Speaking to the flood defence strategy team recently, it appears that the suggestion of converting the New Cut branch to tramway has been dropped.

 

Maybe they saw how much 1 panel of track costs.

 

Bristol Harbour Railway's parent organisation, the M Shed Museum, is celebrating its 10th anniversary this month. As part of the celebrations we’re hosting a free online talk by Paul Stanford, author of the book 50 Years of Railways Around Bristol on 24 June from 7.00pm to 8.15pm. Paul's book featuring the museum's two working locomotives, Portbury and Henbury, will be launched on the same day.

For more information and to register for a free ticket, use the following link:

https://www.bristolmuseums.org.uk/m-shed/whats-on/railways-around-bristol-through-the-eyes-of-a-life-long-worker/

 

Thanks to Bill for publicising my talk - much appreciated. I’m just working on the slides now. Despite the presentation/talk covering the last 50 years - there’s a reasonable amount of steam, in the slide deck including locomotives Henbury and Portbury and their former working location Avonmouth Docks. And a surprising number of other industrial locomotives.

I won’t profit from the talk - I’ve asked Bristol City Museums that the speaker payment is donated to Mates in Mind mental health charity - who will also receive some of the book sale proceeds.
All the best Paul

 

Here's a little video of an event in May where the working exhibits hosted a surprise 'Thank You' to M Shed Curator Andy King upon his retirement.

 

Beautifully edited Corwin.

 

Paul Stanford's book '50 Years of Railways Around Bristol' is now available to buy!

Follow this link to purchase:
https://www.mortonsbooks.co.uk/product/view/productCode/15084


Telling the story of Bristol area railways over the last 50 years, this publication is lavishly illustrated, including many photos taken by rail employees that give a unique insight to railways around Bristol and the surrounding area. Included are well known locations but also railway byways and those serving industrial Avonmouth, now long lost. Also with photographic insights taken at train-care and maintenance depots, industrial plants and within signal boxes in the area; which still exist or have long now disappeared.

The book charts the decline and resurrection of railways around Bristol and its surrounding area, coming right up-to date with latest electrification works, coming from Bristol Area re-signalling in 1970.

Featuring relevant extracts of official rail publications including unique archive material and a unique set of maps over each decade recording the changes to the railways around Bristol to give a unique insight and record of railways around the city and surrounding area where rail was and is key to its success.

 

The usually excellent docks heritage weekend is coming up a week on Saturday. Don't think train rides feature sadly - perhaps it's been too long since they were run and crew competence needs refreshed? https://www.bristolmuseums.org.uk/m-shed/whats-on/docks-heritage-weekend/ Looks like something will be in steam though.

 

That's correct. No train rides at the moment I'm afraid. We're hoping for next spring, but competences need renewing and there's some track work to carry out over the winter.

But next weekend will be a chance to put on something for the public for the first time in 18 months, and remind people we exist. One engine will be in steam on the quayside for cab visits. I think I'm doing that on Saturday and hosting electric crane visits on Sunday (although plans may change). Please come and say hello.

 

Is that saturday 9th? Just to be clear. I'll bring my boy over

 

Yes, it's this weekend, 9th & 10th. Follow the link in Kingscross's post for more info. Hope you can make it.

 

I made a visit today. I thoroughly recommend the event as it was extremely interesting especially as the unseasonal weather played ball. I shall be returning tomorrow with my family.

As an ex Stothert & Pitt apprentice a visit to the cab of the S&P dock crane was not to be missed. A chance is on offer for anyone to take controls of the magnificent beast.

Well done and thank you to all concerned. <BJ>