Bristol Harbour Railway - Updates and Goings on

Now I never knew that had taken place. Quite a run for a tank engine built for shunting.

 

Yes it was quite an undertaking, and the novelty of driving straight onto, and off of, the lowloader as the two locations are so close!

 

It's a great attraction; certainly one of the reasons my wife and I visit Bristol.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

I drove down Cumberland Road on Wedesday and saw the crane lifting out sleepers

Patrick

 

Was it near the overbridge? I saw Chris and Dave there on my way to work in the morning, then on my way back home, the well wagon was in the siding loaded up with old sleepers, chairs and rail. The siding had become a bit of an overgrown dumping ground for old track components (and two wheelsets) of late. A lot of the undergrowth has been stripped back too.
Here's what it looked like last year:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/50022anson/9728004508/

Here's the well wagon loaded up.


Don't forget, this weekend is an operating weekend, I'll be down there Saturday morning and possibly Sunday. Portbury will be in service.

 

Yes, it was (from Cumberland basin end) before you get to the footbridge

 

Lovely day today, the sun broke through the morning's gloom. Portbury, Mayflower and the Steam Crane are all in action again tomorrow.



Final shot shows the first layer of top coat going on the van

 

A few more instagram pics up on the blog. Was a lovely weekend.
http://bristolharbourrailway.co.uk/2014/09/15/september-sun/

 

I noticed that Portbury is being offered for hire next year according to Steam Railway. Doesn't bode well for a steam service on the docks with Henbury out of ticket.

 

I would imagine it will depend on the length of any hires that come up.
If the branch is indeed taken out of action and we are reduced to M Shed - SS GB, then the number of active weekends may drop, so it could end up being bank holidays and special events only.
It would be nice to allow her to stretch her legs a bit, and earning a few quid for the next overhaul surely wouldn't be a bad thing!

 

A trip to the AVR would be nice.

 

Well her near-identical sister engine is there too. Would be nice to get them together for their centenary...

 

Yes, that's why I suggested it. I hope the appeal fund for the ISC Ltd engine is going well.

 

As far as I know there is a fundraising launch planned for the AVR 1940s event at the end of the month

 

M Shed and it's railway got a feature in this month's Heritage Railway Magazine along with some cracking photos. Take a look!
http://bristolharbourrailway.co.uk/2014/09/26/bhr-in-heritage-railway-magazine/

 

As mentioned on the AVR thread, the appeal to finish the restoration of ISC No.2 has started, I popped a couple of pics on the BHR blog as the loco is so similar to Portbury and the other Avonmouth Avonsides
http://bristolharbourrailway.co.uk/2014/10/01/portburys-twin-needs-your-help/

 

The MOGO is looking good, almost ready for Docks Heritage Weekend...

http://bristolharbourrailway.co.uk/2014/10/02/mogo-van-restoration-6/

 

A couple of pics from today. The Steam Crane, Tug 'John King' and two electric cranes all in operation, with 'Portbury' in light steam on the quayside.

Crane 30 was doing loading/unloading demonstrations with the museum volunteers, from the MOGO, to the Bristol 8-wheel truck, to the flat wagons (Which were also shunted up and down the quayside using the electric capstan - the first time this piece of equipment has been used since the museum reopened).

To add to all this, there were also character pieces from Show of Strength Theatre Company actors in costume! My friends and I took the AEC Matador Timber Tractor to display at the entrance but sadly cannot make it on Sunday.

It's all on again tomorrow so pop down if you can!


AEC standing guard


Portbury simmering away, visitors can take a look around the cab


Freshly painted MOGO


Co-ordinating loading


Twin crane action


Preparing the capstan


The gorgeous Bristol lorry

 

I made a small video showing the electric capstan in use shunting wagons on Saturday, enjoy!

 

Corbs, your blog is excellent. But it would be great to know what's going on at the BHR in advance as well as seeing your excellent photo reports. I live in Hotwells within whistling distance and never find out until it's too late!