Avon Valley Railway Updates and Videos

I got my fundraising appeal leaflet with the latest copy of semaphore in the post today. As there is a family connection, I will, of course, be contributing.

 

I'd dearly love to get the two surviving Avonmouth Avonsides (Portbury and ICL No.2) together for their centenary in 1917-1918.

 

The Avonside appeal has begun with the creation of THE AVONSIDE 1798 CLUB!

Click here for the official page, and a download link to a PDF of the brochure. There's lots of work to be done, but it is achievable and would be great to get another home fleet loco back in steam.

http://www.avonvalleyrailway.org/avonside

It's a long time since it made it's first journey to Bitton, but with your help our Bristol-built loco can steam again

 

Well, what a great gala!
I'm editing the video footage at the moment, so here's a taster, showing No.15 making a hell of a noise on the climb up to Bitton Station.


Here's a few photos from the event



47406 banking 4270, not many lines do this as far as I'm aware, the fact it's next to the cycle track and you can watch it up close is really nice.




47406 was used to drag 'Littleton No.5' and 'Edwin Hulse' out of the workshop for public viewing. No.5 is in the process of being de-tubed to allow a light boiler inspection to take place. The decision can then be made whether to overhaul 7151 or No.5 first. I do have a soft spot for No.5 as it was the first loco I ever travelled behind on the line.









There's a full photo album on facebook at the following link:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.334431670072157.1073741839.118668068315186&type=1
(you do not need facebook to view the photos)

More video to come...

 

Some great photos there, here's my video from the event on Sunday!



Here are some of my photos.


4270 departing Bitton with the first goods train of the day.


47406 awaits the arrival of a passenger train at Oldland Common with the goods train.


4270 creeping up on some cyclists heading for Avon Riverside.


A cyclist trying to keep up with 4270 shortly after departing Avon Riverside.


47406 & 15 head for Oldland Common with one of the last trains of the gala, while L150 watches on waiting to go on shed.

 

I haven't visited the Avon Valley line, even though I've spent many a week in Bath on work. Looks like I'll have to pay another visit soon.....

 

There's a very nice view at the Riverside end of the line. It's from the west side looking across the field to the
railway as the train crosses the River Avon. Later in the day the opposite side is very good for silhouettes. <BJ>

 

My footage from the Sunday of the 'End of Season Gala'.



And a photo to go with...

 

Gorgeous shots Kristian!

 

Ta very much

 

Hmm, I've never visited the railway before, I think I ought to pop along next time they have a gala, looks pretty good. Nice pics an videos by everyone so far, especially that big green tank engine, I'm sure I recognise it...

 

Well 4270 has now departed Bitton to go back home, so you should see it very soon!
At the same time, BR Class 31 No.31 101 has arrived at the railway. It's in good condition and only needs a few more jobs doing including the steam heating boiler.

That means the AVR now has a nice set of diesel couples:
2 x DMU cars
2 x Barclay shunters ('Grumpy' and 'Kingswood')
2 x Ruston shunters (LSSH 'River Annan' and BR 07 'Grandma')
2 x Class 31 (31 130 'Calder Hall Power Station' and 31 101)

 

I think it might be going straight to the MHR for their gala, not sure. I suppose I'll HAVE to make do with either 7820 or 8274 chuffing past, or maybe 2807 is back from her hols...

 

Here's a few pics of 31 101's arrival.

https://twitter.com/AVRbitton/status/524665405676482560/photo/1
https://twitter.com/AVRbitton/statu...aign=AVRbitton&utm_content=524665268690497536

 

Here's the highlights video from the AVR End of Season Gala

 

Spent a few hours down at the line today to see L150 on service trains and 47406 running a demonstration goods train! Hoping to make the trip over again next Sunday for a ride behind both engines! Here's my video from today and an image or two.




47406 heads towards Oldland Common with the goods train.


47406 stands at Avon Riverside prior to heading up the bank to Bitton.


L150 passes 47406 at Bitton with a service train bound for Oldland Common.

 

Nice! The vans do need a brush down I think, the green is starting to spread! They do look very tidy underneath

 

It really is at the Gloucester Warwickshire Railway now.

I saw 4270 at the MHR on Tuesday being transfered to Alresford for collection by road. GWR 0-4-2T 1450 was also in the mini convoy. <BJ>

 

I understand that Jinty 47406 will run at the AVR for the last time this weekend.

Friday, 31/10. Service trains and evening photo shoot.

Saturday, 1/11. Driver Experience course and evening Murder Mystery.

Sunday, 2/11. Service trains.

<BJ>

 

The Saturday DE course and Murder Mystery trains will now be hauled by GWR/LT No. L.150.
Both L.150 and 47406 are expected to haul passenger trains tomorrow 2/11. <BJ>