Portbury is out and working today and tomorrow on the penultimate operating weekend of 2016.
Here’s a photo of the harbourside in yesterday’s evening sunshine.
Autumn operating weekends
Reply
Author Archives: corwinb
Museum Square Developments
A couple of photos to show the current extent of development around Museum Square. Traffic has been routed around the back of The Olive Shed and across the new level crossing for some time now. The excavator is digging up the old roadway.
Phase 1 of the Sugar Quay development is finished with residents now moved in, and several shops and cafes have opened along the new footpath that connects the former Mud Dock Deli with Museum Square.
Portbury on the Avon Valley Railway – Photos and Video
Last weekend, Portbury was one of the visiting guest engines at the Avon Valley Railway’s ‘Industrial Roots’ gala. Also in attendance were Manning Wardle ‘Charwelton’ (from the Kent and East Sussex Railway), as well as ‘Austerity’ tank ‘Sapper’ and Polish-built TKh ‘Karel’.
Here are a few pics and vids from various places on the internet. Highlights included goods trains, and a quadruple header at the end of the day!
Adam Ashford captured these photos and video.
YouTube user SDJR7F88 got this smashing video:
Kenny Felstead got this nice snap of Portbury on the climb up to Bitton.
Docks Heritage Weekend
Will Stratford captured these images (posted on the M Shed Working Exhibits Facebook Page) of the Docks Heritage weekend.
and also this timelapse!
With thanks to Will Stratford.
Portbury on tour… again!
Stalwart loco ‘Portbury’ is set to go on a small outing, on the weekend of 15th and 16th October, to the BHR’s neighbours, the Avon Valley Railway at Bitton.
The AVR is hosting its traditional end of season gala, also featuring Polish Ferrum TKh 4015 and Hunslet Austerity WD 132 ‘Sapper’.
Sister loco to Portbury, Avonside No.1798 is based at the Avon Valley and is currently undergoing major restoration.
Here’s a couple of photos of Portbury, snapped by the intrepid George Aldridge a few weeks ago.
Harbour Festival
There’s a party atmosphere in Bristol and some rather big visitors have arrived. It must be time for Harbour Festival 2016!
Portbury will be in operation this weekend on the harbourside so come on down for a train ride.
Welcome back Portbury
An old friend has returned to Bristol, and will be operating this weekend!
Farewell Judy…..
After approximately a year of service on the BHR (and with the expiry of the boiler ticket imminent), Bagnall ‘Judy’ is off back to her home in Cornwall, and Portbury is back from her extended holiday in Beamish!
TBT – The Harbour in 1965
British Pathe’s excellent youtube channel features this clip, of one of the Bristol-based tugs helping the ship VARLA DAN out of the harbour. In the background are plenty of coal wagons in the sidings, this space is now occupied by flats and SS GB Halt. The rails in the foreground were retained and are still visible after the regeneration of this area.
Overhauls and Maintenance
There’s plenty going on at M Shed at the moment. Henbury is in the shed being dismantled for overhaul.
If you are visiting M Shed and would like to make a donation to help Henbury steam again, there is a donation box in front of the viewing window. All donations are welcome!
The TOAD brake van, meanwhile, is outside the workshop receiving new boards and a lick of paint on the door.
Much further down the line, Ashton Avenue Bridge is inside its cocoon, being repaired for use by MetroBus.
Bristol Harbour Railway Blog 