Last Operating Weekend of 2024

Posted on October 26, 2024 by corwinb

Tomorrow is the last day of passenger services on the BHR this year. This morning there was quite a bit of shunting to do to put the Toad back on the train after fulfilling its ‘waiting room’ duties for Have-A-Go week. Similarly the BD and red flat wagon were put back into the yard having been used to limit the area of quayside Henbury could shunt up and down on.

It was also David’s final day as a driver on passenger trains. David’s been a key part of the preserved railway on the docks since the very beginning in 1978.

A few more pics from the day – thanks to Jay Parker and Katie Richards for some of these.

A big shunt also took place at the end of the day to release the sulphuric acid tanker, which is getting some TLC over winter. Henbury had to pull most of the stock out of the back road and towards the shed before propelling it into the middle road. Thanks to Katie for these photos.

Docks Heritage Weekend 2024

Posted on October 19, 2024 by corwinb

One of my favourite events of the year, DOCKS HERITAGE WEEKEND took place over 28th and 29th September.
This event featured our friends at the Show of Strength Theatre Company once again, this time with a new storyline (featuring George and Sheila of course) with more jeopardy and a longer run time (and some singing!).
Sheila’s ordered a new television on hire-purchase, but she’s not told George about it! Will he find out?
John King was on duty giving rides around the harbour, 2 cranes were working (one for visitors and one loading the lorry), the capstan was in operation again and Henbury was in steam for cab visits. Saturday also featured live performances from the choir in L Shed.

Thanks to Katie Richards and Bob Edwardes for these photos.

66045 at the Talyllyn

Posted on September 4, 2024 by corwinb

Ex-PBA wagon and former BHR resident, 4-wheel open No. 66045, is now the property of the Talyllyn Railway and will be on display at Tywyn Wharf station.
The wagon has been cosmetically restored in Cambrian Railways livery and will be on a short piece of standard gauge track to show how slate was transhipped from the narrow gauge trucks.
Thanks to Luke Ryan for the photo

See more about this ex-Bristolian wagon in the video:

Henbury and Horticulture

Posted on August 31, 2024 by corwinb

A few atmospheric shots from the bank holiday weekend.

Meanwhile, work on the branch has started with a view to running passenger trains once more. The Coles Crane was set to work with a runner wagon to assist with cutting back the hedges on the bridge curve.
Thanks to Katie Richards for the photos.

Friday Shunting

Posted on August 24, 2024 by corwinb

Trains are running every day this bank holiday weekend, but on Friday an unusual shunting move took place to retrieve one of the flat wagons from the headshunt at SS Great Britain Halt.
Alex was on hand to capture these shots.

Harbour Festival 2024

Posted on August 4, 2024 by corwinb

A few photos from this year’s Harbour Festival (20th/21st July). We survived another year with lots of volunteers working together to deliver the boat and train service. Pyronaut, still fresh from overhaul, did its part in the displays showing off its pumping ability, with stalwart John King providing passenger trips. The steam launches were a personal highlight. Mixed weather didn’t appear to put too many people off as can be seen from the crowded quayside!
Thankfully on these occasions extra volunteers are deployed for crowd safety.
Thanks to Bob Edwardes and Ned Minns for the additional photos.

Have a Go at Driving a Steam Loco and Electric Crane

Posted on July 2, 2024 by corwinb

It’s have-a-go week and there are slots available for you to come and try your hand at driving ‘Henbury’ and one of the electric cranes on the quayside.
The price is £80 per person for 20 minutes on each machine getting one-on-one tutoring.
Book your tickets here:
https://www.bristolmuseums.org.uk/m-shed/whats-on/train-and-crane-driving-experiences/

Pyronaut’s 90th Birthday!

Posted on June 22, 2024 by corwinb

If you go down to the docks today, you’ll find a host of celebrations and displays about firefighting in the docks as it’s fire float PYRONAUT’s 90th Birthday!

She has recently undergone a heavy overhaul at Able’s Yard and the paint is still drying!

Spring 2024

Posted on May 25, 2024 by corwinb

It’s another bank holiday weekend, which means train rides every day.
Here are a few photos from the last few weeks.
Passenger trains, shunting, boat trips, Balmoral’s move to Albion Yard, rain, sunshine and even a rainbow.

The Toad brake van has been receiving some tender loving care, including replacement wood and repainting. This involves shunting it on to the quayside so it can be outside the workshop.