Alfred and Judy arrive at the BHR!

Posted on September 11, 2013 by corwinb

The diminutive Port of Par twin engines ‘Alfred’ and ‘Judy’ have arrived in Bristol.

Thursday September 12th will see them operating photo charters, and as an added bonus, they will be operating service trains in conjunction with the BHR’s own ‘Portbury’ this coming weekend.

The charter and the visit has been organised through 30742 Charters with the Bristol Harbour Railway, the Locomotive’s owners, and the haulage company.

To find out more about these locomotives follow the link:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bagnall_0-4-0ST_%22Alfred%22_and_%22Judy%22

Portbury returns to service

Posted on August 29, 2013 by corwinb

August Bank Holiday Weekend saw the re-introduction of Avonside 0-6-0ST ‘Portbury’ into service. She top and tailed services with Peckett ‘Henbury’ all weekend.
All photographs are reproduced here with the kind permission of Rob Skuse.

Morning prep, shunting and down the branch

Stalwart locomotive ‘Henbury’, and the two stablemates at the end of the day.

Portbury Overhaul Update 6

Posted on August 18, 2013 by corwinb

In order to rearrange the two saddle tanks, and to get ‘Henbury’ over the inspection pit, it was necessary to do some shunting using the Ruston diesel shunter, not often seen on the line.
The Ruston itself was in the ‘Barn’, behind the line’s self-propelled crane.

The crane shunts the coal wagon back out of the way.

With a growl and a puff of smoke, the Ruston creeps out of the barn, collects the two vans (Which double up as a good way of preventing people falling into the pit), and deposits them back outside the shed before heading down to M Shed.

Dragging the two steam locos out, Portbury deposited in the siding while Henbury heads to the pit.

Henbury is pushed back into the shed first….

and Portbury basks in the sun

This week, she’s been treated to warming fires to test the boiler for any leaks. Sunday saw her courting attention on the quayside.

Portbury Overhaul Update 5

Posted on August 18, 2013 by corwinb

I was lucky enough to take some holiday last week and have spent the days down at the railway. ‘Portbury’ has been the main focus of attention as she is prepared for her steam tests.

Here’s a few pics I’ve taken over the course of the week.

Firstly, lining in progress (During Harbour Festival)

Painting up the inside of the frames

and the coupling links (red oxide first)

Smokebox front rubbed down and first coat applied

The obligatory front three quarter view

More to come…

Portbury Overhaul Update 4

Posted on August 8, 2013 by corwinb

A little animated teaser for Portbury….

M Shed Working Exhibits Facebook Page

Posted on August 7, 2013 by corwinb

To see even more updates and pictures not only from the BHR but also the other working exhibits at M Shed, including the steam and electric cranes, tug ‘John King’, fire boat ‘Pyronaut’ and more, it’s well worth checking out the facebook group on the following link:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/198001523638936/

(You will need a facebook account to see this page)

Portbury Overhaul Update 3

Posted on July 20, 2013 by corwinb

‘Portbury’ with chimney fitted, steam tests due next month

Birthday Special

Posted on June 30, 2013 by corwinb

On Saturday 29th June the BHR team celebrated one of our volunteers’ 18th Birthday. ‘Henbury’ was renamed ‘Emily Anne’ for the day and wore a ‘Birthday Special’ headboard.

Here’s a few photos from the day.

Henbury is dragged out of the shed by the front loader.
henbury-leaves-shed-2

Morning checks, and the fire is lit.

Some shunting was necessary as the Weltrol wagon used for ‘Gromit Unleashed’ on Friday needed to be shunted back into the long siding, and the passenger train reassembled.

The birthday girl

The belly of the beast

The last service of the day was a special train for volunteers, running down to the Create Centre and back

At the end of the day, the fire is dropped and Henbury/Emily Anne uses the last of her steam to return to the shed.

Unfortunately, ‘Portbury’s return to service has been delayed a bit. Hopefully she’ll be back in steam before the end of the year and ready to take over from her stablemate, as ‘Henbury’ will be withdrawn for her ten-year overhaul in July 2014.

Gromit Unleashed!

Posted on June 28, 2013 by corwinb

Cycled down to the quayside in my lunch break as a launch party for Visit Bristol’s ‘Gromit Unleashed’ project was underway.
Several decorated Gromits were on a flat wagon pulled by ‘Henbury’.
Wallace and Gromit creator Nick Park was there being filmed by a tv crew

Follow the link to the official post on the M-Shed website
http://mshed.org/about-us/news/gromits-make-a-grand-entrance-on-the-henbury/

Visit England made this short news piece on the launch:

Portbury Overhaul Update 2

Posted on June 24, 2013 by corwinb

I called in at ‘The Cathedral’ (M Shed MPD) on the way from work today and met Chris, who will be taking on the role of General Manager from David Martin, who has been there since the railway’s inception in 1978.
Chris was repainting much of ‘Portbury’ as she was being reassembled. The hope is to get her ready in time for the Harbour Festival, but the aim is not to rush unnecessarily as ‘Portbury’ will be taking over from ‘Henbury’ as the sole steam locomotive when ‘Henbury’s boiler ticket expires in July 2014.

Pics showing the progress:

Bristol Harbour Railway Blog

An unofficial blog site about the BHR and industrial railways in Bristol

Category Archives: Locomotives and Stock