Toad brake van repainted

Posted on February 5, 2018 by corwinb

The Bristol Harbour Railway is 40 years old this year!

In 1978 a group of keen and like minded people began operating steam train rides on Bristol’s harbourside. They had one working locomotive and an ex-GW brake van.

Henbury and the TOAD outside M Shed in 1979 (Courtesy John Law)

Since then, the van has given thousands of passengers rides up and down the line. It is essential to the running of the railway, becoming the leading end of the train when being propelled, and the large veranda gives a good field of vision for the guard.

Over the winter of 2017-2018, the van has been taken into the shed and been given a makeover. Rotten wood has been repaired, the whole vehicle has been sanded down and repainted, and it now sports a ‘Bristol’ allocation.

It looks very smart and is a credit to the volunteers and employees at M Shed.

I am trying to find out more information on the history of this brake van before it came to the BHR. If anyone does know of its past life, please do leave a comment below.

A spot of painting

Posted on September 22, 2017 by corwinb

The passenger stock has been receiving a bit of TLC recently, a bit of fresh paint.

Up near the passenger station outside L Shed, some groundworks are under way.

Overhauls and Maintenance

Posted on April 6, 2016 by corwinb

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.

Conflat Maintenance – 1

Posted on November 21, 2015 by corwinb

The small open passenger wagon, based on a ‘Conflat’, is currently outside the workshop for some maintenance.

The advantage of basing this vehicle on a container wagon is that the whole passenger ‘tub’ can be lifted off, making access easier. Another flat wagon has been brought up to accommodate the tub. It’s handy having huge cranes about the place!

Spring Sunshine

Posted on April 28, 2015 by corwinb

A pic from yesterday shows the Balmoral has departed the quayside, and the MOGO is back out, work on the roof now completed.

Carriage and Wagon Progress

Posted on April 24, 2015 by corwinb

The buffers have been removed from the Conflat, fresh timber added, and refitted.

The MOGO is currently housed in the engine shed while work continues on the roof. The van is pictured outside in the company of ‘Kilmersdon’.

Toad in the works

Posted on February 26, 2015 by corwinb

The ‘Toad’ brake van is receiving some attention this winter. The rather tired door is being renewed, and the van has been jacked up, the springs removed, and packing wood in place.

Pictured here is the former harbour plug, used from 1804-1935 when it was replaced by one made of rubber. The harbour needed to be drained fully to allow the plug to be removed, restricting navigation for 2 days.*

*This is not true, just a joke!

Docks Heritage Weekend 2014 – Photos and Video

Posted on October 5, 2014 by corwinb

Plenty of action on the dockside. 3 cranes in operation, along with the electric capstan shunting wagons. Actors from Show of Strength Theatre Company in character, loading demos, the Bristol Lorry, Portbury in Steam, and rides on tugboat John King to boot!