PYRONAUT IN ACTION – AGAIN
Due to the relentless heatwaves in August, ‘Pyronaut’ was callout out again on Sunday 9th to assist with cooling the bridge at Cumberland Basin. This time, Paul was skipper.
‘Pyronaut’ was giving boat rides that day so the last few trips had to be cancelled.
Thanks to Ned for these images.
HENBURY AT WORK
The heat also meant that loco crews had to be supplied with ice lollies regularly. It’s a medical thing, honest.
On 23rd August, Bristol Vintage Bus Group were out in force in Museum Square once again with their fabulous collection of vehicles on display and giving rides.
TRACKWORK
Efforts are ongoing to give some much-needed TLC to the track in the yard. Next to the pit has been particularly affected with rotten life-expired sleepers causing part of the track to become wide-to-gauge.
During a non-railway running weekend, the track gang were sorting through stacks of new (to us) sleepers and sorting them all by size. The rotten sleepers were dug out (often by just smashing them up). The weekday gang followed up by lifting one of the rails, removing the rest of the ballast and cutting new sleepers to fit.
Of course on the Saturday morning, the crane had ‘a moment’ and vomited diesel everywhere in the engine bay. This was traced to a tiny split hose. Thanks to a nearby GSF Car Parts stockist we were back in action before long. The weekend also offered a RARE haulage moment as the crane towed the entire passenger train and the coal wagon back onto the pit. That one’s going in the spotters’ book!
On the rained-off Saturday, there was still an opportunity to do some work despite the downpour. Dolly the Dog helped keep our spirits up whilst at the shed.
Once Henbury had been coaled, we set off in search of stashed sleepers, eventually locating them hiding amongst concrete ones in store.
After retrieving the Weltrol from the yard, the crane assisted in loading up the wagon, and the train headed back to L Shed.
As you can see, the sleepers have been used to construct something, but what is it? Well, if you come along to Docks Heritage Weekend on 19th and 20th September, you’ll find out!
DOCKS HERITAGE WEEKEND
This is my favourite event of the year, when we get all the toys out on the quayside (trucks, trains, boats, cranes, barrels and crates, the capstan and more) and try to bring a flavour of life on the docks in the 1950s back to Bristol.
There will also be plenty to see inside L Shed with model and historical displays, as well as the Show of Strength Theatre Company, so don’t miss it!
