Crane 29’s Facelift

Posted on March 11, 2017 by corwinb

Crane 29 has now had its restored window panelling and glazing replaced. Very nice it looks, too!

Night Shoot with Portbury

Posted on February 19, 2017 by corwinb

Last night the BHR was host to another of the popular photo charters organised by 30742 Charters and M Shed Museum.

This time it was a night shoot on the quayside, where Portbury shared the limelight with the museum’s Bristol lorry.

Here’s a video posted by Martin Creese on the 30742 facebook page:

and a couple of snaps from the evening from the same page:

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Autumn operating weekends

Posted on October 22, 2016 by corwinb

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.

Museum Square Developments

Posted on October 20, 2016 by corwinb

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.

Harbour Festival

Posted on July 14, 2016 by corwinb

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.

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.

End of the Season

Posted on November 2, 2015 by corwinb

Well, that’s the end of the 2015 operating season on the BHR. Plenty of exciting updates to come, with the ongoing metrobus and Whapping Wharf/Sugar Quay developments, and M Shed’s own projects.

Here’s a photo of a scene that won’t be repeated again, the old Butterfly Junction halt with ‘Judy’ on the passenger train.

Photo courtesy Tim Symons

Cranes and Boats and Trains

Posted on October 28, 2015 by corwinb

The last operating weekend of the season is this coming Saturday and Sunday on the BHR, before the winter shut down begins. M Shed museum will be open as normal.

The steam tug Mayflower will also be giving rides.

One of the electric cranes is open to visitors from 11am-4pm today, if you want to go up in the cab and see the controls!

More Crane Dancing

Posted on October 18, 2015 by corwinb

Another excellent video of the crane dance, from masscranedance.org

Crane Dance/Heritage Weekend Photos and Videos

Posted on October 4, 2015 by corwinb

What a nice weekend! The weather was good and the crowds turned out to both the Docks Heritage Weekend, and on Saturday evening, the Crane Dance. The dance, featuring live music and choreographed lighting and movement, was devised by Laura Kriefman and was a collaboration between:

M Shed, Underfall Yard, RSVP Bhangra, The Balmoral, Bristol Pilot Gig Club, Bristol Channel Social Rowers, Watershed, Studio 360.

Here’s a few clips:

Jamie Corbin put together this timelapse of the crane dance:

In the daytime, there were dockside loading and unloading demonstrations, actors from the Show of Strength Theatre Company, mosaics, the steam crane in operation, rides on the tug John King, and the chance to drive Judy for £10, and more…