Will Stratford captured these images (posted on the M Shed Working Exhibits Facebook Page) of the Docks Heritage weekend.
and also this timelapse!
With thanks to Will Stratford.
Docks Heritage Weekend
Reply
Portbury on tour… again!
Stalwart loco ‘Portbury’ is set to go on a small outing, on the weekend of 15th and 16th October, to the BHR’s neighbours, the Avon Valley Railway at Bitton.
The AVR is hosting its traditional end of season gala, also featuring Polish Ferrum TKh 4015 and Hunslet Austerity WD 132 ‘Sapper’.
Sister loco to Portbury, Avonside No.1798 is based at the Avon Valley and is currently undergoing major restoration.
Here’s a couple of photos of Portbury, snapped by the intrepid George Aldridge a few weeks ago.
Harbour Festival
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.
Welcome back Portbury
An old friend has returned to Bristol, and will be operating this weekend!
Farewell Judy…..
After approximately a year of service on the BHR (and with the expiry of the boiler ticket imminent), Bagnall ‘Judy’ is off back to her home in Cornwall, and Portbury is back from her extended holiday in Beamish!
TBT – The Harbour in 1965
British Pathe’s excellent youtube channel features this clip, of one of the Bristol-based tugs helping the ship VARLA DAN out of the harbour. In the background are plenty of coal wagons in the sidings, this space is now occupied by flats and SS GB Halt. The rails in the foreground were retained and are still visible after the regeneration of this area.
Overhauls and Maintenance
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.
Operating days for 2016, Larry gets a new look
The planned railway operating days are now up on the M Shed website, click here to take a look!
Judy was out on the line today getting warmed up for the first operating weekend of the year – 19/20th March.
Also out in the sun was resident front loader ‘Larry’, looking resplendent in a fresh coat of paint!
TBT – GWR 813 in Bristol
Another Throwback Thursday to 29th July 2001, when GWR 813 was visiting Bristol. This locomotive has just celebrated its centenary, having been built in June 1901.
You can learn more about GWR 813 and if you like, contribute to the upkeep of this lovely locomotive at http://www.gwr813.org/
Credit for these photos goes to K R Bayley, with huge thanks to Nick Baxter for sending them to me.
Henbury’s Saddle Tank Removed
Henbury’s tank has now been lifted off and is pictured here stored on a handy flat wagon on the quayside.
Bristol Harbour Railway Blog 