An old friend has returned to Bristol, and will be operating this weekend!
Welcome back Portbury
Reply
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.
New year, new developments
This shot from Vauxhall Bridge shows that the majority of the fencing between Cumberland Road and the railway line has been removed. This is to be replaced and strengthened to prevent a metrobus going through the fence in the event of a collision.
Down at Sugar Quay/Whapping Wharf, the first phase of the new housing is nearly completed. This features a walkway that connect Gaol Ferry Bridge to Museum Square.
Merry Christmas
The harbourside is looking rather festive with the cranes’ booms lit up!
Up North at Beamish, ‘Portbury’ has been given a glowing review, along with the hire period extended into 2016. These photos were published on the Beamish Transport Online blog, taken during a sudden flurry of snow!
Conflat Maintenance – 1
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!
Bristol Harbour Railway Blog 