TBT – Portbury’s Slumber

Posted on October 23, 2014 by corwinb

After the preservation project at Radstock closed, and before she was brought to L Shed for restoration, Portbury was stored in a warehouse at Avonmouth Docks. Some restoration work had been undertaken at Radstock, and the loco was re-assembled before delivery back to Avonmouth. It was to be another 10 years until she returned to steam.

In the shed at Avonmouth docks 14/5/82 (RCTS)

The photographs on this page (Unless otherwise stated) were taken by Kevin Hughes and purchased from the Rail Correspondance and Travel Society’s website. They appear here for research purposes only and may not be used for profit or gain without permission.

Level Crossing Work 2

Posted on October 17, 2014 by corwinb

Both lines have now been lifted, and the trackbed excavated.

: Wednesday

: Thursday

: Sugar Quay development looms behind

TBT – Portbury takes on Foxfield Bank, 2008

Posted on October 16, 2014 by corwinb

At the Foxfield Railway’s 2008 gala, Portbury paid a visit and was given the chance to attack the famous 1-in-19 to 1-in-26 Foxfield Bank, the climb away from Foxfield Colliery itself.

Youtube user ‘Pennysteam’ was there to capture the event (If you like railway videos, be sure to subscribe to pennysteam as their footage is spectacular)

Part 1:

Part 2, Portbury ascends the gradient again at around 5.20:

Level Crossing Work

Posted on October 14, 2014 by corwinb

The lines leading from the shed to the yard are being lifted in preparation for the new level crossing to be built. This will span both tracks at an angle.

Autumn Sun (and rain!)

Posted on October 11, 2014 by corwinb

With just 3 operating weekends left in the season, here are a few photos from today’s workings. The weather was good for the most part, with only one trainload of passengers getting the full ‘goods’ experience during a heavy shower!

Coming off the pit with steam to spare

There was a march organised for Saturday evening to raise awareness for cancer on the dockside

Ominous clouds

Newly-repainted Thekla in the distance

Raising steam at M Shed

The day’s work done

Note the new sleepers installed when this section of track was relaid

Coaling up

Larry empties the last of the coal into 34’s bunker

Creeping back to the shed

Ready for another day

Here’s a bonus .gif of Portbury heading to the shed after a hard day’s work.

TBT – Beware of Trains

Posted on October 7, 2014 by corwinb

It’s the 11th July 1993. ‘Portbury’, resplendent in blue, is being prepared for the day’s work. Note the industrial buildings behind, now the site of apartments.

Photo courtesy Gillet’s Crossing/Wikipedia Commons

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!

AEC Matador Timber Tractor at the entrance to the quayside

Portbury simmering away, visitors could take a look around the cab

Freshly painted MOGO

Co-ordinating loading

Twin crane action

Preparing the capstan

The Museum’s Bristol-built lorry

British Road Services Livery

Here’s a video of the electric capstan winch shunting demonstration:

Click here to see the Bristol Post article of the event

‘MOGO’ Van Restoration – 6

Posted on October 2, 2014 by corwinb

South side of the MOGO with gloss coat on, and lettering applied. Nearly ready for the docks heritage weekend.

Portbury’s Twin Needs Your Help!

Posted on October 1, 2014 by corwinb

Based just a few miles away at the Avon Valley Railway is an almost identical loco to the BHR’s own ‘Portbury’, Avonside No.1798.

An appeal has been launched to get this locomotive restored and back in steam. It was the first steam loco on-site at Bitton in 1973, and worked there right up until it needed a heavy overhaul in the mid 1980s.

Built in 1918 at the same Bristol works as ‘Portbury’, it was delivered to the Imperial Smelting Works in Avonmouth, where it laboured away its whole working life.

ISC Ltd. No.2 at work in Avonmouth (Photo copyright Gordon Edgar)

The above photo appears here with the kind permission of Gordon Edgar, please take a look at his flickr site for more great railway images

When restored at the Avon Valley Railway, the loco received a plain black livery and was named ‘Edwin Hulse’ after a founder member of the railway.

En route to Bitton

The first steam-hauled trains at Bitton

A lot has changed since 1974, but this loco has seen it all!

How you can help

You can help by sponsoring one of the major parts listed in this brochure (download link) or by joining the 1798 Club whereby you covenant to donate £17.98 each month by standing order for up to 24 months. Whether you sponsor a specific item or donate monthly, you will automatically become members of the 1798 Club and be entitled to a range of benefits.

Every penny received from sponsorship or donation is spent on restoring this important engine.

Further details can be obtained by downloading the leaflet.

Please take a look at the official website for more details.

Bristol Harbour Railway Blog

An unofficial blog site about the BHR and industrial railways in Bristol