Please note that the Chocolate Path (alongside the A Bond branch line and New Cut) will be closed from 9th Feb 2015 for 4 weeks.
Chocolate Path Closed for 4 Weeks
Reply
Tag Archives: avon
Portbury’s Twin Needs Your Help!
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.
Riverbank Subsidence and Repairs
The phrase ‘ship shape and Bristol fashion’ refers to the high tidal reach of the River Avon in Bristol, where ships would have to be strong to withstand being on the riverbed every 4 hours.
During the harsh tides this spring, the banks of the New Cut between Vauxhall Bridge and the Create Centre sagged a bit, requiring this section to be closed while repairs were carried out.
This photo shows the ‘sag’ in the track.
The rails in this section were duly lifted, and the sleepers repositioned to form a ramp for construction equipment to get in.
Within two weeks the operation was completed, allowing ‘Henbury’ to propel the first passenger trains across the repaired section. A speed limit of 5mph is currently in place here.
