In addition to the Father’s Day Steam Up, the opportunity was taken to run a photo charter, organised by 30742 Charters and featuring ‘Teddy’ and ‘Kilmersdon’ in action, as well as ‘Henbury’ on static display.
Will Stratford was there to capture the occasion in these great photos.
There’s only a few spots left for the Father’s Day Steam Up, happening on 20th and 21st June.
Here’s what the M Shed Website has to say about it:
Give your dad a great day out with a chance to drive the steam locomotive Kilmersdon and the Fairbairn steam crane.
Take dad back in time to experience the power of steam with these legends of the past.
During your half hour slot, you’ll get instruction and tips on driving the locomotive Kilmersdon, an 0-4-0 Peckett built in 1929 and the Fairbairnsteam crane, built in 1875 by Stothert and Pitt.
The Fairbairn steam crane is the oldest surviving crane of its type in Britain and is a registered ancient monument.
After taking both machines for a spin, you’ll receive a certificate of achievement and a free drink and cake. You will also be have the chance to visit Teddy, an 0-4-0 Peckett built in 1941 and have a chat to the crew.
Friends and family can observe from the Brakevan where tea and cake can be purchased.
The exhibit is a hot and dirty environment so please wear suitable clothing and footwear. Please report to reception 15 minutes before your allocated time slot where a buddy will show you to the working area.
A great shot posted on the Beamish Transport Blog of I W & D 34 (aka Portbury) in company with 1931-built steam roller ‘Rambler’
Steam trains will be in operation this coming Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday. Kilmersdon will be doing the honours, seen here looking very smart.
Note: I do apologise for previously publishing inaccurate information regarding operating days this year, this was a mistake which has now been corrected by linking through to the official M Shed page. Please note that this is an unofficial blog site maintained by a volunteer, and that the best place for information on opening times and events is the M Shed website.
The buffers have been removed from the Conflat, fresh timber added, and refitted.
The MOGO is currently housed in the engine shed while work continues on the roof. The van is pictured outside in the company of ‘Kilmersdon’.
Callum Willcox took this great footage of visiting Peckett 0-4-0ST ‘Kilmersdon’ giving passenger rides in the glorious sunshine on 6th April 2015.
Blue skies and blue locomotive today, as Peckett 0-4-0ST ‘Kilmersdon’ is at work on passenger trains for the first services of 2015. The SS Great Britain and New Cut branches are in operation, come down to the docks for a ride!
It’s the first BHR operating weekend of the year, with 3 days of steam-hauled train rides planned.
Saturday 4th April
Sunday 5th April
Monday 6th April.
Visiting Bristol-built Peckett 0-4-0st ‘Kilmersdon’ will be providing motive power.
‘Kilmersdon’ was built by Peckett in 1929 and numbered 1788. It worked at the NCB’s Kilmersdon Colliery in Somerset and now belongs to the Somerset and Dorset Railway Trust.
She has previously visited the BHR and worked photo charters, and was a former stablemate of ‘Portbury’ and ‘Henbury’ at Radstock.
In this first look at the changing face of the Butterfly Junction area, you can see the extensive clearance of foliage that has taken place. Surveyors have been working in the area over the past few weeks.
Further down the line, the area around the Cumberland Road Bridge siding has also been cleared. The spare wagon wheelsets have been moved out of the way. The plans for the bridge indicate that the path here will be raised up to platform height in order to meet the new bridge.
The ‘Toad’ brake van is receiving some attention this winter. The rather tired door is being renewed, and the van has been jacked up, the springs removed, and packing wood in place.
Pictured here is the former harbour plug, used from 1804-1935 when it was replaced by one made of rubber. The harbour needed to be drained fully to allow the plug to be removed, restricting navigation for 2 days.*
*This is not true, just a joke!
Bristol Harbour Railway Blog 