Shunting Using an Electric Capstan – Video

Posted on February 19, 2020 by corwinb

The newest video on the Railway Mania Channel features a snippet of info about the museum’s capstan, seen in action at Docks Heritage Weekend.

Full video here:

Henbury’s Boiler Passes Steam Test

Posted on December 21, 2019 by corwinb

Some rather excellent news to round off the year, Henbury’s boiler passed its steam test this week. Next comes the task of reassembly.

Thanks to Bill Drewett for the photos.

1998 – A Pug In The Port

Posted on December 5, 2019 by corwinb

In 1998, ex-Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway 0F ‘Pug’ No.51218, now based at the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway but once allocated to Bristol Barrow Road shed, ran on a special photo charter at Bristol Industrial Museum.

Robert Tarling was there to capture the occasion, these are his photos and I am very grateful to Robert for allowing them to be reposted here.
Please click here to see more of Robert’s work

Courtesy Robert Tarling, with thanks. No unauthorised reproduction.

Henbury Overhaul Update – October 2019

Posted on October 24, 2019 by corwinb

Henbury’s boiler out of the shed, with a warming fire in it, yesterday.

Docks Heritage Weekend 2019

Posted on October 4, 2019 by corwinb

DHW took place last weekend, with plenty going on at M Shed, SS Great Britain and Underfall Yard.

On Saturday, the Capstan was also in operation again. This device enables people to move wagons along the quayside without needing a locomotive. I made this video of the Capstan in use back in 2014.

Two electric cranes were also in operation, one giving tours and one loading/unloading goods to and from the lorry and rail vehicles.

Henbury’s Boiler Returns

Posted on July 8, 2019 by corwinb

Good news as Henbury’s boiler has arrived back at M-Shed. I believe this boiler dates from 1955 as it was a new one fitted to ‘Mackenzie’ which had the winged smokebox front typical of earlier Pecketts. In or around 1960, the boiler was fitted to ‘Henbury’ which previously had a straight smokebox front.

Lots of steps still to go through on re-assembly but the boiler is one of the biggest hurdles in any overhaul!

Restoration Updates – April 2019

Posted on April 22, 2019 by corwinb

Lots has been going on, ‘Portbury’ has just finished working the busy Bank Holiday weekend.

A few weeks ago the Steam Crane’s jib was re-painted.

The Turbot’s vacuum brake cylinder was due for overhaul, so in March it was shunted out of the service train and outside the shed, where the work was carried out.

Here it is, freshly refurbished.

The BD open wagon’s repaint is pressing ahead. The planks still have a few years left in them so since the wagon won’t be carrying much in the way of loads, the scabby looking planks were simply turned around in situ.

Wagon Restoration Update – March 2019

Posted on March 19, 2019 by corwinb

The next wagon to be overhauled at M Shed is the LSWR 8 plank open mineral wagon, built 1921 and numbered as BD 27.

The below pictures show it shortly after being shunted into the shed, Bob is tracing the sign writing to use as a template later. Since these photos were taken several planks have been removed for replacement.