Tag Archives: bristol

March comings and goings

Posted on by
Reply

There have been arrivals and departures at the BHR recently.
We said goodbye to pannier 1369 after three very successful events (two photo charters organised by 30742 Charters and one brake van running day). 1369 was a popular engine with visitors and it was nice to crew something different for a change. It’s back to its home at the South Devon Railway, from where ‘Henbury’ also returned. It had been hoped for the Peckett to star at the SDR’s winter gala but sadly this was not to be due to mechanical issues.
The rigours of continuous running over a long period are quite different to shunting up and down the quayside.
Thanks to Bob Edwardes for the photos of the two green locomotives swapping places, Larry and the Coles Crane doing the honours of shunting on the quayside.

In the same week, two wagons were readied to receive a load of concrete sleepers, recently purchased for the upcoming task of track renewal, especially on the New Cut Branch (currently blocked half way due to repair work at Vauxhall Bridge).
Thanks to Bruce for the photos of the loading process taken from the drivers cabin of the crane!

Hoping to share some of the wonderful photos and videos that people took over the course of No. 1369’s stay soon!

Brake Van Rides with Pannier 1369 – 1 day only!

Posted on by
3

If you’d like the chance to ride behind GWR Pannier Tank No. 1369 on the Bristol Harbour Railway, there will be a one-time chance to do so.
To celebrate RAIL200, on Friday 14th March 2025, 1369 will be running short trips with the newly-outshopped Toad Brake Van up to Vauxhall Bridge and back on the branch. There may be the opportunity to dismount at Vauxhall Bridge and take photos.
Places are limited to 10 people per trip and the price is £10 per person for 1 round trip (cash or card, payable on the day).
Spaces are on a first-come, first-serve basis on the day and the first trip will be at 11am. There will be approximately 4 trips on the day (depending on demand and staffing).
1369 will be returning to the South Devon Railway soon so this may be the only chance to travel behind it and a rare opportunity to ride on the New Cut Branch.
Please note that as the Toad is the only passenger vehicle on this service, it will be difficult to provide wheelchair access due to the width of the doors.

Last chance to have your say on Western Harbour development

Posted on by
Reply

The public consultation for the proposed Western Harbour redevelopment of Cumberland Basin and its surrounding area closes on 9th March, so there are only a few days remaining to have your say on the current proposals.

Western Harbour Website

Link to consultation

How does this affect the Bristol Harbour Railway?
The current proposals do make a point of reinstating the railway along the New Cut (closed since the development of Metrobus on the site of Butterfly Junction). However, the proposed end of the line stops short of the BHR’s intended new terminus (for which ballast has been laid but trains are yet to run to) alongside the bonded warehouse.
The BHR’s storage shed ‘the barn’ and the buildings around it are to be demolished under the new proposals in favour of apartment blocks.
A link to the proposal video is below:

Photo Charter with 1369

Posted on by
Reply

On Monday, 1369 once again took to the harbourside to star in a photo charter in central Bristol, organised by 30742 charters.
Here are some photos from the day, thanks to Bob Edwardes and David Stagg.

Training Day

Posted on by
Reply

Recently the BHR did a training weekend for the operating staff and volunteers. This started with a session in the classroom going over rules, conduct, risks and procedures.

Then it was out to the engine shed for a briefing on train movements and safe working practice. Then each person took it in turns to stop traffic and wave the locomotive (1369) across the crossings. This was followed by a demonstration and practice on points in the yard, then understanding how to call a locomotive onto a train, operation of hand brakes, shunting pole and the correct protocol for coupling/uncoupling including vacuum hoses.

At the end of the day there was some shunting required to get the Toad back to the shed in order for the work on its underframe to be completed and the springs refitted.

Thanks to Katie Richards and Bob Edwardes for the photos.

A Pannier in the Port Again!

Posted on by
5

As Henbury is currently away at the South Devon Railway, in return the BHR has Collett pannier tank No.1369 on loan. It arrived earlier this week, straight from a guest appearance at the Battlefield Railway’s winter gala. Thanks to Bob, Katie and Jay for these photos.

After the trailer was lined up on the quayside and the loco winched down, Larry did the honours of towing it to the Buttery, with the crane assisting on the way to the shed.

There is a photo charter planned with 1369 and hopefully it’ll make a few appearances in steam.

Portbury Progress

Posted on by
Reply

Now Portbury’s boiler has been detubed, work moves on to the next job. Today we started the process of removing the wheelsets.
First, the eccentric rods were taken off the centre axle.

Then the brake rodding was dropped out and the brake blocks and hangers removed (fronts have been left on for now until we can move the axle due to clearances on the slide bars).

With all the gubbins out of the way, the process of jacking the loco up can start. 2 hydraulic jacks (one at each end) with 4 screw jacks (one on each corner) and plenty of timber packing. By the end of the day, we had nearly lifted the loco enough to drop the axleboxes out of the hornguides.
The weekday team will be picking things up next.

Last Operating Weekend of 2024 (Sunday)

Posted on by
Reply

That’s it! Another season of passenger operations finished. Now the winter maintenance can begin.

This includes getting the tank of the Sulphiric Acid Tanker rubbed down and repainted. The chassis is still in good condition but the tank has suffered a bit from flaking paint and rust bubbles.
The Coles Crane was used to bring the tanker out of the yard and set it down on to Henbury at the end of the working day. The steam loco then propelled it onto the quayside to be pressure-washed. Earlier in the day we did a test lift to ensure the crane would be able to slew it into the warehouse.

Henbury was then ashed out (the plates in the ashpan were removed at the same time) and taken back to the shed as the light faded.

Thanks to Katie Richards for the photos.

Docks Heritage Weekend 2024

Posted on by
Reply

One of my favourite events of the year, DOCKS HERITAGE WEEKEND took place over 28th and 29th September.
This event featured our friends at the Show of Strength Theatre Company once again, this time with a new storyline (featuring George and Sheila of course) with more jeopardy and a longer run time (and some singing!).
Sheila’s ordered a new television on hire-purchase, but she’s not told George about it! Will he find out?
John King was on duty giving rides around the harbour, 2 cranes were working (one for visitors and one loading the lorry), the capstan was in operation again and Henbury was in steam for cab visits. Saturday also featured live performances from the choir in L Shed.

Thanks to Katie Richards and Bob Edwardes for these photos.

Harbour Festival 2024

Posted on by
Reply

A few photos from this year’s Harbour Festival (20th/21st July). We survived another year with lots of volunteers working together to deliver the boat and train service. Pyronaut, still fresh from overhaul, did its part in the displays showing off its pumping ability, with stalwart John King providing passenger trips. The steam launches were a personal highlight. Mixed weather didn’t appear to put too many people off as can be seen from the crowded quayside!
Thankfully on these occasions extra volunteers are deployed for crowd safety.
Thanks to Bob Edwardes and Ned Minns for the additional photos.