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.

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.

Henbury Restoration Progress – Feb 2019

Posted on March 1, 2019 by corwinb

Thanks to Jack Bayntun for these photos, showing ‘Henbury’s shiny axleboxes being fitted to test oil pipe arrangements.

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More wagon restorations

Posted on January 25, 2019 by corwinb

Exciting times at the BHR! Following on from the Sulphuric Acid tanker, the team are wasting no time and have also completed a cosmetic restoration of flat wagon number 31568, an ex-PBA tank wagon chassis.

Pictured here in company with the MOGO and the tank wagon.

ex-PBA tank wagon chassis in use as a flat wagon

The flat wagon is currently carrying a component of the next one to undergo refurbishment, the cover for ex-GWR ‘Starfish’ ballast wagon, built 1936 at Swindon.

Pictured here a few years ago:

40th Anniversary Celebrations (Video)

Posted on April 8, 2018 by corwinb

On Saturday March 24th 2018, the Bristol Harbour Railway celebrated 40 years of operation on Bristol’s Harbourside, accompanied by the Lydney Town Band and of course a cake to commemorate the occasion! 101-year old ‘Portbury’ did the honours, pushing and pulling the freshly-refurbished passenger train up and down all day. What started as a group of enthusiasts, one locomotive (Henbury) and a brake van has seen dozens of changes on the harbourside, with the disused industrial area changing into a vibrant tourist hotspot. Long may it continue to bring delight to passengers, giving a unique experience in UK preservation.