Tag Archives: great western railway

MOGO – Out in Time for Docks Heritage Weekend!

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Looking very shiny on the quayside today was the freshly-painted GWR MOGO van, in the nick of time for Docks Heritage Weekend this Saturday and Sunday!
The volunteers have been working flat-out the past few weeks to get the van stripped, re-clad in new marine ply and primed, then painted. Some touching-up and signwriting still to do but it is looking excellent.
Compare this to the rather sorry state it was in earlier this year:

Here’s some photos from last weekend with normal train running at the same time as work went on inside L Shed:

As above, don’t forget it’s Docks Heritage Weekend on the quayside, with cranes, capstan, boats and the steam locomotive all in use with support from the Show of Strength Theatre Company.
It’s one of the best events of the year at the museum!

Brake Van Rides with Pannier 1369 – 1 day only!

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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.

Photo Charter with 1369

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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.

Pannier on Princes Wharf c.1952

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With thanks to a member of the Avon Valley Railway group who passed on this photo via Bob Edwardes.
Believed to have been taken by Rex Coffin in around 1952 (judging by the fact that Crane 32 looks brand new) it shows 5700 class pannier tank No. 7790 at the head of a train of loaded conflats on the quayside line.
The loco is still in faded G W R livery and has a GW shunters’ truck attached to the front.
On the extreme right of the photo it looks as though a road wagon is parked across what is now the main running line.
In the background to the left can be seen the crane whose pedestal still stands at the edge of Lloyds Amphitheatre.