Throwback Thursday – Peckett Party

Posted on May 5, 2022 by corwinb

A look back to 2015 when resident Peckett ‘Henbury’ (at that point awaiting overhaul) was joined by ‘Kilmersdon’ (1788/1929) and ‘Teddy’ (2012/1941). Many thanks to David Stagg for these photos.

Easter Running and Photos from 1950s Weekend

Posted on April 16, 2022 by corwinb

The BHR is running steam trains this Easter on Sat/Sun/Mon, all being well both Portbury and Henbury should be out.

Here is a little photo album from the 1950s weekend, where we got the working exhibits out again to demonstrate activity and cargo handling on the quayside. The M Shed exhibits and volunteers were joined by vehicles from The Shopland Collection and ‘Mr. and Mrs. Purnell’ from The Show of Strength Theatre Company.
Thanks to Chloe Little and Bob Edwardes for these photos.

Steam Test Success

Posted on February 18, 2022 by corwinb

Pleased to report that the steam fleet passed their insurance inspections/tests this week ready to operate again.
Next week M Shed is doing ‘have a go week’ where you can try your hand at driving a steam loco and an electric crane!

More details:
https://www.bristolmuseums.org.uk/m-shed/whats-on/train-and-crane-driving-experiences/

Pannier on Princes Wharf c.1952

Posted on November 22, 2021 by corwinb

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.

Henbury in Steam on the Quayside

Posted on November 8, 2021 by corwinb

For a couple of days in ‘Have a Go Week’, Henbury was out on the quayside as the kinks are ironed out.

Thanks to Bob Edwardes for these two pics! Very nice framing through the cranes.

Aaand here are a few I took including a trip up in the crane.

Docks Heritage Weekend 2021

Posted on October 16, 2021 by corwinb

It’s been a week since the first public outing for the working exhibits in over a year, Docks Heritage Weekend. What a blast! So great to have the volunteers working with the public again. Both Portbury and Henbury were on display and the capstan was back in operation both days, and crane 30 was kept busy loading and unloading the lorry.
Quayside operations were bolstered with audience interaction from the Show of Strength Theatre company.
Thanks for Bob, Bruce and the M Shed social media channels for these photos of the weekend.

Portbury in Blue

Posted on June 1, 2021 by corwinb

Thanks to Archie Beale for these photos of Portbury ex-works in either 1988-89 or the 1990s doing passenger trips on the harbourside.

BHR in 1991 – Video

Posted on May 10, 2020 by corwinb

Nicholas Tozer published this rather lovely video of a blue ‘Portbury’ operating trains in the early 1990s. It’s amazing to see the differences in the background, like the old sidings, the sleeper wall where the flats near SS GB halt now are. Also note the W.Vincent wagon being used for passengers, these days it is back to being a coal wagon.