Tag Archives: october

Last Day of the Season and a Farewell to Portbury

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Last Sunday (30th October) was the final operating day of the 2022 season for the working exhibits. Pyronaut was givng rides in the harbour and Portbury was working its final shift before being withdrawn for the upcoming 10-year overhaul.

… And that was it! ‘Farewell Portbury’ chalked on the smokebox door, ashed out over the pit, fire dropped, then back on shed. I couldn’t resist putting the Patrick nameplates (in honour of a friend) back on for a quick photo.

The team have wasted no time in starting the stripdown for overhaul, making the most of a gap in the weather this week. Thanks to Beth for these pics.

Autumn Sun (and rain!)

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With just 3 operating weekends left in the season, here are a few photos from today’s workings. The weather was good for the most part, with only one trainload of passengers getting the full ‘goods’ experience during a heavy shower!

Coming off the pit with steam to spare

Coming off the pit with steam to spare

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There was a march organised for Saturday evening to raise awareness for cancer on the dockside

There was a march organised for Saturday evening to raise awareness for cancer on the dockside

Ominous clouds

Ominous clouds

Newly-repainted Thekla in the distance

Newly-repainted Thekla in the distance

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Raising steam at M Shed

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The day’s work done

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Note the new sleepers installed when this section of track was relaid

Coaling up

Coaling up

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Larry empties the last of the coal into 34’s bunker

Creeping back to the shed

Creeping back to the shed

Ready for another day

Ready for another day

 

Here’s a bonus .gif of Portbury heading to the shed after a hard day’s work.

Docks Heritage Weekend 4th-5th October

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Don’t forget this weekend is Docks Heritage Weekend at M Shed!

Featuring vintage commercial vehicles on display (Including the museum’s own Bristol 8-wheel lorry), both steam and electric cranes in use unloading cargo from ship to shore, and the rare sight of the working electric capstans being used to shunt wagons on the quayside.

Docks Heritage Weekend

See the quayside come to life with dramatic re-enactments by Show of Strength theatre company.

Plus, see the amazing city of Briswool in all its woolly splendour.

The newly-outshopped MOGO van will also be on display, and the Tug John King will be giving rides around the harbour.

Lots to see and do, it should be a cracking weekend!

The museum's Bristol lorry during a loading demonstration in 2013 (Photo copyright Stu Chapman)

The museum’s Bristol lorry during a loading demonstration in 2013 (Photo copyright Stu Chapman)