MOGO – Out in Time for Docks Heritage Weekend!

Posted on October 2, 2025 by corwinb

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!

More MOGO overhaul progress

Posted on August 29, 2025 by corwinb

Volunteers have been beavering away on the GWR MOGO van with the intention of getting it back on the quayside in time for Docks Heritage Weekend in October.
High quality marine ply has been purchased to replace the knackered old timbers. This has been cut and test-fitted to the van to drill bolt holes, then will be removed, sealed, primed and refitted for painting.
Thanks to Bob for the images

Sulphuric Acid Tanker – Refurbished

Posted on January 15, 2025 by corwinb

The ‘tarting up’ of the tanker has been completed by the weekday volunteering team.
The Coles having been fixed at the weekend meant the tanker could be manoeuvred onto the running line yesterday. Katie was on hand to take these photos.

With the wagon re-railed, the lid could be craned into place. This wasn’t removed during the previous restoration but it has enabled some remedial work to be done inside the tank.
Bruce did the honours of tightening up the new/refurbished securing hooks.

All done! A nice quick win for the team and proof if proof be need be that the team can turn around wagon overhauls in good time.

Henbury in Steam

Posted on April 24, 2021 by corwinb

On Wednesday 21st April, Henbury moved under its own steam for the first time since 2014. Bob drove it off shed and on a short test run, all seems well so far.

Thanks to Bruce Davies for these photos.

Henbury’s Fire is Lit

Posted on April 18, 2021 by corwinb

Work on Henbury progresses as Coronavirus restrictions are relaxed. The majority of the loco has been reassembled and today it was pulled out of the shed to have a warming fire lit. Over the next few days the loco will steadily be brought up to pressure and every joint checked.

Thanks to Rob Skuse for the photos and information.

Video – Mayflower’s Boiler Lift – April 2020

Posted on December 3, 2020 by corwinb

The 1861-built Steam Tug ‘Mayflower’ takes another step in the progress of its overhaul as the boiler is lifted back into the hull. Assisting in the operation is 1917-built Avonside ‘Portbury’ and 1951-built Stothert and Pitt ‘Crane 32’, both working exhibits and still earning their keep at M Shed Museum. Whilst the superstructure was off I took the opportunity to film some shots of the engine room with natural light, a rare occurrence! The lifting operation was undertaken by a minimum number of volunteers due to the COVID-19 situation and working regulations.

Henbury Overhaul Update – November 2020

Posted on November 19, 2020 by corwinb

Henbury’s overhauled rolling chassis has now been reunited with the boiler, allowing re-assembly to continue.
In order to do this, the temporary track was extended out of the workshop, and a commercial crane was employed to turn the frames through 90 degrees and onto the quayside track. Portbury was able to bring the boiler on its trolley down to the quayside, where it was lifted into the frames. It was nearly dark by the time the operation was completed.
Lastly, Portbury took her old stablemate back to the running shed.

Photos courtesy Bob Edwardes, with thanks.

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:

First operating weekend of 2018 – 10th/11th Feb

Posted on February 9, 2018 by corwinb

The BHR will be in operation tomorrow and Sunday! An early start for an exciting year, and the public debut of the newly overhauled TOAD.

Portbury was out on Thursday shunting the passenger train together.

Toad in the works

Posted on February 26, 2015 by corwinb

The ‘Toad’ brake van is receiving some attention this winter. The rather tired door is being renewed, and the van has been jacked up, the springs removed, and packing wood in place.

Pictured here is the former harbour plug, used from 1804-1935 when it was replaced by one made of rubber. The harbour needed to be drained fully to allow the plug to be removed, restricting navigation for 2 days.*

*This is not true, just a joke!

Bristol Harbour Railway Blog

An unofficial blog site about the BHR and industrial railways in Bristol

Tag Archives: overhaul