The passenger stock has been receiving a bit of TLC recently, a bit of fresh paint.
Up near the passenger station outside L Shed, some groundworks are under way.
A spot of painting
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Tag Archives: restoration
Henbury Overhaul Progress (October 2016)
Work on Henbury’s 10 year overhaul is progressing well.
The boiler has now been lifted from the frames (courtesy of Crane 32 with shunting assistance from Portbury). The boiler has been placed on a trolley and taken back to the engine shed, while the frames were lifted and turned 90 degrees, then placed on a temporarily-laid piece of track so they could be pushed into the workshop. The cab and other items are also inside.
During certain running days, visitors to M Shed can see work taking place and even make a donation to the overhaul. There are photographs of the boiler lift on display to show the process.
The above sequence shows the lift.
Above: The boiler, cab, frames and tank all separated out.
Meanwhile, Portbury is running the scheduled services. This weekend is the last operating weekend of the season, with trains running from M Shed and alternating down the branch to Vauxhall Bridge and the quayside line to SS Great Britain.
Here are a few shots of Portbury at work last weekend.
Henbury’s Saddle Tank Removed
Henbury’s tank has now been lifted off and is pictured here stored on a handy flat wagon on the quayside.
New year, new developments
This shot from Vauxhall Bridge shows that the majority of the fencing between Cumberland Road and the railway line has been removed. This is to be replaced and strengthened to prevent a metrobus going through the fence in the event of a collision.
Down at Sugar Quay/Whapping Wharf, the first phase of the new housing is nearly completed. This features a walkway that connect Gaol Ferry Bridge to Museum Square.
Conflat Maintenance – 1
The small open passenger wagon, based on a ‘Conflat’, is currently outside the workshop for some maintenance.
The advantage of basing this vehicle on a container wagon is that the whole passenger ‘tub’ can be lifted off, making access easier. Another flat wagon has been brought up to accommodate the tub. It’s handy having huge cranes about the place!
Harbour Festival 2015 Photos
‘Teddy’ and ‘Judy’ are working again this weekend – Teddy is glimpsed here shunting on the quayside earlier today.
Steve Cockram took these great photos of the Harbour Festival weekend which not only show the attractions on show, but also showcase a lot of M Shed’s Bristol-built displays. He’s kindly given permission to reproduce the photos here, you can also check out his facebook page for more!
Carriage and Wagon Progress
The buffers have been removed from the Conflat, fresh timber added, and refitted.
The MOGO is currently housed in the engine shed while work continues on the roof. The van is pictured outside in the company of ‘Kilmersdon’.
Toad in the works
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!
‘MOGO’ Van Restoration – 6
South side of the MOGO with gloss coat on, and lettering applied. Nearly ready for the docks heritage weekend.
Portbury’s Twin Needs Your Help!
Based just a few miles away at the Avon Valley Railway is an almost identical loco to the BHR’s own ‘Portbury’, Avonside No.1798.
An appeal has been launched to get this locomotive restored and back in steam. It was the first steam loco on-site at Bitton in 1973, and worked there right up until it needed a heavy overhaul in the mid 1980s.
Built in 1918 at the same Bristol works as ‘Portbury’, it was delivered to the Imperial Smelting Works in Avonmouth, where it laboured away its whole working life.
ISC Ltd. No.2 at work in Avonmouth (Photo copyright Gordon Edgar)
The above photo appears here with the kind permission of Gordon Edgar, please take a look at his flickr site for more great railway images
When restored at the Avon Valley Railway, the loco received a plain black livery and was named ‘Edwin Hulse’ after a founder member of the railway.
En route to Bitton
The first steam-hauled trains at Bitton
A lot has changed since 1974, but this loco has seen it all!
How you can help
You can help by sponsoring one of the major parts listed in this brochure (download link) or by joining the 1798 Club whereby you covenant to donate £17.98 each month by standing order for up to 24 months. Whether you sponsor a specific item or donate monthly, you will automatically become members of the 1798 Club and be entitled to a range of benefits.
Every penny received from sponsorship or donation is spent on restoring this important engine.
Further details can be obtained by downloading the leaflet.
Please take a look at the official website for more details.
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