Thanks to Jack Bayntun for these photos, showing ‘Henbury’s shiny axleboxes being fitted to test oil pipe arrangements.
Tag Archives: steam locomotive
First operating weekend of 2019 – 16/17th Feb
The BHR is back in action this weekend!
M Shed has published a list of dates up through until June, which can be viewed here.
Half term operating weekends (Feb)
First operating weekend of 2018 – 10th/11th Feb
A railtour to Avonmouth Docks – 1963
YouTube channel Unseen Steam recently posted this video of a railtour visit to Avonmouth in the days of steam.
On 21st July 1963 the RCTS ran what has been described as a “chaotic” railtour (not their fault) from Paddington to the Bristol area behind ‘Grange” class no. 6841 “Marlas Grange” which got the train to the Docks almost bang on time after a good run down the GWR main line to Swindon and then the connection to the Docks at Hallen Marsh Junction. In the Docks the train was worked by one of the Port of Bristol Authority’s tank locomotives, no S11 “Bristol”. All went well until the train was due to leave the Docks which took place around half an hour late. Further troubles ensued, with the train returning to London some one and a half hours late – many passengers had detrained at Stroud to try and find a quicker train home! (Information from http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk, with thanks to Gary Thornton)
Henbury’s Overhaul Progresses
Instagram user Alex_4472 took some photos of Henbury under overhaul. This shows the progress being made by the volunteers and staff at M Shed.
The wheels have been scraped back and are in the process of being painted, the tank and frames are also receiving attention.
The last photo shows the chimney used for donations!
Uploaded here with permission.
TBT – Peckett Party in 2015
Henbury, Kilmerson and Teddy share the dockside in this great photo.

This photo appears here with the kind permission of flickr user Captain Tower. Please do not reproduce.
Portbury the Centenarian
Just one photo from last weekend. Portbury standing at SS GB Halt.

Docks Heritage Weekend 30th Sept-1st Oct
It’s Docks Heritage Weekend tomorrow and Sunday, featuring a variety of attractions, one of the most varied weekends of the year.
Portbury was warming up outside the shed earlier this week.

Take a look at Will Stratford’s video of last year’s event showing some crane and goods action on the quayside:
More photos from the night shoot
Alistair Grieve took these great photos at the recent night photo shoot with Portbury, and has kindly given permission for them to be reproduced here.
You can see all of Ali’s photos on his smugmug site.