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.
First operating weekend of 2019 – 16/17th Feb
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Tag Archives: steam locomotive
Half term operating weekends (Feb)
Portbury was in action last weekend, despite the weather on Saturday lots of people were out! Sunday saw some sunnier climes.
All being well, trains should be operating this weekend too!
First operating weekend of 2018 – 10th/11th Feb
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.
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.
TBT – Ashton Gate Station – 1970s/1980s
RMweb user Kevin aka Rivercider has tracked down some photos of the then-closed Ashton Gate Station site, with Ashton Meadows sidings on the BHR in the background.
This one is from flickr user emmdee and shows an 08 shunting the yard.
Ashton Meadows – 1970s
Flickr user Blue_Pelican_railway uploaded this one dated 1977, showing that the warehouse on the right has now had its rail connection severed. Nature is starting to take hold of the platforms.
Ashton Meadows – 1977
Blue_Pelican_railway also uploaded this shot from May 1984 with a Billy Graham train in the foreground, and a BR Class 37 in the yard. The engineers depot was still in use at this time. The growth of surrounding foliage in the intervening years is evident.
Ashton Meadows – 1984
Bristol Harbour Railway Blog 