Tag Archives: volunteers

Training Day

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Recently the BHR did a training weekend for the operating staff and volunteers. This started with a session in the classroom going over rules, conduct, risks and procedures.

Then it was out to the engine shed for a briefing on train movements and safe working practice. Then each person took it in turns to stop traffic and wave the locomotive (1369) across the crossings. This was followed by a demonstration and practice on points in the yard, then understanding how to call a locomotive onto a train, operation of hand brakes, shunting pole and the correct protocol for coupling/uncoupling including vacuum hoses.

At the end of the day there was some shunting required to get the Toad back to the shed in order for the work on its underframe to be completed and the springs refitted.

Thanks to Katie Richards and Bob Edwardes for the photos.

Toad brake van repainted

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The Bristol Harbour Railway is 40 years old this year!

In 1978 a group of keen and like minded people began operating steam train rides on Bristol’s harbourside. They had one working locomotive and an ex-GW brake van.

Henbury and the TOAD outside M Shed in 1979 (Courtesy John Law)

Since then, the van has given thousands of passengers rides up and down the line. It is essential to the running of the railway, becoming the leading end of the train when being propelled, and the large veranda gives a good field of vision for the guard.

Over the winter of 2017-2018, the van has been taken into the shed and been given a makeover. Rotten wood has been repaired, the whole vehicle has been sanded down and repainted, and it now sports a ‘Bristol’ allocation.

It looks very smart and is a credit to the volunteers and employees at M Shed.

I am trying to find out more information on the history of this brake van before it came to the BHR. If anyone does know of its past life, please do leave a comment below.