Avon Valley Railway Updates and Videos

For the AVR, I'm prepared to agree with that. I do however wonder what the wider industry feels about this, given the issues around graffiti

 

Your introductory point is well taken. However, whether this particular income source will have a positive cost/benefit ratio, across the heritage rail sector as a whole, is impossible to accurately predict; I reckon we will just have to try it and see.

Of course, it will probably be impossible to accurately enumerate the downside; when some vandals cause a lot of damage by painting a train, will that have been inspired by this, or not? There are certainly already vandals causing a lot of damage by painting trains, without needing this to inspire them.

I do worry that this will send a message, to some, that society approves of such behaviour, though.

Noel

 

Just a reminder a week today, Wednesday 10th June, I'm giving a talk on the Imperial Smelting Railway in Avonnouth, with the talk at Bitton station - ticket details below. In researching the talk, I've dug out unseen photos of the Avonside loco, now preserved at Bitton, working at the smelting works. Plus shots I took nearly 50 years ago of the loco working at Bitton.

Talk details below. There is an entry charge, which helps raise money to restore the Avonside loco and wider help the AVR.

The Avonmouth Smelting Works and The Avonside Loco "Edwin Hulse"

Date: Wed 10 Jun • 18:30

Location: Avon Valley Railway (Bitton Station)

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-...979d08869f6f2ffc0d14ef4145e9995fc2693882bc12a

 

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/197UbJJeAH/

⚠️UPDATE FOR THIS WEEKEND - 25 & 26 July

Trains on Saturday 25 July are cancelled.

A limited train service is still available on Sunday 26 July. The 10:45, 12:00 and 13:15 services will be running with limited capacity for walk-up tickets only. The 14:30 and 15:45 trains will be reserved for dining only with unfortunately no capacity for walk-up fares.
These changes to our scheduled running are due to unforseen changes to our planned locomotive allocation.

Thank you for understanding, and we hope to see you again soon.



It seems with the withdrawal of Karel and both 31s out of action, the only available loco is WD70041.

 

Is the Sentinel still available? When I last visited it was topping and tailing with Karel.

 

The sentinel is current awaiting its annual boiler exam, and is not available for traffic.

 

The railway desperately needs a steam loco. Is there any possibility of privately owned GWR 6695 returning to service? [BJ]

 

Presumably if it were available at a daily rate the railway could accept it would be in use. From their website and discounting the 4f and the Sentinel, the Avon Valley has four locos any of which would be capable of operating trains if in working condition. Some of these have been "under repair " since Nelson had both eyes ( to coin a phrase). The need to withdraw Karel would have been known about for years. There must have been some contingency plan. Does the railway no longer have a core of volunteers skilled in steam loco repairs? Is contracting the work out unaffordable?

 

6695 is still on site but stopped for firebox repairs. It was expected 6695 would replace the Ferrum until the Avonside was ready, but that plan was foiled by the 6695 firebox issues. It is planned to send the Ferrum away for overhaul and it will hopefully be back within a couple of years. Likewise work on the Avonside proceeds but it's a way off yet. Best-laid plans....

 

Good one! (I checked, and it seems to be new; I propose to remember it, and use it; hope that's OK.)

Noel

 

In fairness, they've relied heavily on hired-in locos in recent years - Wimblebury was there for 2 years I think, and then HC Jennifer for a few months until its ticket expired.

 

Avon valley railway heritage trust is trying to buy class 117 Dmu for future use on the line donations towards this can be made at avrht.org/dmu gift can be applied as well for those eligable.

The unit was locally based at Bath Road in the 1980s and would be a useful asset with its excellent views and being owned by the trust would save higher fees with a changing climate it will be ideal to run during the hot summers we are getting

 

Has the AVR just received a new steam locomotive resident? A photo on instagram suggests so?

 

What Instagram account is that on?

 

The loco is Charwelton, for running in after overhaul at Bill Parker's.

 

Surprised it didn't go to the Dean Forest, given their proximity to the Flour Mill, but I suppose it's who has time and space to let it be run in.

 

And who don't currently have a steam ban in place.

 

Also, wasn't there a falling out between them recently? Dean Forest were supposed to have "Willy The Well Tank" and the Coffee Pot for a gala but he pulled them at the last minute?!

 

I'm not sure how many coaches Charwelton could pull but it would be good to see it in service after running in. <BJ>

 

Brand new cylinder block, so should be much improved on previous running. Likely to leave for the KESR once run in, but you never know....