Bristol Harbour Railway - Updates and Goings on

Well, yesterday was my first day of work on the BHR. The main task was to prep the Peckett 'Henbury' for the weekends work, among others!
Bristol harbour has a military visitor


I arrived to find Henburys fire lit having been dragged out of the shed.



The wagons covering the pit had to be shunted out of the way before oiling could be completed, once the loco had steam up and I ineffectually tried to clean some grease off the wheels!


Rob dropped the clinker out



All oiled up and ready to go, Rob collected the coal wagon from the middle siding and brought it back to the crossing where coal was loaded into the excavator bucket



Then brought the train forward to the crossover to load the coal into the bunker




Then a short jaunt down to the end of the line (By Ashton Swing Bridge) to collect the flat wagon of sleepers Rob and David had sorted previously in the week.





Before bringing the lot back to the yard and stashing them in the middle siding (Myself and Philippa on the flat wagon)






Henbury dragged her stablemate out of the shed to drain the water and remove a pipe (No idea what pipe yet though, training hasnt gotten that far!).







Then I had to run off to the office! But a very enjoyable day, thanks to David, Rob, Philippa and Rodney (For the loan of boots!)

 

Looks like you had a good time, Corbs! I'm guessing that this wasn't a public running day?

Fascinating to see life behind the scenes on this wonderful line. Out of interest, how did you become a volunteer there? I've never seen reference to any volunteer-run preservation group, associated with the line.

Keep it up though, and enjoy yourself! \/

 

Hi Basher, yeah it was really fun! I learned a lot in a relatively short space of time.
No it wasn't a public day, just warming things up for this weekend. I became a volunteer by turning up on a running day and asking a member of staff (Who turned out to be Rob) how to get involved, and he put me in touch with David Martin, the manager. If you would like to volunteer I could give you Davids number if he doesnt mind? Let me know via PM
I got my first cab ride on that day to see how they did things, with a crew from the foxfield railway.
It's really fun and kind of a novelty being located in the city.

You're right about the lack of info though, the council website doesnt have a lot of room for a lot of railway info, there is a facebook group developing though, and I was pondering building a website showing events, behind the scenes, technical info etc.

 

Oooh yes please do do the website Corbs, that would be great!!!! I'd love to see whats going on there!

And a very very good write up there 5*! =D>

I look forward to more =P~

 

Excellent Corbs many thanks for the pictures comentary

always been facinated to know how the setup was down there.

Am i right in thinking there is still uncertainty over what track this new bus way will destroy? I thought the engines were stored in the dockside warehouse (is that the one under development?) The engine shed looks awfully new!

Does the line have a diesel shunter?

 

I had wondered if the BHR had had a website, the recent Heritage Railway has some pictures of the line. Is it likely that there will be any visiting locomotives in the near future? Is the GUV still near the line? Thanks for posting the pictures.

Just a shameless plug for some of my pictures.

http://michael527.fotopic.net/c1533063.html

 

Thanks for the comments!

To be honest I dont know about the busway, it may have been a case of planners looking at a map without knowing a location.

Yes the engine shed (or 'palace' as it is referred to!) is in 'M' shed, currently being refurbished to form part of the new museum of bristol. It'll now feature a frosted glass wall on the outer side (Pretty thick glass though!) I'll try and get a pic of the works.
The 'Barn' is a temporary structure while the work is going on. Once the BHR moves back in, it'll most likely be demolished as it is sighted on the main yard loop - apparently making shunting a lot more difficult than it should be - and the site of the proposed new level crossing (The main access road is to go around the back of the quay leaving the front for rail/pedestrians only).
There is a diesel shunter that used to work at Seabank Gas Works, but it is not passed for passenger use and I think is only used on the odd occasion that a steam loco isn't available - the two tank engines bear the brunt of the work! There is also a self propelled crane.
Here is a pic:
http://bristol-rail.co.uk/wiki/index.ph ... harf12.jpg

 

Thanks those are some good pics there! That private owner wagon has now been withdrawn from service (I helped to salvage the seats for use as firewood) and with any luck will be heading off to foxfield.

The GUV is parked at the SS Great Britain halt where it has unfortunately been vandalised again

I dont know about visiting locos, but 'Portbury's boiler cert expires soon. I'd love to see 1369 back on a quayside....

 

Any idea when they're running over the Summer, Corbs?

Its a relatively short hop from where I am, to pop over for a ride...but I've never been sure of their operating dates. Any information gratefully recieved!

 

This is from the very wonderful Bristol City Council's site.

http://www.bristol.gov.uk/ccm/content/p ... wwwaplaws2

August : 1& 2, 29, 30 & 31.
Sept: 12 &13.
Oct: 3 & 4, 24 & 25, 31 & 1 Nov.

 

I will try to make it down on the 1st and 2nd August unless this is the harbour fest weekend? Otherwise see you in Sept!

 

So... I have been searching for a decent job since July so not had the time or money to spare to work on the railway, soon hopefully! I really enjoyed the little bit I did there.
BUT I have been temping just down the road so could get a few pics on my camera phone at lunch.
Some including the old through line to BTM

Eerie fog in the morning


Steam crane just visible through the mist


BTM - The old grosvenor hotel on the left, the goods only line to the docks passed over the road, on top of the building in the centre.


And the other side, BTM is behind the camera (phone)

 

The reverse shot, I'm not 100% but I think the line ran along where the fence is on the left and the retaining wall in the background was part of the permanent way


And a photostitch to show the site - towards the main line on the right, towards the docks on the left


A few oddities at BTM -
Horse trough?


And a class 31 with the NR train in the bay platform (Formerly parcels platform)

 

The old station, still very imposing!

 

Back at the docks...
The western extent of the BHR

 

Thanks for those photos Corbs. The line past the Grosvenor Hotel was last used I believe in 1965 by a class 14 diesel. Anyone confirm please? At the previous location of St Mary Redcliffe School, a former pupil assured me that when a pannier passed through the tunnel that ran below it, steam would seap up through the cracks in the playground surface. I didn't get there until Sept 66, so missed all the fun.

 

My pleasure!
Interesting to note that M and L shed were post-war buildings too, but the only ones in the area to have survived relatively intact!
My problem is I was so young when the area was being redeveloped, I cannot for the life of me remember what it looked like! Especially the old timber and coal sidings (Now housing), Cant picture it at all.

 

I have some photos taken in late 70's from where Anglo American later Glossops was, where all the coal pens were and the 4 roads of sidings may have photos of me and bunter lifting out the very tall wooden flood light posts and the telegraph poles after the track work had been lifted, also the western fuels Huddswell diesel by the shunters cabin behind the steam crane and others around that area inc the double ended pullman on the cut pair of 37's I think. if your interested i'd guess 1980 ish.

 

People are still about, I work with one of my men he is slightly past retirement, his first job at 14 leaving school was shoveling coal out of wagons at redcliffe goods yard in the winter all day. none of it was redeveloped then, knows a lot about the place.

 

Do you have any scans of these? Would love to see them!