Saturday, February 15, 2020

Saturday Film Club: Bristol Harbour Railway 1991



A nice trip on an enthusiasts train around the Bristol Harbour Railway nearly 30 years ago. Film quality isn't bad, but it's worth a look nonetheless. 

I wonder about modelling a train like this. We are talking about some benches in a nice, clean PO wagon and a few people. I've not seen it done before...

4 comments:

Huw Griffiths said...

"I've not seen it done before..."

In view of those dots at the end of your post, I'm guessing that you might actually mean something along the lines of not having seen it published / posted online before.

Welcome to the world of an alternative cakebox challenge, in which people build a complete train in a 12" cakebox.

Let's think - a saddle tank - a 4 wheel open wagon (with a couple of benches thrown together from coffee stirrers and bits of wire) - and a "Toad". I'm no expert - but I wouldn't be surprised if this worked in OO - especially if the track were laid diagonally.

Of course, I'm not suggesting that anyone actually goes and builds this - but, at least the loco and guard's van come from the right part of the country.

I know - other railway companies were also available - but I suspect that the lines to Bristol docks would definitely have had a strong "flavour" of "God's Wonderful Railway".

There's also the little matter of a nearby tourist attraction - the SS Great Britain - which also had something to do with a certain gentleman by the name of Brunel.

In other words, I wouldn't expect to see too many (or any) locos or wagons from other railway companies around there.


Incidentally, there are a number of other videos of this railway on the internet. In one (from Callum Bagg, in March last year), the saddle tank is in a lined grey livery, whilst a second "carriage" appears in the train - a bogie vehicle built up in a similar style. I'm not completely sure about the origins of this vehicle (but I suspect that something very similar could be built using a Mk 1 coach underframe).

Jim said...

Handy idea for people who don't want to weather their Pecketts!

Huw Griffiths said...

Absolutely.

Although, in regular use, locos like these would soon have been covered in soot (or something similar), they certainly look attractive in clean, polished, "trim".

I must admit, though, that I was very interested to read that this railway's modern incarnation also has a Diesel.

That's right - all that's needed to complete the scene are some OHLE and some locos with pantographs.

OK - perhaps not - they probably wouldn't have been very "practical" around docks, with a crane.

matt scrutton said...

North Dock was directly inspired by the Bristol harbour railway. I have many memories of it. My favourite is of being hauled by B110 the LB&SCR E1 tank during the Festival of the Sea in about 1995 (I think).