The Bristol Docks tug and Fowey Docks Connection
Andrew Jones
Andrew Jones
On a memorable recent visit to Bristol Docks, I was puzzled by a name plate on the engine of the tug boat ‘John King’, which is now preserved and gives rides around the Bristol Basin. The chief engineer showed me around the engine room, which is compact and noisy.
Whilst in discussion it occurred to me that I had come across the Lister Blackstone ER6 unit, installed in ‘John King’ before.
Wading through my rail tour photographs, I came across, (and I stand to be corrected) the Cornish Branch Line Rail tour of the 20th November 1983, which if I am not mistaken shows a photograph of Class 10 D3452, in a sorry state at Fowey.
This is where the connection was made, because the Lister Blackstone ER6 was also installed in this Class 08 variant. Normally Class 08 shunters were fitted with English Electric 6KT units.
D3452 is now preserved on The Bodmin railway, one of four Class 10’s still in existence. It unfortunately has a wheel alignment problem and is restricted to use in the yard.
Incidentally I have included a semaphore signal, which shows that they were not restricted to railway use.
This one protects the Princes Street Swing Bridge adjacent the marvellous M Shed Museum.
This whole area is a delight with working harbour cranes, (which you can climb up ), the preserved Bristol Harbour Railway and numerous waterfront cafes which make for a brilliant day out. Everyone is very friendly and the staff on the ‘John King’ could not do more, to be helpful and knowledgeable.
Many thanks Andrew for your diligent research, your very interesting article and your photographs.
Whilst in discussion it occurred to me that I had come across the Lister Blackstone ER6 unit, installed in ‘John King’ before.
Wading through my rail tour photographs, I came across, (and I stand to be corrected) the Cornish Branch Line Rail tour of the 20th November 1983, which if I am not mistaken shows a photograph of Class 10 D3452, in a sorry state at Fowey.
This is where the connection was made, because the Lister Blackstone ER6 was also installed in this Class 08 variant. Normally Class 08 shunters were fitted with English Electric 6KT units.
D3452 is now preserved on The Bodmin railway, one of four Class 10’s still in existence. It unfortunately has a wheel alignment problem and is restricted to use in the yard.
Incidentally I have included a semaphore signal, which shows that they were not restricted to railway use.
This one protects the Princes Street Swing Bridge adjacent the marvellous M Shed Museum.
This whole area is a delight with working harbour cranes, (which you can climb up ), the preserved Bristol Harbour Railway and numerous waterfront cafes which make for a brilliant day out. Everyone is very friendly and the staff on the ‘John King’ could not do more, to be helpful and knowledgeable.
Many thanks Andrew for your diligent research, your very interesting article and your photographs.
Photograph 1. Class 10 Fowey Docks 20th April 1983 Copyright Andrew Jones
Photograph 2 The tug 'King John' moving in to moor at Bristol Docks. Copyright Andrew Jones
Photograph 3 The Lister Engine in 'John King' Copyright Andrew Jones
Photograph 4 Lister Engine manufactureres plate 'John King' Copyright Andrew Jones
Photograph 5 engine control panel 'john king Copyright Andrew Jones
Photograph 6 semaphore signal Princes Road Swing Bridge Copyright Andrew Jones
Carn Brea
Mike Hitchens
Mike Hitchens
50016 Barnham approaches the site of Carn Brea Station. An undated picture from the Mike Hitchens Collection
Herston
John Cornelius
John Cornelius
Copyright John Cornelius