As of last night, (11 March) the coffer dams were removed, and it is possible to get on to the Worcester and Birmingham from the BCN.
Stanley Holland’s books for sale
Stanley Holland has given his many of his books for us to sell, (with the proceeds being split between the BCNS & Stan) A full list of the books available are on this link. The prices are as researched by Brenda – though if you feel they are worth more, more would be appreciated. Contact Brenda, either via the form below, …
Smethwick Pump House – open days in 2015.
The Galton Valley Canal Museum will again be open on the second Saturday of the month from March to October this year, from 10:00 to 15:00. These dates are:- 14th March 11th April 9th May 13th June 11th July 8th August 12th September 10th October The Museum will also be open alongside the BCNS Bonfire Rally. Learn more about it …
Worcester Bar aqueduct leakage
Having put the coffer dams in, C&RT set about pumping out the water. Come Sunday morning and the fish rescue started. There was an amazing number of film crews and photographers about (including me). The weather was definitely damp. I think the guys in the canal were probably the driest people there! …
Gas Street Basin stoppage (continued)
Midnight last night (19/20 Feb), it was clear that the pump was not coping with the leakage in through the emergency stop gates. I was told that the plan was to stanch off the section from Worcester Bar almost to Salvage Turn. This morning, the work started on the coffer dam. Though those guys are in decent dry suits, rather them than me. …
Emergency stoppage at Gas Street – continued
Having moved the boats that wished to go out of the Worcester & Birmingham side of the basin, the next thing was to shut the emergency gates, in preparation for pumping out the cut. The tug came up from Granville Street bridge, and closing the emergency gate would only take a moment. Snag – though the gate in the Worcester …
Emergency stoppage at Gas Street
The buzz went round this afternoon that the Worcester Bar was being shut as an emergency measure, because of a leak in to the disused rail tunnel that used to carry the LMS line from what is now Five Ways station to the old goods yard. Network Rail (who apparently own this aqueduct) were working on the tunnel, and when …
Work Party clearing at Titford Pools
The team worked seriously hard to clear some of the fallen trees blocking the entrance to Titford Pools. Looking at the amount of cut wood, they kept themselves warm, despite the cold (though dry) day.
Atlas – winter maintenance continues
Today we took some angle grinders to wire brush the rust and grunge off the hull below the rubbing strake, and applied a coat of bitumen. Next Saturday there will be another work party to finish the blacking, and do some preparation work on the cabin sides. Meanwhile Tony Prior was cutting …
BCN Society Spring Cruise – Saturday 11 April
We are running an informal Spring Cruise on 11 April. Meet up with your boat by Sea Life Centre / Deep Cuttings Junction in Birmingham. Travel around Oozels Loop, out onto the Main Line and into Icknield Port Loop then across the Main Line into Soho Loop passing the entrance to Hockley Port towards Smethwick then ascend the locks to the Engine …