Dean Forest Railway
The Dean Forest Railway is a 4 1⁄4-mile (6.8 km) long heritage railway that runs between Lydney and Parkend in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire.
| Dean Forest Railway | |
|---|---|
 9681 north of Lydney Junction station | |
| Locale | West Gloucestershire |
| Commercial operations | |
| Built by | Severn & Wye Railway |
| Original gauge | Tramway (prior to 1868) 7 ft 1⁄4 in (2,140 mm) Brunel gauge (1868 to 1872) 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge (from 1872) |
| Preserved operations | |
| Stations | 5 open |
| Length | 4 1⁄4 miles (6.8 km) |
| Preserved gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
| Commercial history | |
| Opened | 1813 |
| 1868 | Converted to 7 ft 1⁄4 in (2,140 mm) Brunel gauge |
| 1872 | Converted to 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
| Closed | 1977 |
| Preservation history | |
| 1970 | The Society is formed |
| 1971 | First open day at Parkend |
| 1978 | First open day at Norchard |
| 1983 | The Duke of Gloucester visits |
| 1986 | Route purchased from BR |
| 1991 | Norchard to Lakeside opened |
| 1995 | Lakeside to Junction opened |
| 2001 | Lydney Town opened |
| 2002 | Norchard to Tufts opened |
| 2003 | Tufts to Whitecroft opened |
| 2006 | Parkend opened by HRH Princess Anne |
| 2012 | Whitecroft opened |
| Headquarters | Norchard |
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Railway lines in Lydney | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The route was part of the former Severn and Wye Railway which ran from Lydney to Cinderford. The society that operates the line started steam locomotive operations in 1971, and bought the trackbed and line from British Rail in 1986, reaching both Lydney Junction and Parkend railway stations by 1995 and 2005 respectively.[1] Trains are operated by both steam and heritage diesel locomotives, and heritage diesel multiple units.
The Dean Forest Railway has been given the former Griffithstown Station building. Its removal was completed in June 2016, and is expected to be placed at the new upcoming Speech House Road.
CrossCountry are now providing a combined fare for travel to Lydney mainline station (on CrossCountry services only) and then onto the Dean Forest Railway.[2][3]
The Dean Forest Railway plans to extend its heritage services a further 2 1⁄2 miles (4.0 km) through/into the middle of the Royal Forest at Speech House Road (close to the nearby Beechenhurst Visitor Attraction), bringing the line to a total of about 6 3⁄4 miles (10.9 km) in length.[4] In 2016, DFR's director of civil engineering and director of development Jason Shirley announced plans to expand the railway to Cinderford. The project's status as a strategic regional development means that a large proportion of the estimated £8million cost could be met by Government funding.[5]
Stations and Junctions of the DFR
- Lydney Junction (Terminus)
- St Mary's Halt (now closed, yet still in place).
- Lydney Town
- Middle Forge Junction – Line splits into High and Low Levels. No Station.
- Norchard Low Level (Terminus) - includes a railway museum and shop
- Norchard High Level - ramp and steps from Norchard Low Level
- Tufts Junction – Historic junction with disused mineral loop and freight branch. No Station.
- Whitecroft
- Parkend (Current Terminus)
Proposed future extension
- Coleford Junction Halt[4]
- Bicslade Wharf[4]
- Speech House Road[4]
- Cinderford[5]
Locomotives
1450 passes through Oakenwood, just north of Whitecroft.
9681 hauling goods into Parkend.
1450 masquerading as 1401 as part of DFR's Titfield Thunderbolt Weekend.
Steam
| Number & Name | Description | Current Status | Livery | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 5541 | GWR 4575 Class 2-6-2T | Operational, built in 1928. Owned by the Dean Forest Locomotive Group. Boiler ticket expires in 2023. | BR lined Green with late crest |  |
| NCB No. 3880/WD 152 "Rennes" | Austerity 0-6-0ST | Operational, built in 1944. Boiler ticket expires in 2027. | LMR Blue |  |
| No. 2221 | Andrew Barclay 0-4-0ST | Stored, built in 1946 | N/A |  |
| No. 9681 | BR(W) 0-6-0PT GWR 5700 Class | Owned by the Dean Forest Locomotive Group. Undergoing overhaul. Expected back in service sometime during 2021. Built in 1949. | BR Black (Early Emblem) |  |
| No. 9682 | BR(W) 0-6-0PT GWR 5700 Class | Bought by the Dean Forest Locomotive Group in late 2018. Overhaul had begun under previous owners, GWR. Preservation Group Ltd at Southall Railway Centre and arrived at Lydney on 10 April 2019. Overhaul will resume once 9681 is completed. 9682 was the 100th locomotive to leave Barry Scrapyard. Built in 1949. | BR Black |  |
| No. 2147 "Uskmouth 1" | Peckett and Sons 0-4-0ST | Undergoing restoration, built in 1952. Arrived in 1971. DFR first loco. | Light Green |  |
| No. 3806 "Wilbert" | Austerity 0-6-0ST | Stored awaiting boiler repairs, built in 1953. Arrived in 1973. Named after Rev. W. Awdry in 1987. Formerly G.B Keeling. | Dark Blue with Red Lining | .jpg.webp) |
| No. 3823 "Warrior" | Austerity 0-6-0ST | Stored, built in 1954. | NCB Red |  |
| NCB No. 3889/NCB 65 | Austerity 0-6-0ST | Stored at Lydney Junction. built in 1964. | Departmental Yellow |  |
| No 2413 Gunby | 0-6-0ST | Undergoing overhaul. built in 1941. | Lined Black |  |
Diesel and electric
| Number & Name | Description | Current Status | Livery | Year | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 4210127 | Fowler 0-4-0DM Diesel Shunter | Stored awaiting overhaul. | N/A |  | |
| No. 5622 "Don Corbett" | Hunslet 0-4-0 Diesel Shunter | Operational | Departmental Yellow with Wasp-Stripe bufferbeams |  | |
| No. 6688 "Salty" | Hunslet 0-4-0 Diesel Shunter | Undergoing overhaul, Arrived from the Barry Island Railway in January 2009. | Red with Yellow ends and Wasp-Stripes | 1968 |  |
| No. 3947 "Planet" (Formerly "Pluto") | Hibberd 0-4-0DM Shunter | Stored at Norchard, Awaiting overhaul. | Green | 1960 |  |
| No. 08238 (13308 / D3308) "Charlie" | BR 0-6-0DE Class 08 | Stored, Light duties at Lydney Junction only | BR Blue with Wasp Stripes | 1956 | .jpg.webp) |
| No. 08769 (D3937) "Gladys" | BR 0-6-0DE Class 08 | Operational. Re-entered service in 2013. | BR Green with wasp stripes | 1960 | .jpg.webp) |
| No. D9521 | BR 0-6-0 Class 14 | Operational | BR Blue | 1964 |  |
| No. D9555 | BR 0-6-0 Class 14 | Stored awaiting repairs | BR Green | 1965 |  |
| No. 31210 | BR A1A-A1A Class 31 | Undergoing restoration | N/A | 1960 |  |
| No. 31235 | BR A1A-A1A Class 31 | Stored | BR Blue | 1960 | |
| No. 31466 | BR A1A-A1A Class 31 | Undergoing overhaul | EWS Maroon/Gold | 1959 |  |
| No. E50619 | BR Class 108 DMBS | Undergoing repairs | BR Green | 1958 |  |
| No. M51566 | BR Class 108 DMCL | Undergoing repairs | BR Green | 1959 |  |
| No. M51914 | BR Class 108 DMBS | Operational | BR Green | 1961 |  |
| No. M56492 | BR Class 108 DTCL | Operational | BR Green | 1960 |  |
| No. M59387 | BR Class 108 TSL | Undergoing repairs | BR Green | 1958 |  |
| No.W50632 | BR Class 108 DMCL | Stored for parts | BR Blue & Grey | 1958 | |
| No.W52044 | BR Class 108 DMCL | Stored for parts | BR Blue & Grey | 1960 | |
Former Steam Locomotives
| Number & Name | Description | Current Status | Livery | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 1450 | GWR 0-4-2T 1400 Class | Operational; at the Severn Valley Railway. Built in 1935. Was resident from 2004 until early 2014. | GWR green (as pictured) |  |
| No. 9642 | BR(W) 0-6-0PT 5700 Class | Undergoing overhaul. Resident from 1998 to 2004 when owned by the South Wales Pannier Group. Sold to the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway in 2005. Built in 1946 | BR Black (Early Emblem) |  |
| No. 813 | GWR Port Talbot Railway 0-6-0ST | Operational. Now at the Severn Valley Railway. Built in 1901. Was on hire for the 2004 season. | GWR Green 1929-34 Livery | .jpg.webp) |
| No. 5521 | GWR 2-6-2T 4575 Class | Under overhaul at the Flour Mill. Built in 1928. Had running in tests during early 2007, before spells on the railway between 2010 and 2012, before returning briefly in October 2016 appearing as L150. | London Transport Maroon, running as number L.150. | _(2).jpg.webp) |
| No. 4953 "Pitchford Hall" | GWR 4900 Class | Operational. Spent its early years of Preservation at the DFR. Now at the Epping Ongar Railway. Built in 1929 | BR Lined Black (Early Emblem) |  |
| No. 4150 | GWR 2-6-2T 5101 Class | Restoration in progress at the Severn Valley Railway. Spent its early years of Preservation at the DFR 1974 - 1977. Built in 1947. | BR Green |  |
| 28 | Taff Vale Railway O1 class | Restoration in progress at the Gwili Railway. Was at the DFR in 1990s Built in 1897. | GWR Green |  |
| GWR 7800 Class 7812 'Erlestoke Manor' | GWR 7800 Class | Under Overhaul at Tyseley Locomotive Works, but based at the Severn Valley Railway. Spend its early years of Preservation at the DFR. Built in 1939 | BR Green | .jpg.webp) |
Former Diesel Locomotives
| Number & Name | Description | Current Status | Livery | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 2145 | Hunslet 0-4-0DM Diesel Shunter | Moved to Tanet Valley Light Railway | Green | |
| No. 08473 | BR Class 08 | Scrapped, Spares for 08734. | BR Blue |  |
| No. 08734 | BR Class 08 | Undergoing Restoration. | BR Blue |  |
| No. D7633 | BR Bo-Bo Class 25 | Sold; awaiting overhaul; leaking header tank | BR Two-Tone Green |  |
| No. 37308 | BR Co-Co Class 37 | Moved to the Severn Valley Railway | BR Blue |  |
| No. 47524 | BR Co-Co Class 47 | Scrapped | Rail_Express_Systems | |
| No. 73001 | BR Bo-Bo Class 73 | Sold; Operational | BR Blue |  |
| No. 73002 | BR Bo-Bo Class 73 | Sold; parts donor | BR Large Logo Blue |  |
| No. 1499 | BR(W) British Rail Class 421 | Scrapped 2012. | South West Trains |  |
Visiting Steam Locomotives
| Number & Name | Description | Current Status | Livery | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 41312 | LMS Ivatt Class 2 2-6-2T 1312 | Operational, Visited the DFR in 2018 for the Royal Forest of Steam Gala. Built in 1952. | BR Black with late emblem | .jpg.webp) |
| No. 30587 | LSWR 0298 Class | Operational, Visited the DFR in 2009 for the Severn & Wye 200th Anniversary Gala and then in 2016 for the Flour Mill 20th Anniversary Gala. Built in 1874. | BR Black with early emblem |  |
| No. 30120 | LSWR T9 Class | Operational, Visited the DFR in 2016 for the Flour Mill 20th Anniversary Gala. Built in 1899. | BR Lined Black with early emblem |  |
| Met No.1 | Metropolitan Railway E Class | Operational, Visited the DFR in 2016 for the Flour Mill 20th Anniversary Gala. Built in 1898. | Metropolitan Railways Red |  |
| WD 132 Sapper | Hunslet Austerity 0-6-0ST | Operational, Visited the DFR in 2011, 2015 and 2017. Built in 1944 | WD Green |  |
| 75008 Swiftsure | Hunslet Austerity 0-6-0ST | Operational, Visited the DFR in 2017 / 2018. Built in 1943 | WD Green |  |
| Jessie | Hunslet Austerity 0-6-0ST | Operational, and had visited the DFR for their Day Out with Thomas events as Thomas the Tank Engine. Also was on loan for most of 2006 in normal state. Having been working at Llangollen Railway for many years, 2019 saw a move to the Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway will return for the 2019 Gala. Built in 1937. | Black with Wasp Stripes |  |
| City of Truro 3440 (3717) | GWR 3700 Class, or City Class, 4-4-0 | Non Operational, Visited the DFR in 1991 for the opening of St Marys Halt (then called Lydney Lakeside) and again in 2010 for 200th anniversary of the Severn & Wye Railway. Built in 1903 | GWR Green |  |
| 41708 (1704) | Midland Railway 1377 Class | Non Operational, Visited the DFR in 1994 and when run as a half cab now at Barrow Hill Engine Shed. Built in 1880 | BR Black with early emblem |  |
| 1369 | GWR 1366 Class | Operational. Visited the DFR in 1996 now at South Devon. Built in 1934 | GWR Green with Shirtbutton Emblem |  |
| 1466 | GWR 1400 Class | Under Overhaul at Norchard by Western Steam Engineering and due to return to traffic by 2021. Visited the DFR in 1995. Built in 1934 | BR Green with early emblem | .jpg.webp) |
| 47383 | LMS Fowler Class 3F | Static Display, Visited the DFR in 1995 now at Severn Valley Railway. Built in 1926 | BR Green with early emblem | .jpg.webp) |
| GWR 7800 Class 7802 'Bradley Manor' | GWR 7800 Class | Undergoing repairs, at the Severn Valley Railway. Visited the DFR in 2006 for the opening of Parkend. Built in 1938 | BR Green |  |
| 3205 | GWR 2251 Class | Stored, at the South Devon Railway . Visited the DFR in 2001 . Built in 1946 | GWR Green |  |
| 5199 | GWR 5101 Class | Operational, at the Llangollen Railway. Visited the DFR in 2019 . Built in 1934 | BR Black |  |
Visiting Diesel Locomotives and Multiple units
| Number & Name | Description | Current Status | Livery | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. D2069 | British Rail Class 03 | Operational, Visited the DFR in 2019 for the Diesel Gala. Built in 1959. | BR Green |  |
| D9537 | British Rail Class 14 | Operational, Visited the DFR in 2015 for the Diesel Gala. Built in 1965. | BR Sand |  |
| D8568 | British Rail Class 17 | Operational, Visited the DFR in 2017 for the Diesel Gala. Built in 1963. | BR Green |  |
| D8188/20059 | British Rail Class 20 | Operational, Visited the DFR in 2017 for the Diesel Gala. Built in 1961. | BR Green |  |
| D5343 | British Rail Class 26 | Operational, Visited the DFR in 2016 for the Diesel Gala. Built in 1959.. | BR Blue |  |
| 33063/ D6583 R.J. Mitchell | British Rail Class 33 | Operational, Visiting the DFR in 2019 for the Diesel Gala. Built in 1962. | Railfreight Mainline Sector |  |
| D832 Onslaught | British Rail Class 42 | Operational, Visited the DFR in 2018 for the Diesel Gala. | BR Green |  |
| 79900 'Iris' | British Rail Derby Lightweight | Operational, Visited the DFR in 2016 for the DMU Convention Gala. | BR Green |  |
| 150244 | British Rail Class 150 | Operational, Visited the DFR on 22.3.2014 with a through train from Gloucester to Parkend for the Multiple Unit Festival. | FGW local | .jpg.webp) |
| DEMU unit 1001 | British Rail Class 201 | Operational, Visited the DFR in 2012 and 2019 with a rail tour from Hastings. Build 1957. | BR Green |  |
For the 2001 diesel gala a number of diesel were display at Lydney Junction. These were 37029,37308,37906, D172, 47306, 56111, 60081, 66250 and 66524.
Coaches
The main running set is a mix of BR Mark 1 and 2 stock. Two Mark 2 carriages were purchased by the DFR Society in 2018 so that the Mark 1s could be overhauled. In early 2020, all the Mark 1 and 2s were transferred ownership from the Forest of Dean Railway limited company to the DFR society, including XP64 number 4729.
Great Western Railway coaching stock
| Design | Type | Number | Status | Livery | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Collett Standard | TK | 5813 | Static | Chocolate and Cream | Built in 1934 Used as sales coach to raise funds for 0-6-0PT No. 9681 | |
| Collett Standard | TK | 5863 | Static | Chocolate and Cream | Built in 1934 Used as volunteer accommodation coach | |
| Collett Standard | BCK | 7362 | awaiting overhaul | None | Built in 1941. Restoration due to start when overhaul of loco 9682 is completed. | |
| Hawksworth (but to Collet Standard outline) | Inspection Saloon | W80943 | Operational | Chocolate and Cream | Built in 1948 |  |
British Railways coaching stock
| Design | Type | Number | Status | Livery | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BR XP64 | TSO | 4729 | Stored | Chocolate and Cream | A grant is being sought to restore 4729 to service. |
| BR Mk1 | TSO | 4862 | Under Overhaul | Maroon (upon completion) | In the shed at Norchard |
| BR Mk1 | TSO | 4891 | Stored | Chocolate and Cream | |
| BR Mk1 | TSO | 4980 | Operational | Chocolate and Cream | |
| BR Mk1 | TSO | 4923 | Under Overhaul | Maroon (upon completion) | At williton on WSR for the work |
| BR Mk1 | BSOT | 9003 | Operational | Maroon | |
| BR Mk1 | BCK | 21129 | Stored | Chocolate and Cream | |
| BR Mk1 | BCK | 21267 | To be accommodation | Maroon | To be used for volunteer accommodation initially with a view to possible passenger service in the medium term |
| BR Mk1 | BSK | 34742 | Operational | Maroon | Entered traffic for the first time in preservation in December 2018. |
| BR Mk1 | RMB | 1803 | Stored | Chocolate and Cream | |
| BR Mk1 | BG | 80654 | Static | Maroon | Used as part of cafe kitchen at Norchard. |
| BR Mk1 | BG | 81380 | Used for storage | Maroon | At Lydney Junction, was used on passenger trains 2002–2004. |
| BR Mk2 | TSO | 5175 | Operational | Maroon | Newly acquired and arrived at the DFR in November 2018. |
| BR Mk2a | TSO | 5341 | Operational | Maroon | Newly acquired and arrived at the DFR in July 2019. |
Coach type codes
- BCK – Brake Composite Corridor
- BSK – Brake Standard Corridor
- BSOT – Brake Standard Open (Micro-Buffet)
- RMB – Restaurant Miniature Buffet
- TSO – Tourist Standard Open
- BG – Brake Gangwayed
Wagons
There are lots different types of wagons at the DFR. Some are used for display and other for engineering works. Many of the wagons can be seen in sidings along the line. Sometime the DFR runs ride on fright trains where passenger can ride on the brakevans.
Brakevans
| Design | Type | Number | Status | Livery | Notes | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SR 25 Ton | Queen Mary Brake | 56303 | Operational | BR Brown |  | |
| BR 20 Ton | Standard Brake | 955224 | Stored | BR Brown | ||
| LMS 20 Ton | Standard Brake | 732268 | Stored | BR Brown | ||
| LMS 20 Ton | Standard Brake | 732400 | Operational | BR Brown |  | |
| BR 20 Ton | Shark Brake | DB993901 | Operational | BR Grey |  | |
| GWR 20 Ton | Toad Brake | W68480 | Operational | BR Grey |  | |
| GWR 20 Ton | Toad Brake | 17488 | Awaiting repairs | GWR Grey | Purchased from the GWR Preservation Group alongside Pannier 9682, arrived April 2019 |
References
- "Dean Forest Railway History". Dean Forest Railway website. Dean Forest Railway. Archived from the original on 15 December 2011. Retrieved 11 March 2012.
- "A combination of rail and add-on discounted ticket to Dean Forest Railway". National Rail Enquiries. Retrieved 11 March 2012.
- "Trains to the Dean Forest Railway". CrossCountry. Archived from the original on 24 May 2012. Retrieved 11 March 2012.
- "Dean Forest Railway History". Dean Forest Railway website. Dean Forest Railway. Archived from the original on 23 July 2013. Retrieved 14 November 2012.
- "Dean Forest Railway announces 7 years to Cinderford". Unseen Steam. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Dean Forest Railway. |
- Dean Forest Railway Website
- Historical site
- Dean Forest Diesel Association
- Dean Forest Railway Society Website
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