Dean Forest Railway

Coordinates: 51°44′53″N 2°32′38″W / 51.748°N 2.544°W / 51.748; -2.544

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

Dean Forest Railway
Severn and Wye Railway Parkend Whitecroft Severn and Wye Railway Mineral Loop Tufts Bridge over River Lyd Severn and Wye Railway to Princess Royal Colliery Tufts Junction Norchard High/Low Level Middle Forge Jn Lydney Town St Mary's Halt Pidcock's Canal River Lyd Lydney Junction for Gloucester–Newport line

Railway lines in Lydney
For canal icons used below, please refer to waterways legend. Dean Forest Railway Severn and Wye Railway Mineral Loop Princess Royal Colliery Tufts Junction Tinworks Tufts Bridge Norchard High Level Norchard Low Level Engine Shed Middle Forge Junction Lydney Town St Mary's Halt Lydney Junction Severn Bridge Tunnel Severn Bridge Lydney Gloucester–Newport line Lydney Harbour Branch Pidcock's Canal Severn Railway Bridge (Dismantled 1970) Forges Lydney Canal Lower Docks Upper Docks River Severn Swing bridge over Gloucester & Sharpness Canal Locks onto River Severn River Severn Severn Bridge 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.

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 GWR signal box that stood slightly to the east of Codsall station in Staffordshire. Its removal was completed in July 2007, and was placed at the newly restored Whitecroft railway station.

The Dean Forest Railway has also 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)

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 2-6-2T 4575 Class	Operational, built in 1928.	BR lined Green with late crest
NCB No. 3889/WD 152 "Rennes"	Austerity Saddle Tank Engine 0-6-0ST	Operational, built in 1944.	LMR Blue
No. 2221	Andrew Barclay 0-4-0ST	Stored, built in 1946	N/A
No. 9681	BR(W) 0-6-0PT 5700 Class	Undergoing overhaul. Expected back in service late 2018. Built in 1949	BR Black (Early Emblem)
No. 2147 "Uskmouth 1"	Peckett and Sons 0-4-0ST	Stored, built in 1952. Arrived in 1971.	Light Green
No. 3806 "Wilbert"	Austerity Saddle Tank Engine 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
No. 3823 "Warrior"	Austerity Saddle Tank Engine 0-6-0ST	Undergoing restoration, built in 1954.	NCB Red
NCB No. 65	Austerity Saddle Tank Engine 0-6-0ST	Stored at Lydney Junction. built in 1964.	Departmental Yellow

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	Operational, Arrived from the Barry Island Railway in January 2009.	Red with Yellow ends and Wasp-Stripes	Built in 1968
No. 3947 "Planet" (Formerly "Pluto")	Hibberd 0-4-0 Diesel Mechanical Shunter	Stored at Norchard, Awaiting overhaul.	Green	Built in 1960
No. 08238 (13308 / D3308) "Charlie"	BR 0-6-0 Class 08	Stored, Light duties at Lydney Junction only	BR Blue with Wasp Stripes	Built in 1956
No. 08769 (D3937) "Gladys"	BR 0-6-0 Class 08	Operational. Re-entered service in 2013.	BR Green with wasp stripes
No. D9521	BR 0-6-0 Class 14	Operational	BR Blue
No. D9555	BR 0-6-0 Class 14	Stored awaiting repairs	BR Green
No. D7633	BR Bo-Bo Class 25	Stored awaiting overhaul; leaking header tank	BR Two-Tone Green
No. 31210	BR A1A-A1A Class 31	Undergoing restoration	N/A
No. 31466	BR A1A-A1A Class 31	Operational, recently returned from loan to East Lancs Railway (August 2017)	EWS Maroon/Gold
No. 37308	BR Co-Co Class 37	Undergoing restoration at Lydney Junction	BR Blue
No. E6001	BR Bo-Bo Class 73	Operational, recently returned from loan to East Lancs Railway (August 2017)	BR Blue	Built in 1962
No. E50619	BR Class 108 DMBS	Operational	BR Green
No. M51566	BR Class 108 DMCL	Operational	BR Green	Built in 1959
No. M51914	BR Class 108 DMBS	Operational	BR Green
No. M56492	BR Class 108 DTCL	Operational	BR Green
No. M59387	BR Class 108 TSL	Operational	BR Green

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 to until early 2014.	GWR green (as pictured)
No. 9642	BR(W) 0-6-0PT 5700 Class	Undergoing overhaul. 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
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.
No. 4953 "Pitchford Hall"	GWR 4900 Class	Undergoing overhaul. Spent its early years of Preservation at the DFR. Now at the Epping Ongar Railway. Built in 1929	BR Green
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	Operational, at the Severn Valley Railway. Spend its early years of Preservation at the DFR. Built in 1939	BR Green

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. 1499	BR(W) British Rail Class 421	Scrapped 2012.	South West Trains
No. 73002	BR Bo-Bo Class 73	Scrapped; parts donor	BR Large Logo Blue

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
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, Visits the DFR for their Day out with Thomas events only. Also was on loan for most of 2006 in normal state. Currently working at Llangollen Railway. Built in 1937.	Thomas Blue
City of Truro 3440 (3717)	GWR 3700 Class, or City Class, 4-4-0	Non Operational, Visited the DFR in 2010 for 200th anniversary of the Dean Forest Railway and in 1991. 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 running as 1369	GWR 1366 Class	Under Overhaul, Visited the DFR in 1996 now at South Devon. Built in 1934	BR Black with early emblem
1466 running 1458	GWR 1400 Class	Static Display, Visited the DFR in 1995 now at Didcot Railway Centre. Built in 1934	BR Green with early emblem
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
GWR 7800 Class 7802 'Bradley Manor'	GWR 7800 Class	Operational, at the Severn Valley Railway. Visited the DFR in 2006 for the opening of Parkend. Built in 1938	BR Green
3205	GWR 2251 Class	Under Overhaul, at the South Devon Railway . Visited the DFR in 2001 . Built in 1946	GWR Green

Visiting Diesel Locomotives and Multiple units

Number & Name	Description	Current Status	Livery	Image
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
D832 Onslaught	British_Rail_Class_42	Operational, Visited the DFR in 2018 for the Diesel Gala. Built in 1961..	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
DEMU unit 1001	British Rail Class 201	Operational, Visited the DFR in 2012 for the Diesel Gala 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

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
Hawksworth (but to Collet Standard outline)	Inspection Saloon	W80943	Operational	Chocolate and Cream	Built in 1948

Wagons

Design	Type	Number	Status	Livery	Notes	Image
SR 25 Ton	Queen Mary Brake	56303	Operational	BR Brown
GWR 20 Ton	Toad Brake	W56769	Stored	BR Grey
BR 20 Ton	Standard Brake	955224	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

References

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