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

Legend
 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 National Rail
for Gloucester to Newport Line

Railway lines in Lydney

For canal icons used below, please refer to waterways legend instead.
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 to 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

Proposed future extension

Locomotives

Steam

Number & Name Description Current Status Livery
No. 5541 GWR 2-6-2T 4575 Class Operational, built in 1928.[6] BR lined Green with late crest
NCB No. 3889/WD 152 "Rennes" Austerity Saddle Tank Engine 0-6-0ST Undergoing overhaul, due to return in 2017. 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. Built in 1949 BR Black (Early Emblem)
No. 2147 "Uskmouth 1" Peckett and Sons 0-4-0ST Stored, built in 1952. Arrived in 1971.[7] Light Green
No. 3806 "Wilbert" Austerity Saddle Tank Engine 0-6-0ST Undergoing boiler repairs, built in 1953. Arrived in 1973. Named after Rev. W. Awdry in 1987. Formerly G.B Keeling.[8] Dark Blue with Red Lining
No. 3823 "Warrior" Austerity Saddle Tank Engine 0-6-0ST Undergoing restoration, built in 1954.[7] 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
No. 5622 "Don Corbett" Hunslet 0-4-0 Diesel Shunter Stored Departmental Yellow with Wasp-Stripe bufferbeams [9]
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
No. 08238 (13308 / D3308) "Charlie" BR 0-6-0 Class 08 Stored, Light duties at Lydney Junction only BR Blue with Wasp Stripes [10] 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 Green
No. D9555 BR 0-6-0 Class 14 Operational 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 [11] BR A1A-A1A Class 31 Operational, on loan to the East Lancs Railway EWS Maroon/Gold
No. 37308 BR Co-Co Class 37 Undergoing restoration at Lydney Junction BR Blue
No. E6001 [12] BR Bo-Bo Class 73 Operational, on loan to East Lancs Railway 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
No. 1450 GWR 0-4-2T 1400 Class Operational; at the Severn Valley Railway as of 2014. Built in 1928. BR lined Green with late crest
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. Built in 1901 GWR Green 1929-34 Livery
No. 5521 GWR 2-6-2T 4575 Class Under overhaul at the Flour Mill. Built in 1928. 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 4575 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 Gwilli Railway. Was at the DFR in 1990s Built in 1897. GWR Green

Former Diesel Locomotives

Number & Name Description Current Status Livery
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
No. 30587 LSWR 0298 Class Operational, Visited the DFR 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 and in 2015. Built in 1944 WD Green
Jessie Hunslet Austerity 0-6-0ST Operational, Visits the DFR for their Day out with Thomas events only. 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 Operational, 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
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
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 Operational, at the South Devon Railway . Visited the DFR in 2003 . Built in 1946 GWR Green

Visiting Diesel Locomotives and Multiple units

Number & Name Description Current Status Livery
D9537 British Rail Class 14 Operational, Visited the DFR in 2015 for the Diesel Gala. Built in 1965. BR Sand
D5343 British Rail Class 26 Operational, Visited the DFR in 2016 for the Diesel Gala. Built in 1959.. BR Blue
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 BCK 7362 awaiting overhaul None Built in 1941
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
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 Mk1 TSO 4862 Operational Chocolate and Cream
BR Mk1 TSO 4891 Operational Chocolate and Cream
BR Mk1 TSO 4980 Operational Chocolate and Cream
BR Mk1 TSO 4923 Operational Chocolate and Cream
BR Mk1 BSOT W9003 Operational Chocolate and Cream
BR Mk1 BCK W21129 Awaiting Repairs Chocolate and Cream Often labeled as 'Coach C'
BR Mk1 BSK 34742 Undergoing OverhaulNone
BR Mk1 RMB 1803 Operational Chocolate and Cream
BR Mk1 RBR M1665 Operational Maroon "Rosie" - Part of Royal Forester Dining Train
BR Mk1 RMB 1829 Operational Maroon Part of Royal Forester Dining Train

Coach type codes

The stock includes number of other coaches including a few at Lydney Jcn, in the DFDA siding; and at Norchard (cafe).

Wagons

Design Type Number Status Livery Notes
SR 25 Ton Queen Mary Brake 56303 Operational BR Brown
GWR 20 Ton Toad Brake W56769 Stored GWR Grey
SR 20 Ton Standard Brake 56303 Stored BR Brown
LMS 20 Ton Standard Brake 732400 Operational BR Brown
BR 20 Ton Shark Brake DB993901 Operational BR Grey

References

  1. ↑ "Dean Forest Railway History". Dean Forest Railway website. Dean Forest Railway. Retrieved 11 March 2012.
  2. ↑ "A combination of rail and add-on discounted ticket to Dean Forest Railway". National Rail Enquiries. Retrieved 11 March 2012.
  3. ↑ "Trains to the Dean Forest Railway". CrossCountry. Retrieved 11 March 2012.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Dean Forest Railway History". Dean Forest Railway website. Dean Forest Railway. Retrieved 14 November 2012.
  5. 1 2 "Dean Forest Railway announces 7 years to Cinderford". Unseen Steam. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
  6. ↑ "5541 - Great Western Prairie". Dean Forest Railway website. Dean Forest Railway. Retrieved 11 March 2012.
  7. 1 2 "Dean Forest Railway Locomotives". Dean Forest Railway website. Dean Forest Railway. Retrieved 11 March 2012.
  8. ↑ "Hunslet Austerity 3806 "Wilbert"". Dean Forest Railway website. Dean Forest Railway. Retrieved 11 March 2012.
  9. ↑ "Don Corbett undergoing restoration at Norchard". Flickr. Retrieved 11 March 2012.
  10. ↑ "08238 and 08769 at Parkend during the 2010 Diesel Gala". Flickr. Retrieved 11 March 2012.
  11. ↑ "31466 at Lydney Town during the 2010 Diesel Gala". Flickr. Retrieved 11 March 2012.
  12. ↑ "E6001 approaches Lydney Town during the 2010 Diesel Gala". Flickr. Retrieved 11 March 2012.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Dean Forest Railway.
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 11/26/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.