Dean Forest Railway

The Dean Forest Railway is a 4 14-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
LocaleWest Gloucestershire
Commercial operations
Built bySevern & Wye Railway
Original gaugeTramway (prior to 1868)
7 ft 14 in (2,140 mm) Brunel gauge (1868 to 1872)
4 ft 8 12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge (from 1872)
Preserved operations
Stations5 open
Length4 14 miles (6.8 km)
Preserved gauge4 ft 8 12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Commercial history
Opened1813
1868Converted to 7 ft 14 in (2,140 mm) Brunel gauge
1872Converted to 4 ft 8 12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Closed1977
Preservation history
1970The Society is formed
1971First open day at Parkend
1978First open day at Norchard
1983The Duke of Gloucester visits
1986Route purchased from BR
1991Norchard to Lakeside opened
1995Lakeside to Junction opened
2001Lydney Town opened
2002Norchard to Tufts opened
2003Tufts to Whitecroft opened
2006Parkend opened by HRH Princess Anne
2012Whitecroft opened
HeadquartersNorchard
Dean Forest Railway
Parkend
Whitecroft
Tufts Bridge
over River Lyd
Severn and Wye Railway
to Princess Royal Colliery
Tufts Junction
Norchard
High Level | Low Level
Lydney Town
St Mary's Halt
Pidcock's Canal
Lydney Junction
for Gloucester–Newport line
Railway lines in Lydney

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

Princess Royal Colliery
Tufts Junction
Tinworks
Tufts Bridge
Norchard High Level
Norchard Low Level
Engine Shed
Lydney Town
St Mary's Halt
Lydney Junction
Severn Bridge Tunnel
Severn Bridge
Lydney
Lydney Harbour Branch
Pidcock's Canal
Severn Railway Bridge
(Dismantled 1970)
Forges
Lydney Canal
Lower Docks
Upper Docks
Swing bridge over
Gloucester & Sharpness Canal
Locks onto River Severn
River Severn

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 12 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 34 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 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
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
No. 08769 (D3937) "Gladys" BR 0-6-0DE Class 08 Operational. Re-entered service in 2013. BR Green with wasp stripes 1960
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
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 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

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
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
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 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
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

DesignTypeNumberStatusLiveryNotes
Collett StandardTK5813StaticChocolate and CreamBuilt in 1934 Used as sales coach to raise funds for 0-6-0PT No. 9681
Collett StandardTK5863StaticChocolate and CreamBuilt in 1934 Used as volunteer accommodation coach
Collett StandardBCK7362awaiting overhaulNoneBuilt in 1941. Restoration due to start when overhaul of loco 9682 is completed.
Hawksworth (but to Collet Standard outline)Inspection SaloonW80943OperationalChocolate and CreamBuilt in 1948

British Railways coaching stock

DesignTypeNumberStatusLiveryNotes
BR XP64TSO4729StoredChocolate and CreamA grant is being sought to restore 4729 to service.
BR Mk1TSO4862Under OverhaulMaroon (upon completion)In the shed at Norchard
BR Mk1TSO4891StoredChocolate and Cream
BR Mk1TSO4980OperationalChocolate and Cream
BR Mk1TSO4923Under OverhaulMaroon (upon completion)At williton on WSR for the work
BR Mk1BSOT9003OperationalMaroon
BR Mk1BCK21129StoredChocolate and Cream
BR Mk1BCK21267To be accommodationMaroonTo be used for volunteer accommodation initially with a view to possible passenger service in the medium term
BR Mk1BSK34742OperationalMaroonEntered traffic for the first time in preservation in December 2018.
BR Mk1RMB1803StoredChocolate and Cream
BR Mk1BG80654StaticMaroonUsed as part of cafe kitchen at Norchard.
BR Mk1BG81380Used for storageMaroonAt Lydney Junction, was used on passenger trains 2002–2004.
BR Mk2TSO5175OperationalMaroonNewly acquired and arrived at the DFR in November 2018.
BR Mk2aTSO5341OperationalMaroonNewly acquired and arrived at the DFR in July 2019.

Coach type codes

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

DesignTypeNumberStatusLiveryNotesImage
SR 25 TonQueen Mary Brake56303OperationalBR Brown
BR 20 TonStandard Brake955224StoredBR Brown
LMS 20 TonStandard Brake732268StoredBR Brown
LMS 20 TonStandard Brake732400OperationalBR Brown
BR 20 TonShark BrakeDB993901OperationalBR Grey
GWR 20 TonToad BrakeW68480OperationalBR Grey
GWR 20 TonToad Brake17488Awaiting repairsGWR GreyPurchased from the GWR Preservation Group alongside Pannier 9682, arrived April 2019

References

  1. "Dean Forest Railway History". Dean Forest Railway website. Dean Forest Railway. Archived from the original on 15 December 2011. 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. Archived from the original on 24 May 2012. Retrieved 11 March 2012.
  4. "Dean Forest Railway History". Dean Forest Railway website. Dean Forest Railway. Archived from the original on 23 July 2013. Retrieved 14 November 2012.
  5. "Dean Forest Railway announces 7 years to Cinderford". Unseen Steam. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
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