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Dean Forest Railway |
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Region |
Location:
(Norchard)
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Preserved: WalesRails: Back to Welcome page |
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Dean Forest Railway |
||
Region |
Location:
(Norchard)
|
Preserved: WalesRails: Back to Welcome page |
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History........The
line today........Locomotives and rolling stock .......Days, times and fares
The Branchline Experience........How
to get there
Although the Dean Forest Railway (DFR) does not really belong in a survey of Welsh railways, its proximity to the Wales border, and its similarity with the Gwili warrants inclusion. Like the Gwili, it operates in a wooded valley, and offers the opportunity of sampling some of the charm of a rural railway of a bye-gone era. With the DFR in the east and the Gwili at the westernmost limit, the two railways effectively put the South Wales railways in parentheses, providing a delightful start and finish for the enthusiast who may decide to 'take in' all the preserved railways in the area during a few days' holiday.
The DFR operates over a two-mile section of the former Severn and Wye Railway. Passenger services ceased in 1929, and the line from Lydney Junction to Berkeley Road in Avon closed in 1960 after the central span of the Severn Bridge was brought down after being struck by barges on the river. The section Lydney Junction to Parkend remained open for coal traffic until 1976, when it was closed by British Rail. When rumours of closure first began to circulate in 1970, the Dean Forest Railway Society was formed with the aim of preserving the line, and began to amass a collection of artefacts associated with the route at its base at Norchard. Since closure of the freight line, the DFR has built a reputation as one of the most professionally run of all the small railways in the country and in 2001, was voted Independent Railway of the Year by Railway World magazine.
Return to top of Page The railway today
From its
operational base at Norchard (pictured), the railway has steadily extended southward,
first to the town of Lydney, then to St Mary's Halt, and finally to Lydney Junction
itself, a total running distance of two miles.
Lydney Junction, with its replica Severn and Wye station building, was reopened in 1995,
35 years after it was last used.
A second face to this platform has been constructed by the Friends of Severn and Wye
Group, which provides a platform to receive trains from the Gloucester/Chepstow direction.
Over 520 feet long, it is one of the longest platforms constructed on a private railway
line.
Further extension south was not possible, so the DFR turned its sights on the
northern terminus of Parkend.
On February 12 1997, the DFR announced that it has secured funding from the English Rural
Development Commission to proceed immediately with the two mile extension to Parkend. This
12-month project saw the track reballasted and relaid, and two level crossings upgraded:
leaving the footbridge, platform and goods shed at Parkend to be renovated.
In January 1999 a further grant from the Rural Development Commission matched by similar
bank borrowing enabled the DFR to complete the renovations at Parkend, and a
ceremony to mark the start of work took place on June 2nd 2000. The DFR extended its
operation as far as Tufts Junction during the 2001 season, which remains the terminus
until the extension to Parkend was completed.
At Norchard there is a museum and souvenir shop which is open most
days from Easter to Christmas. On operating days, there is a cafeteria and snack bar
housed in air-conditioned coaches at Norchard siding. For walkers there is a riverside
walk to a picnic area, or a Forest Trail to Primrose Hill which gives extensive views over
Lydney.
The new Lydney Town station gives access to shops and to Bathhurst Park,
a mecca for local children.
At St Mary's Halt there are parks and a boating lake, as well as the
parish church of St Mary itself, in the churchyard of which is buried William Keeling, the
chief engineer of the Severn and Wye Railway.
From Lydney Junction there are walks to the harbour which gives fine
views of the River Severn. A leaflet gives details.
The DFR has an extensive collection of steam and diesel locomotives and rolling stock, including operational diesel multiple units. Most of the collection is stabled at the Norchard terminus, though there are also a number of examples at the Lydney Junction end of the line. The collection is too numerous to include at this stage, but perhaps will be included in a later update.
A major restoration project at the DFR is that of Taff Vale Railway locomotive No 28,
on behalf of the National Railway Museum. The loco dates from 1897.
There is an appeal for donations, and offers to help with the restoration. Donations in
excess of £25 will entitle the donor to a seat on the first passenger train hauled by TVR
28. Further details can be obtained from the TVR 28 Restoration Fund, 59 Claverham Road,
Yatton, BRISTOL. BS49 4LD; while offers of assistance to carry out work on the restoration
should be made to the project engineer, Geoff Phelps on (01594) 832702.
The Branchline Experience
Through the Branchline Experience the DFR
also gives the opportunity of learning to drive one of its steam or diesel locomotives.
As well as learning to drive, the all-day course gives the opportunity of taking
charge of the line as guard, signaller and Crossing Keeper stopping the traffic
in Lydney for the train to pass through. A two-course lunch is included, and
give free 12-month membership of the DFR.
The coast for the Steam Experience is £295; or for the Diesel Experience £255.
For more details, or to order a gift voucher, contact the railway on +44(0)594 845840 or at the address given above.
2010 Days, times and fares
Dark blue
dates are themed events with a special timetable in operation. Contact the DFR
for details
Fares
Adult £10.00
Child (5 to 16) £5.00
Family (2 Adults and 2 Children) £28.00
Children under 5 travel free
On non-passenger train days, admission to the station area is free, but
donations are welcomed.
Special Events
Special fares and timetables apply for special events. Contact
the DFR for details.
Pre-booking is essential for the Santa Specials. Write or telephone for a brochure from
mid-August.
The Severn and Wye Festival - June 19th
to July 4th
The Festival celebrates the 200th anniversary of the first
tramroad to be laid in the Forest of Dean, and at least two locomotives will
be in operation, including City of Truro. The dates are as follows:
June 19th Two Steam locos
June 20th Two Steam locos
June 23rd One Steam and One diesel loco
June 24th One Steam and One diesel loco
June 26th and 27th Special Gala Weekend with four steam locos, double
heading, extra trains
demonstration freight train and Auto train
June 30th One Steam and One diesel loco
July 1st One Steam and One diesel loco
July 3rd Two Steam locos
July 3rd Special Royal Forester evening dining train hauled by City of
Truro
July 4th Bygone Branch day with City of Truro, 1450 and
Auto train
July 10th The Festival ends with an intensive service of diesel trains recreating scenes from the British Rail era with all available diesel locomotives hauling passenger, local passenger and a demonstration freight train with Dogfish ballast wagons
A special timetable and fares will apply. Contact the DFR for details
Royal Forester Dining Service
Enjoy a three-course meal in a First Class Dining Car.
Details of dates and times from the DFR (+44) (0)1594 845840
The railway is approached from the town of Lydney which is on the A48 between
Gloucester and Newport. Norchard is about a half-mile from the level crossing by which the
DFR crosses the old A48. Stagecoach buses also serve Lydney Town station with an hourly
weekday service (a limited service on Sundays) from Gloucester, Chepstow and Newport.
(Timetable enquiries: +44 (0)1452 425453.)
A hundred metres from Lydney Junction station is the main line station of Lydney, served
by trains operated by Arriva Trains Wales trains between South Wales
and Gloucester. These operate on a roughly two-hour frequency throughout the day. Allow a
few minutes connection time to transfer between the main railway station and Lydney
Junction or vice versa.
For details of connecting services, including travel planner and timetables,
visit the Traveline Cymru website.
Click here for the DFR's official Website
Copyright © 1996/7/8/9/2000/1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10 by Deryck Lewis.
All rights reserved.
Page created July 14 1996; Redesigned March 29 1999; Updated May 30 2010
If you have any suggestions, comments, or glitches to report, please contact the author at
WalesRails
