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

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 Level | Low Level Middle Forge Junction 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 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)

Proposed future extension

• Coleford Junction[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 2-6-2 T	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 0-6-0 ST	Operational, built in 1944. Boiler ticket expires in 2027.	LMR Blue
No. 2221	Andrew Barclay 0-4-0 ST	Stored, built in 1946	N/A
No. 9681	BR(W) 0-6-0 PT 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) 0-6-0 PT 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 0-4-0 ST	Undergoing restoration, built in 1952. Arrived in 1971. DFR first loco.	Light Green
No. 3806 "Wilbert"	Austerity 0-6-0 ST	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 0-6-0 ST	Stored, built in 1954.	NCB Red
NCB No. 3889/NCB 65	Austerity 0-6-0 ST	Stored at Lydney Junction. built in 1964.	Departmental Yellow
No 2413 Gunby	0-6-0 ST	Undergoing overhaul. built in 1941.	Lined Black

Diesel and electric

Number & Name	Description	Current Status	Livery	Year	Image
No. 4210127	Fowler 0-4-0 DM 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 0-4-0 DM Shunter	Stored at Norchard, Awaiting overhaul.	Green	1960
No. 08238 (13308 / D3308) "Charlie"	BR 0-6-0 DE Class 08	Stored, Light duties at Lydney Junction only	BR Blue with Wasp Stripes	1956
No. 08769 (D3937) "Gladys"	BR 0-6-0 DE 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	Operational	BR Green	1958
No. M51566	BR Class 108 DMCL	Operational	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	Operational	BR Green	1958

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. 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

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	Stored	Chocolate and Cream
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

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

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.

External links

• Dean Forest Railway Website
• Historical site
• Dean Forest Diesel Association
• Dean Forest Railway Society Website