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 Lydney Junction in 1995 and Parkend in 2005. Trains are operated by both steam and heritage diesel locomotives , and heritage diesel multiple units .
The Dean Forest Railway has been given the former Panteg and Griffithstown railway 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.
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. 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.
Stations and Junctions of the DFR
Proposed future extension
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 and owned by the Dean Forest Locomotive Group. Boiler ticket expires end of December 2024.
BR lined Green with late crest
NCB No. 3880/WD 152 "Rennes"
Austerity 0-6-0 ST
Under Overhaul. Built in 1944.
LMR Blue
No. 2221
Andrew Barclay 0-4-0 ST
Under Overhaul. Built in 1946.
N/A
No. 9681
BR(W) 0-6-0 PT GWR 5700 Class
Operational; completed its overhaul in November 2022. Built in 1949 and owned by the Dean Forest Locomotive Group.
BR Black (Early Emblem)
No. 9682
BR(W) 0-6-0 PT GWR 5700 Class
Under overhaul. Bought by the Dean Forest Locomotive Group in late 2018, having been partially overhauled under previous owners; the GWR Preservation Group Ltd. Built in 1949, 9682 was the 100th locomotive to leave Barry Scrapyard .
BR Black
No. 2147 "Uskmouth 1"
Peckett and Sons 0-4-0 ST
Operational. Built in 1952 and bought by the DFR, in 1971. DFR's first loco.
Light Green
No. 3806 "Wilbert"
Austerity 0-6-0 ST
Stored. Built in 1953 and 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 2411 (Gloria)
Hunslet 50550 Class 0-6-0 ST
Stored at Lydney Junction. Built in 1941.
No 2413 Gunby
Hunslet 50550 Class 0-6-0 ST
Under 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. 08769 (D3937) "Gladys"
BR 0-6-0 DE Class 08
Operational. Re-entered service in 2013.
BR Blue with wasp stripes
1960
No. D9521
BR 0-6-0 Class 14
Operational
BR Blue
1964
No. D9555
BR 0-6-0 Class 14
Away getting repairs
BR Green
1965
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
Undergoing overhaul; at the Severn Valley Railway . Built in 1935. Was resident from 2004 until early 2014.
GWR green (as pictured)
No. 9642
BR(W) 0-6-0 PT 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
Stored awaiting repairs. 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. 5538
GWR 2-6-2T 4575 Class
Under overhaul at the Flour Mill. Built in 1928.
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
Visiting Steam Locomotives
Number & Name
Description
Current Status
Livery
Image
Rocket (replica)
Stephenson's Rocket
Operational, Visited the DFR in 2010 Built in 1979.
Yellow
No1722 ‘Rocket"
Peckett and Sons 0-4-0 ST
Operational, visited the DFR for the DFR 50 gala in 2021. Built in 1926
Blue
Rosyth No. 1
Andrew Barclay 0-4-0 ST
Operational, visited the DFR in 2023. Built in 1914
Green
WD 132 Sapper
Hunslet Austerity 0-6-0ST
Under Overhaul, Visited the DFR in 2011, 2015, 2017 and 2024. Built in 1944
WD Green
75008 Swiftsure
Hunslet Austerity 0-6-0ST
Operational, Visited the DFR in 2017 / 2018. Back at the DFR in June 2021. Dual Braked. Built in 1943
LMR Blue
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 and return for the 2019 Gala. Return for the first half of the 2021 season. Built in 1937.
Black with Wasp Stripes
401 Vulcan
W.G Bagnall 0-6-0ST "New Standard 18"
Operational, Visited the DFR in 2023 Built in 1951
Steel Company of Wales
No. 30587
LSWR 0298 Class
Static Display, 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
Stored, 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
Undergoing overhaul, Visited the DFR in 2016 for the Flour Mill 20th Anniversary Gala. Built in 1898.
Metropolitan Railways Red
41708 (1704)
Midland Railway 1377 Class
Non Operational, Visited the DFR in 1994 and when run as a half cab now at Barrow Hill Roundhouse . Built in 1880
BR Black 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
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
1340
GWR_No._1340_Trojan
Operational. Visited the DFR in 2023. Built in 1897
GWR Green
1369
GWR 1366 Class
Operational. Visited the DFR in 1996 and 2023. 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 2023. Visited the DFR in 1995. Built in 1934
BR Green with early emblem
No. 7754
BR(W) 0-6-0 PT GWR 5700 Class
Undergoing overhaul. Visited the DFR in 1997 and 1998. Normally based at the Llangollen Railway. Built in 1930.
BR Black (Early Emblem)
No. 6412
BR(W) 0-6-0 PT GWR 6400 Class
Operational. Visited the DFR in 1998. Normally based at the South Devon Railway. Built in 1934.
BR Green
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
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
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. 3947 "Planet" (Formerly "Pluto")
Hibberd 0-4-0 DM Shunter
Moved to the Vale of Berkeley Railway in 2022
Green
No. 08238 (13308 / D3308) "Charlie"
BR 0-6-0 DE Class 08
moved to NYMR
BR Blue with Wasp Stripes
No. 08473
BR Class 08
Scrapped, Spares for 08734.But the chassis, cab, wheels and radiator still remain under tarpaulin.
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. 31466
BR A1A-A1A Class 31
Sold now on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway
EWS Maroon/Gold
No. 37263
BR Co-Co Class 37
Moved to the Telford Steam Railway
BR Departmental Grey livery
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.W50632
BR Class 108 DMCL
Scrapped for parts
BR Blue & Grey
No.W52044
BR Class 108 DMCL
Scrapped for parts
BR Blue & Grey
No. 1499
BR(W) British Rail Class 421
Scrapped 2012.
South West Trains
Visiting Diesel Locomotives and Multiple units
Number & Name
Description
Current Status
Livery
Image
No.03145
British Rail Class 03
Operational, Visited the DFR in 2023 for the Diesel Gala.
No. D2069
British Rail Class 03
Operational, Visited the DFR in 2019 for the Diesel Gala. Back at the DFR in 2021 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
No. 31130 "Calder Hall Power Station"
British Rail Class 31
Operational, Visited the DFR for 2022 Diesel Gala.
Railfreight grey
33063/ D6583 R.J. Mitchell
British Rail Class 33
Operational, Visited the DFR in 2019 for the Diesel Gala. Built in 1962.
Railfreight Mainline Sector
37227
British Rail Class 37
Operational, Visited the DFR in 2023 for the Diesel Gala.
BR Railfreight Metals
37901
British Rail Class 37
Operational, Visited the DFR in 2022 for the Diesel Gala.
Europhoenix
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 and 2022
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
image
Collett Standard
TK
5813
Static sale coach
Chocolate and Cream
Built in 1934 Used as sales coach to raise funds for DFLG
Collett Standard
TK
5863
Stored
Chocolate and Cream
Built in 1934 Formerly 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
Maroon
BR Mk1
TSO
4923
Operational
Maroon
Was Overhaul at williton on WSR in 2121
BR Mk1
CK
15984
Under Overhaul
Chocolate and Cream
Brought from Colne Valley Railway in 2022
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 Mk2
TSO
5175
Operational
Maroon
Arrived at the DFR in November 2018.
BR Mk2a
TSO
5341
Operational
Maroon
Arrived at the DFR in July 2019. Dual Braked.
Ex coaching stock
Design
Type
Number
Notes
Image
Collett Standard
Autotrailer Third
178
moved to the Severn Valley Railway.
Hawksworth
Autotrailer Third
238
moved to the Severn Valley Railway.
Collett Standard
BSK
1645
moved to the South Devon Railway.
Collett Standard
TK
5848
scrapped
BR Mk1
BCK
21247
scrapped
BR Mk1
SK
25602
scrapped
BR Mk1
RMB
1829
moved to the East Lancashire Railway.
BR Mk1
RBR
1665
moved to the East Lancashire Railway.
BR Mk1
BG
81380
moved to the West Somerset Railway.
BR XP64
SK
25509
scrapped Dec 2007.
BR XP64
FK
13407
scrapped Jan 2013.
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.
there are rake of dogfish ballast wagons and TTA tank wagons.
Brakevans
Design
Type
Number
Status
Livery
Notes
Image
SR 25 Ton
Queen Mary Brake
56303
Operational
BR Brown
Dual Braked
BR 20 Ton
Standard Brake
955224
Stored
BR Brown
LMS 20 Ton
Standard Brake
732268
Away being repair
BR Brown
LMS 20 Ton
Standard Brake
732400
awaiting repairs
BR Brown
BR 20 Ton
Shark Brake
DB993901
Operational
BR Black
Vacuum Braked
BR 20 Ton
Shark Brake
DB993916
awaiting repairs
BR Dutch
Piped for air
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. Vacuum Braked