# 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.
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

Download coordinates as:
* KML
* GPX (all coordinates)
* GPX (primary coordinates)
* GPX (secondary coordinates)
vteDean Forest Railway :
Legend :
vteRailway lines in Lydney :
Legend :
| Point | Coordinates (Links to map resources) | OS Grid Ref | Notes |
| Lydney Junction | 51°42′55″N 2°31′51″W﻿ / ﻿51.7153°N 2.5309°W﻿ / 51.7153; -2.5309﻿ (Lydney Junction Station) | SO63410197 | |
| St Mary's Halt | 51°43′12″N 2°31′51″W﻿ / ﻿51.72°N 2.5308°W﻿ / 51.72; -2.5308﻿ (St Mary's Halt (Closed)) | SO63420249 | Closed |
| Lydney Town | 51°43′33″N 2°31′56″W﻿ / ﻿51.7258°N 2.5321°W﻿ / 51.7258; -2.5321﻿ (Lydney Town Station) | SO63340314 | |
| Norchard | 51°44′10″N 2°32′22″W﻿ / ﻿51.7362°N 2.5394°W﻿ / 51.7362; -2.5394﻿ (Norchard Station) | SO62840430 | |
| Tufts Junction | 51°43′49″N 2°32′10″W﻿ / ﻿51.7303°N 2.5360°W﻿ / 51.7303; -2.5360﻿ (Tufts Junction) | SO63070364 | Closed |
| Whitecroft | 51°45′10″N 2°33′09″W﻿ / ﻿51.7529°N 2.5525°W﻿ / 51.7529; -2.5525﻿ (Whitecroft Station) | SO61950616 | |
| Parkend | 51°46′03″N 2°33′23″W﻿ / ﻿51.7676°N 2.5565°W﻿ / 51.7676; -2.5565﻿ (Parkend Station) | SO61690780 | |
* 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 Halt
* Bicslade Wharf
* Speech House Road
* Cinderford

## 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 |
| No. 5541 | GWR 4575 Class 2-6-2T | Stored awaiting overhaul. Built in 1928 and owned by the Dean Forest Locomotive Group. Boiler ticket expired end of December 2024. | BR lined Green with late crest |
| NCB No. 3880/WD 152 "Rennes" | Austerity 0-6-0ST | Under Overhaul. Built in 1944. | LMR Blue |
| No. 2221 | Andrew Barclay 0-4-0ST | Under Overhaul. Built in 1946. | N/A |
| No. 9681 | BR(W) 0-6-0PT GWR 5700 Class | Operational; completed its overhaul in November 2022. Built in 1949 and owned by the Dean Forest Locomotive Group. | BR Black with late crest) |
| No. 9682 | BR(W) 0-6-0PT 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 0-4-0ST | Operational. Built in 1952 and bought by the DFR, in 1971. DFR's first loco. | Light Green |
| No. 3806 "Wilbert" | Austerity 0-6-0ST | 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 0-6-0ST | 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 2411 (Gloria) | Hunslet 50550 Class 0-6-0ST | Stored at Lydney Junction. Built in 1941. | |
| No 2413 Gunby | Hunslet 50550 Class 0-6-0ST | Under overhaul. Built in 1941. | Lined Black |

### Diesel and electric

| Number & Name | Description | Current Status | Livery | Year |
| 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. 08769 (D3937) "Gladys" | BR 0-6-0DE 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 |
| 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 | 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 | Owned by the Erlestoke Manor Fund and came back into steam in early 2023 and currently out on loan as of 2024, 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 |
| Rocket (replica) | Stephenson's Rocket | Operational, Visited the DFR in 2010 Built in 1979. | Yellow |
| No1722 ‘Rocket" | Peckett and Sons 0-4-0ST | Operational, visited the DFR for the DFR 50 gala in 2021. Built in 1926 | Blue |
| Rosyth No. 1 | Andrew Barclay 0-4-0ST | 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. | Dark Green with Yellow lining |
| 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) 0-6-0PT 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) 0-6-0PT GWR 6400 Class | Operational. Visited the DFR in 1998. Normally based at the South Devon Railway. Built in 1934. | BR Green |
| No. 6695 | BR(W) 0-6-2T GWR 5600 Class | Operational. Visited the DFR in 2024. Normally based at the Swindon and Cricklade Railway. Built in 1928. | GWR Unlined 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 Tyseley Locomotive Works and expected to be back in service in 2025. 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 with an overhaul planned. Visited the DFR in 2001 . Built in 1946 | GWR Green |
| 5199 | GWR 5101 Class | Out of Service, at the Flour Mill. Visited the DFR in 2019 . Built in 1934 | GWR Green |

### Former Diesel Locomotives and Multiple units

| Number & Name | Description | Current Status | Livery |
| No. 2145 | Hunslet 0-4-0DM Diesel Shunter | Moved to Tanat Valley Light Railway | Green |
| No. 3947 "Planet" (Formerly "Pluto") | Hibberd 0-4-0DM Shunter | Moved to the Vale of Berkeley Railway in 2022 | Green |
| No. 08238 (13308 / D3308) "Charlie" | BR 0-6-0DE 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 |
| No.03119 | British Rail Class 03 | Stored atthe DFR in 2024 for the Gwendraeth Valley Railway. Cut down cab | BR Blue |
| No.03145 | British Rail Class 03 | Operational, Visited the DFR in 2023 for the Diesel Gala. | BR Blue |
| 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 |
| No. 09006 | British Rail Class 09 | Under overhaul. at the DFR | EWS |
| No. 09015 | British Rail Class 09 | Under overhaul. at the DFR | BR Grey |
| No. 09106 | British Rail Class 09 | Operational. was at the DFR in 2024 | harry needle railway company Orange |
| 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 |
| 31130 "Calder Hall Power Station" | British Rail Class 31 | Operational, Visited the DFR for 2022 Diesel Gala. | Railfreight grey |
| 33012/ D6515 Lt Jenny Lewis RN | British Rail Class 33 | Operational, Visited the DFR in 2024 on railtour. Built in 1962. | BR Green |
| 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 |
| 37510 'Orion' | British Rail Class 37 | Operational, Visited the DFR in 2024 for the Diesel Gala. | Europhoenix |
| No. 37 884 'Cepheus' | British Rail Class 37 | Operational, Visited the DFR in 2024 for the Diesel Gala. | Europhoenix |
| 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 |
| E6003 ( 73003) 'Sir Herbert Walker' | British Rail Class 73 | Operational, Visited the DFR in 2024 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 |
| No. 428 (4 TC ) | British Rail Class 438 | Operational, Visited the DFR in 2024 on a rail tour pulled by 33012/ D 6515 | London Transport Maroon |
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 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 overhauled at Williton on WSR in 2021. |
| BR Mk1 | CK | 15984 | Stored | Carmine and Cream | Purchased 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 |
| 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
* BCK – Brake Composite Corridor
* BSK – Brake Standard Corridor
* BSOT – Brake Standard Open (Micro-Buffet)
* RMB – Restaurant Miniature Buffet
* CK – Composite Corridor
* SK – Standard Corridor
* TK – Standard Corridor
* TSO – Tourist Standard Open
* BG – Brake Gangwayed

## 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. There are rakes of Dogfish ballast wagons, VEA Vans and TTA tank wagons.

### Brakevans

| Design | Type | Number | Status | Livery | Notes |
| SR 25 Ton | Queen Mary Brake | 56303 | Operational | BR Brown | Dual Braked |
| BR 20 Ton | Standard Brake | 955224 | awaiting repairs | BR Brown | |
| LMS 20 Ton | Standard Brake | 732268 | Operational | BR Brown | Was restored offsite, returned December 2024 |
| 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 | Under repairs | BR Dutch | Piped for air. Moved to same location where 732268 was restored in December 2024. |
| GWR 20 Ton | Toad Brake | W68480 | Operational | BR Grey | |
| GWR 20 Ton | Toad Brake | 17488 | Under repairs | GWR Grey | Purchased from the GWR Preservation Group alongside Pannier 9682, arrived April 2019. Vacuum Braked |