Present-Day Dean Forest Railway
The Dean Forest Railway offers regular heritage steam and diesel services, connecting Lydney, Norchard, Whitecroft, and Parkend. The railway hosts special events, including Santa Specials, themed galas, and experiences celebrating its industrial heritage.
Preservation and Reopening
In 1970, the Dean Forest Railway Society was formed to preserve the line. Restoration work began, and the first section of the preserved railway opened in 1978. By 1995, the line was extended to its current 4.5-mile route between Lydney Junction and Parkend.
History of the Dean Forest Railway
The railway traces its origins to the Severn and Wye Railway, constructed in the early 19th century to transport coal, iron ore, and stone from the Forest of Dean to the River Severn for shipping. The first section opened in 1810 as a horse-drawn tramroad before being converted to a standard-gauge railway in the 1860s under the name Severn and Wye Joint Railway, jointly managed by the Great Western Railway (GWR) and Midland Railway. The railway became a crucial transport link for both freight and passengers, serving the local mining and forestry industries. With the decline of these industries and increased competition from road transport, passenger services were discontinued in 1929, though freight traffic continued until the mid-20th century. The final regular freight services ended in 1971, marking the closure of much of the line.