The Dean Forest Railway is a long heritage railway that runs between Lydney and Parkend in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England.
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.
The Dean Forest Railway plans to extend its heritage services a further 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 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. As of 2025, progress has been slow, with the extension being delayed by a proposal for a new level crossing at Travellers Rest that requires the permission of the Office of Rail and Road.
Stations and junctions of the DFR
Closed
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
Accidents and incidents In August 2007, a volunteer who was opening a level crossing gate was badly injured when a train going at an excessive speed struck the gate. Underlying factors included inexperienced train crew and faulty equipment.
In March 2020, a wagon that was awaiting restoration was set on fire at St. Mary's.
In August 2025, a 19th-century footbridge at St. Mary's was brought down by a digger that was being transported by a train. The digger had been inadequately stowed by an inexperienced volunteer.
Locomotives
Steam Number & Name Description Current Status Livery ImageNo. 5541GWR 4575 Class 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 crestNCB No. 3880/WD 152 "Rennes"Austerity Operational; Built in 1944.LMR BlueNo. 2221Andrew Barclay Under Overhaul. Built in 1946.N/ANo. 9681BR(W) GWR 5700 ClassOperational; completed its overhaul in November 2022. Built in 1949 and owned by the Dean Forest Locomotive Group. BR Black with late crest)No. 9682BR(W) GWR 5700 ClassUnder 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 BlackNo. 2147 "Uskmouth 1"Peckett and Sons Operational. Built in 1952 and bought by the DFR, in 1971. DFR's first loco.Light GreenNo. 3806 "Wilbert"Austerity Stored; located at Norchard. Built in 1953 and arrived in 1973. Named after Rev. W. Awdry in 1987. Formerly G.B Keeling.Dark Blue with Red LiningNo. 3823 "Warrior"Austerity Stored; located at Lydney Junction. Built in 1954.NCB RedNCB No. 3889/NCB 65Austerity Under Overhaul. Built in 1964.Departmental YellowNo 2411 (Gloria)Hunslet 50550 Class Stored at Lydney Junction. Built in 1941.No 2413 GunbyHunslet 50550 Class Under overhaul. Built in 1941.Lined Black
Diesel and electric Number & Name Description Current Status Livery Year ImageNo. 4210127Fowler Diesel ShunterStored awaiting overhaul.N/ANo. 5622 "Don Corbett"Hunslet Diesel ShunterOut of service, awaiting repairs.Departmental Yellow with Wasp-Stripe bufferbeamsNo. 6688 "Salty"Hunslet Diesel ShunterOperational. Arrived from the Barry Island Railway in January 2009.Red with Yellow ends and Wasp-Stripes1968No. 08769 (D3937)BR Class 08Operational. Re-entered service in 2013.BR Blue with wasp stripes1960No. D9521BR Class 14Operational.BR Blue1964No. D9555BR Class 14Under Overhaul; currently at the Midland Railway – Butterley, awaiting repairs.BR Green1965E6003 ( 73003) 'Sir Herbert Walker'British Rail Class 73Operational. Visited the DFR for the 2024 Diesel Gala, and took up permanent residency in 2026.BR Green1962No. E50619BR Class 108 DMBSOperationalBR Green1958No. M51566BR Class 108 DMCLOperationalBR Green1959No. M51914BR Class 108 DMBSOperationalBR Green1961No. M56492BR Class 108 DTCLOperationalBR Green1960No. M59387BR Class 108 TSLOperationalBR Green1958
Former steam locomotives Number & Name Description Current Status Livery ImageNo. 1450GWR 0-4-2T 1400 ClassOperational at the Severn Valley Railway. Built in 1935. Was resident from 2004 until early 2014.GWR green (as pictured)No. 9642BR(W) 0-6-0PT 5700 ClassUndergoing overhaul. Resident from 1998 to 2004 when owned by the South Wales Pannier Group. Sold to a private individual and moved to the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway in 2005. Built in 1946BR Black (Early Emblem)No. 813GWR Port Talbot Railway 0-6-0STStored awaiting repairs. Now at the Severn Valley Railway. Built in 1901. Was on hire for the 2004 season.GWR Green 1929–34 LiveryNo. 5521GWR 2-6-2T 4575 ClassOperational at the Gwili Railway. 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. 5538GWR 2-6-2T 4575 ClassUnder overhaul at the Flour Mill. Built in 1928. No. 4953 "Pitchford Hall"GWR 4900 ClassOperational. Spent its early years of Preservation at the DFR. Now at the Epping Ongar Railway. Built in 1929BR Lined Black (Early Emblem)No. 4150GWR 2-6-2T 5101 ClassRestoration in progress at the Severn Valley Railway. Spent its early years of Preservation at the DFR 1974 – 1977. Built in 1947.BR Green28Taff Vale Railway O1 classRestoration in progress at the Gwili Railway. Was at the DFR in 1990s Built in 1897.GWR GreenGWR 7800 Class 7812 'Erlestoke Manor'GWR 7800 ClassOwned 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
Former diesel locomotives and multiple units Number and name Description Current status Livery ImageNo. 2145Hunslet 0-4-0DM Diesel ShunterMoved to Tanat Valley Light RailwayGreenNo. 3947 "Planet" (Formerly "Pluto")Hibberd ShunterMoved to the Vale of Berkeley Railway in 2022GreenNo. 08238 (13308 / D3308) "Charlie"BR Class 08moved to NYMRBR Blue with Wasp Stripes No. 08473BR Class 08Scrapped, Spares for 08734.But the chassis, cab, wheels and radiator still remain under tarpaulin.BR BlueNo. 08734BR Class 08Undergoing Restoration.BR BlueNo. D7633BR Bo-Bo Class 25Sold; awaiting overhaul; leaking header tankBR Two-Tone GreenNo. 31466 BR A1A-A1A Class 31Sold now on the North Yorkshire Moors RailwayEWS Maroon/GoldNo. 37263BR Co-Co Class 37Moved to the Telford Steam Railway BR Departmental Grey liveryNo. 37308BR Co-Co Class 37Moved to the Severn Valley RailwayBR BlueNo. 47524BR Co-Co Class 47Scrapped Rail Express SystemsNo. 73001BR Bo-Bo Class 73Sold; Operational BR BlueNo. 73002BR Bo-Bo Class 73Sold; parts donorBR Large Logo BlueNo.W50632BR Class 108 DMCLScrapped for partsBR Blue & GreyNo.W52044BR Class 108 DMCLScrapped for partsBR Blue & GreyNo. 1499BR(W) British Rail Class 421Scrapped 2012.South West Trains
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. In 2025 Mark 1 SO w4786 hired in from the Churnet Valley Railway
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 4729StoredChocolate 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 SO 4786 Operational Maroon On hire from Churnet Valley Railway. 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 Image Collett Standard Autotrailer Third 178 moved to the Severn Valley Railway. Hawksworth Autotrailer Third 238 moved to the Severn Valley Railway. Collett Standard BCK 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 25509scrapped Dec 2007. BR XP64 FK 13407scrapped 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 SO – Standard Open 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