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Dean Forest Railway

Discussion in 'Heritage Railways & Centres in the UK' started by Talking to Bears 00, Sep 16, 2018.

  1. 5944

    5944 Resident of Nat Pres

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    With apologies to John Cleese...

    Well may I ask what you expected to see out of a Dean Forest Railway train window? Sydney Opera House perhaps? The Hanging Gardens of Babylon? Herds of wildebeest sweeping majestically across the plain?

    ;)
     
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  2. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    I knew what to expect and I wasn't disappointed. But the non enthusiast with me was underwhelmed. A two hour visit was the limit.
     
  3. 3ABescot

    3ABescot Member

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    I always enjoy a trip on the line too. Agree with what you say but I like the trees! The winding route and trees make it seem much longer than it really is and add to the interest of the pleasantly short trip. But the main interest of the line is its industrial history. The route and the Forest generally, is full of the remains of mining and other industries together with their associated tramways and railways. These are well documented in books in the excellent shop and museum and you can see the remains from the line. The railway is trying to make the best of them, eg recently restored wagons either side of the former siding whose rails cross the road at Parkend. Plenty of walks on the old routes too with more remains to see.
     
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  4. D1002

    D1002 Resident of Nat Pres

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    This looks rather splendid:
    56EEA6B8-AABF-42E2-A627-729C70131BA3.png
     
  5. class8mikado

    class8mikado Part of the furniture

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    Is free-mined Forest of Dean Coal any good for firing Locos ?
     
  6. Enterprise

    Enterprise Part of the furniture

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  7. Steve

    Steve Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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  8. jamesd

    jamesd Member

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    I’ve used it in my traction engine and it burns well, if a little smokey. I got a bag of it from Hopewell colliery after doing an underground tour there.
     
  9. Paul Grant

    Paul Grant Well-Known Member

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    Looks the proverbial etc. I had a look at the DFR FB group and it looks like Rennes is still sat out of use. Wasn't it on the cards to be repaired?
     
  10. 73101 The Royal Alex

    73101 The Royal Alex New Member

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    It is. Repairs are well underway.
     
  11. Paul Grant

    Paul Grant Well-Known Member

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    Thank you for the update. I wasnt sure of the scope of the work and I know a lot of effort went in to getting 9681 finished.
     
  12. Forest Rail

    Forest Rail New Member

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    Did you bring it to Speech House Rally, a local pit supplied a fair bit of Yorkley seam coal for it. It's a nice lump but a mite smokey until it gets hot. High Delf would have been perfect, but getting decent sized lump is difficult as there's not much left of it and what's left tends to get crushed by the strata
     
  13. D1039

    D1039 Guest

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  14. alexl102

    alexl102 Member

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    Hi all,
    Can anyone provide me with an update on the status of the two (or more?) Hunslet 50550 0-6-0STs, HE 2411 and 2413 Gunby? I understand 2413 is under restoration; how js this coming along? And is 2411 purely a parts donor or is it going to be restored in its own right?
    Thanks!
     
  15. Forest Rail

    Forest Rail New Member

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    Saw Gunby in the shed with boiler out and lots of work progressing last week. Unsure of plan for 2411 but both are privately owned.
     
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  16. JBTEvans

    JBTEvans Well-Known Member

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    Steam Galas this year are 20/21 May & 14/15 October.

    Diesel Gala 9/10 September.
     
  17. free2grice

    free2grice Part of the furniture Friend

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    Last edited: Mar 6, 2023
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  18. Colin Allcars

    Colin Allcars Member

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  19. 45045

    45045 New Member

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    11. It does not add up. 46 t is not the tare either.....

    Sent from my 2201122G using Tapatalk
     
  20. Gladiator 5076

    Gladiator 5076 Part of the furniture

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    That is the same load as the move of 70000 to Swanage with its support coach. It is all to do with working out acceleration for pathing in the NR system isn't it? I guess a 37 has slower acceleration than say a 66.
     
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