Dean Forest Railway 'Prairie Farewell Gala' - Sat&Sun 15&16th October

Text below taken from a DFR facebook event page -

The Dean Forest Railway is once again collaborating with The Flour Mill workshop on a special steam event in October.

After the hugely successful Steam Gala in July, which saw three locos previously overhauled at the Flour Mill returning to the Forest of Dean, the DFR is now welcoming the Flour Mill’s own small prairie L.150, built as GWR 5521, running for the last time before a ten-year overhaul. It will join the DFR’s own prairie, 5541, which has been the pride of the DFR fleet since coming back into service two years ago.

“5541 is one of the least-travelled prairies, and L.150 is far and away the most travelled, so they will make an interesting pairing, especially with one in green and one in red, one pretty original and one with an air-pump and cut down cab, one recently overhauled and one well used” commented Bill Parker from the Flour Mill, “Together they should look really good running through the woods, especially if there is a bit of autumn colour.”

By popular demand The Flour Mill workshop will be open again on Sunday, 16th October for only the second time in ten years: all entrance charges will go to local charities.
Details and timetables will shortly be posted on the DFR’s website www.dfr.co.uk.


The Forest has some beautiful orange colours this time of year so should be some great photo opportunities at this event. Another linenear to this, the Avon Valley, have their end of season gala the same weekend, so for those coming from further afield booking accommodation and attending both could be worthwhile. Not sure how long L.150/5521 is due to be out for. I will try and keep this thread updated as information filters through.