Dean Forrest Spring Gala: Panniers and Prairies - 20 & 21 May

Just announced on Facebook that 1369 is visiting.

Home locos are 5541 & 9681

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We have some timetables on Facebook, but not the railway's website yet as far as I can see.

https://www.facebook.com/deanforest...6FdpV7NVUiF4cUpSmFmJgfPGEiboEc5qVHFP8MhJVnAfl

 

It's now in the official page.
https://deanforestrailway.co.uk/experiences/spring-steam-gala/

 

Timetables now on the DFR website. £22 adult day rover. Trains running from 0800 to 2025 on Saturday!

 

I visited this gala yesterday, a very good day helped by the lovely weather. I thought the timetable worked well with trains 'following' each other from one end of the line to the other. If you were at Lydney Jn or Parkend at the right times you could see all three locomotives there together. It was fairly busy so hopefully the event was a success. First time I have seen 9681, looks fantastic. Will post some photos later.

 

Pictures from a full day at the gala on Sunday.

 

A glorious Saturday and Sunday for my first visit to this lovely line, with the bonus of seeing 1369. Parkend Station is a gem, restored perfectly. With no over development, it retained the special mystique seen in old pictures.

Despite running through sections of forest, there is no sense of being in a green tunnel, with clear lineside offering great views onto and into the trees. A shame the siding at Whitecroft is full of stock waiting it's turn in the works. A cosmetically restored rake of wagons here would create a nice cameo. This only struck me as the station building has been so lovingly been recreated.

The brakevan ride on Sunday morning from Lydney Junction behind 9681 was a true step back in time...wish it could have been longer! Thanks are due to the crew. Overall an excellent experience of a line I've wanted to visit for a long while.

 

It is a shame at the current time, but it is all part of a jigsaw. The railway is building more siding space at Lydney Junction which will be home to the stock currently between the station and the mainline connection. Once, these vehicles are moved the railway will be building a carriage and restoration shed on the vacated space, they've just purchased some more land off of Network Rail to get the best possible design. Once that is built, Whitecroft will then get it's second platform and goods loop. I think the idea is, from what I remember from what I have read in the DFR Society's magazines, that the goods loop will be home to wagons on display when not in use.

 

Thanks for the update. I did wonder about all the space at Lydney Junction. Good to hear a shed is part of the plans. And great to hear there is a plan for Whitecroft. I hope the seemingly disused factory buildings adjoining the station get a new life...They add a nice flavour to remind that industry is part of the history of the forest.