Dean Forest Railway Summer Steam: 15th - 17th June 2018

The Royal Forest of Steam 2018

The Dean Forest Railway has announced the dates for its 2018 Gala over the weekend of the 15th - 17th June. Visiting locos have now been finalised, with plenty of other attractions to be announced!

Locomotives:

Ex-GWR Small Prairie no. 5541 (celebrating its 90th 'birthday')
LMR Austerity no. 152 'Rennes'
BR Ivatt 2MT Tank no. 41312
IW&D 0-6-0ST no. 34 'Portbury'

 

Last night the DFR Facebook page officially announced BR Ivatt 2MT no. 41312 from the Mid Hants Railway as its first visiting locomotive. It will be the first time this smart loco has ever visited the Forest (indeed the first time that any loco of this class has ever travelled over DFR metals).

The Forest of Dean Model Railway Club have also confirmed their attendance to provide a small exhibition within the shop building, including the possibility of an N gauge model of Parkend station as it used to be...

Other attractions and another visiting locomotive are due to be announced in the run-up to the event.

 

Very nice indeed!


5541 has also been repainted this winter (still BR late lined green), see here.

 

Next visiting locomotive confirmed as "Portbury" from the bristol harbour railway

 

Tickets are now on sale for this event online -

FRIDAY Ticket Prices

• Adult £18.00
• Senior (60+) £16.00
• Child (5-16) £8.00

SATURDAY & SUNDAY Ticket Prices

• Adult £19.00
• Senior (60+) £17.00
• Child (5-16) £9.00

https://deanforestrailway.digitickets.co.uk/category/13781

 

Late post on here but unfortunately 'Portbury' is no longer able to attend due to mechanical issues. On the plus side, a replacement has been found in the shape of Austerity no. 75008 'Swiftsure', which will be making it's final appearances before departing from Norchard.

Mini Driver Experiences will be available over the course of the weekend, with LMR Austerity no. 152 'Rennes' rostered for this duty - drive a steam locomotive for only £10!

On the Friday evening, an exclusive tour of the line from the Network Rail boundary to the Parkend headshunt will run behind no.41312. Titled 'The Forest Explorer', tickets will be priced at £17.50 and will be available shortly - a cold buffet is included in your ticket, and departure is at 6PM from Norchard Low Level. We expect this to sell quickly!

 

Any news on a timetable

 

Hi,

Timetable has been finalised, and will be released to the public tomorrow or Friday. Hopefully the former with any luck!

Pleased to say that we will be hosting a selection of traction engines at Norchard and Parkend (subject to the usual caveats) which will provide some more attractions at these locations. Subject to final details being completed, there will also be a beer tent at Parkend hosted by the Bespoke Brewing Company.

41312 arrived on site today, looking forward to seeing her in action!

 

Timetable now released on the DFR Facebook page, to be uploaded to the website very soon:

https://www.facebook.com/deanforestrailway/

 

Nice to see the Mickey being used so heavily, and the evening runs are a great addition.

 

Really enjoyable day at the gala today, thanks to all involved;

Here's my video: