Dean Forest Railway - Royal Forest of Steam 2023 - Oct 14/15

The Dean Forest Railway's signature Royal Forest of Steam gala returns for 2023 over the weekend of October 14th and 15th! We're delighted to announce that the theme for the Royal Forest of Steam 2023 will be "Steam in South Wales".

Taking inspiration from both our home fleet and the varied railways just across the border, mainline companies and industrial railways will be represented during the weekend.

The first visiting locomotive will be announced very soon, but you can look forward to our home fleet working alongside visiting engines drawn from across the country, multiple passenger trains, brake van rides in the demonstration goods train, as well as attractions at stations along the line.

A packed weekend, we’d love you to come and join us for a weekend of steam beneath the autumn tints in the Royal Forest of Dean. Tickets on sale now - https://deanforestrailway.co.uk/steam-gala/

 

Bendigedig! Thema berffaith ar gyfer y rheilffordd!

 

It's just 100 days to go until our "Steam in South Wales" Royal Forest of Steam 2023 gala!

We're delighted to announce that the first visiting loco for the Royal Forest of Steam 2023 "Steam in South Wales" gala will be No. 1340 'Trojan', appearing courtesy of the Didcot Railway Centre.

Built by the Avonside Engine Company in Bristol in 1897 for Dunn and Shute of Newport Town Dock, No. 1340 was purchased by the Alexandra Docks Railway in 1903, with the 100 mile system being absorbed by the GWR in 1923. No. 1340 worked at Cardiff Cathays and Radyr sheds, before being withdrawn from Cardiff in 1932. A life in industry followed, with preservation coming in 1968.

Recently returned to steam for the second time in preservation, No. 1340 will be one of the stars of the "Steam in South Wales" Gala on an extremely rare visit away from Didcot.

It's shaping up to be a packed weekend, we’d love you to come and join us for a weekend of steam in the Royal Forest of Dean. Tickets on sale now!

 

Will be interesting to see what exactly 1340 does!

 

Just be interesting to see it operate outside of Didcot.

 

Bagnal 401 from North Tyneside Railway announced as the second visitor

Sent from my SM-A137F using Tapatalk

 

To brighten up your Monday, we're delighted to announce that the second visiting loco joining No. 1340 for the "Steam in South Wales" Royal Forest of Steam 2023 gala will be Bagnall No. 401, appearing courtesy of the North Tyneside Steam Railway and the Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway. A visit which has been in the planning for a couple of years for this veteran of Port Talbot Steelworks, the modern Bagnall "New Standard 18" were intended to be the standard post war heavy shunter, but with the increasing popularity of diesel shunters only three were produced. Two of the locos, including No. 401, moved to the Longbridge plant of the Austin Motor Company, from where both were preserved. The "Steam in South Wales" Gala is shaping up to be a packed weekend, we’d love you to come and join us for a weekend of steam in the Royal Forest of Dean. Tickets on sale now for October 14th and 15th!

*photo courtesy of Matt Ditch photography

 

Is there a members discount on tickets @73101 The Royal Alex ? I emailed the railway but didn’t get a reply. I’ve got a family membership.

 

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Third guest loco - Roysth 1 from Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway

 

We're delighted to announce that the third visiting loco for the "Steam in South Wales" Royal Forest of Steam 2023 gala will be 'Rosyth No. 1', visiting courtesy of the Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway. Despite her Scottish name, this 1914 built Andrew Barclay is a South Wales veteran, having spent her working life at Pembroke Dock and RAF St Athan, before preservation by the Railway Club of Wales. Now in the care of the Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway, she'll make a fine sight against the autumn colours through the Forest alongside our other locos in action, and an interesting comparison with No. 1340 ‘Trojan’. We’d love you to come and join us for a weekend of steam in the Royal Forest of Dean. Tickets on sale now!

 

Hi Kingscross, I'm afraid we don't offer the concessions etc during special events.
Thanks,
DFR Gala Team

 

Has the timetable for the weekend been published?

 

Not yet, DFR usually only put the timetable up a few days before hand.

 

Timetables now live.

Saturday;
https://fh-sites.imgix.net/sites/36...rday-14th-October-2023-Timetable-1024x607.png

Sunday;
https://fh-sites.imgix.net/sites/36...nday-15th-October-2023-Timetable-1024x664.png

 

Not good if you are arriving by train and want a ride behind 1340.

 

No. 1340 'Trojan' will be working at Parkend Station both days with the Inspection Saloon - a great way to see the loco at work.

 

Will it be carrying passengers?

 

Did I see somewhere you can ride on the goods train? If so, is there a supplementary charge? Do you also need to show your electronic ticket or do you need to go to Norchard first?