Dean Forest Railway

It's also the same timing load that was used for Mallard when dragged down to Grantham 10 years ago. The timing load does not necessarily bear any relationship to what is actually in the train.

 

The NWPG have bought 11 wagons. Presumably they’re all coming down in one load.

 

11 of those bogie wagons will take up almost the same space as an 11-coach rake won’t they? That’s a lot of siding space…

 

TTA’s aren’t bogie tank wagons though, do I have to come out with my standard saying about railway history not ending in a certain year ending in 8?

 

Nice but a shame the only news is on FB. Most recent news on http://www.nwpg.co.uk/ is "A look ahead to 2022"

 

I stand corrected - thought it was the big bogie ones to that still operate thru Ribble Docks!

 

They're on their way now behind 37418. Plenty of photos on Facebook.

 

They are stabled in the old St Marys loop. Probably about a 5 carriage length.

 

Lovely day on the Dean Forest Railway today. The locomotive certainly has to work from Lydney to Parkend. Thanks to the volunteers who make it possible.

Sent from my M2003J15SC using Tapatalk

 

2024 plans for the DFR according to the 2024 leaflet -

Steam every* Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 13th March to Sunday 3rd November, Good Friday 29th March, Bank Holiday Mondays 1st April/6th/27th May/26th August plus Saturday 28th, Sunday 29th & Tuesday 31st December.

* - except in April, the only steam day that month will be Easter Monday, the rest of the month is then DMU shuttles only between Parkend and Norchard as Lydney Town crossing is being renewed.
The same shuttles also run on Tuesdays 23rd July to 20th August (but no service on the 27th).

The TAA tankers are due to be out alongside the regular steam service on Saturday 30th March, Sunday 11th August, Saturdays 28th September & 12th October.

Steam and diesel locomotive-hauled passenger trains due to run on Saturdays 10th-31st August plus Sunday 18th** August and Wednesday 11th September. ** - the leaflet says Sunday 25th is a Teddy Bear's Picnic (with D9521), so the 18th may be incorrect.

Spring Steam Gala - Saturday 25th & Sunday 26th May (Bank Holiday 27th is a normal steam day).
Diesel Gala - Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th September
Royal Forest of Steam Gala - Saturday 2nd & Sunday 3rd November.

Standard prices held from 2023, £16 adults for a round trip or £19 for a day rover. Under 18s half price and dogs £2, under 3's free. Day rovers not available on Wednesdays 24th July-28th August, but round trip tickets covers unlimited travel on the DMU that also runs on these days.

5541's boiler ticket has been extended to the end of December 2024, so this is the last year to catch the Small Prairie, alongside Pannier 9681.

 

Thanks for the update! With 5541 on its way out, are there any other locos under overhaul at the moment which might be expected in the next 18 months?

 

I am not a volunteer at the railway but I believe Austerity WD152 Rennes is getting a new boiler at some point during 2024 which will then allow a return to service.

The DFR's first steam locomotive - Peckett 0-4-0 'Uskmouth I' - is also due to return to steam for the first time in 30 years during 2024.

 

Fab, Rennes is a favourite of mine.

 

Saturday 30th March is the first 'Tanker Train Running Day'.

Going off Facebook, it seems the train will be made up of 6 of the National Wagon Preservation Group's TTA wagons with a brake van either end and hauled by class 08 number D3937. Not rideable as the train will be loose coupled.

The timetable is in this link Tanker Train Days | Dean Forest Railway

The regular steam service will also operate, details here.

 

There is a statement issued on the DFR website following the AGM which would seem to indicate some sort of problem...but it is not at all clear what the issue is, can somebody explain?

 

Whereabouts on the website?

 

On the society website: https://www.dfrsociety.org.uk/post/dean-forest-railway-society-statement

 

Sorry Martin, my IT skills are much more limited than my engineering skills , but Paul Grant has come to the rescue with the link.

 

The 25th-26th May is now a Branchline Weekend, with 5541, 9681 and the 3-car DMU in service. Timetable to be published.

I quite like the idea of this event, and a reminder this is 5541's last season before withdrawal for overhaul.

Normal day rover prices apply.