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Dean Forest Railway steam gala 31/10 & 1/11

Discussion in 'Galas and Events' started by Paul.Uni, Jul 31, 2026.

  1. Paul.Uni

    Paul.Uni Well-Known Member

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    First visitor: 1054 from K&WVR. Info from DFR Facebook page.
     
    Paul.Uni, Jul 31, 2026
    #1
    Johnme101, JBTEvans, Mick45305 and 2 others like this.
  2. JBTEvans

    JBTEvans Part of the furniture

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    https://deanforestrailway.co.uk/steam-gala/

    "This year there is an ‘Early Bird Discount’ available of 10% off both adult and child tickets – tickets will return to full price a few days before the event."
     
    JBTEvans, Jul 31, 2026
    #2
  3. Paul.Uni

    Paul.Uni Well-Known Member

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    80078 announced as visiting. Info from the DFR Facebook page.

    Sent from my SM-A166B using Tapatalk
     
    Paul.Uni, Sep 28, 2026
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    Adam Tandy likes this.
  4. free2grice

    free2grice Part of the furniture Friend

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    A nice surprise. Latest visitor for the DFR Steam Gala 31st October - 1st November. <BJ>

    ''We’re delighted to confirm that joining LNWR Coal Tank No. 1054 and our home fleet for this year’s gala will be BR Standard 4 Tank No. 80078, with thanks to her owner.
    This veteran of the Eastern, Western and Midland regions started her BR life on the London Tilbury and Southend commuter traffic, before moving to Shrewsbury and later Croes Newydd before being withdrawn in 1965.
    Her visit marks the first of a BR Standard 4 Tank to the Dean Forest Railway, and quite possibly the first one along the branch!
    Tickets are available now for the gala weekend of 31st Oct / 1st Nov through our website – book now for the early bird discount''.

    [​IMG]
    Photo © Roy Macintyre
     
    Last edited: Sep 28, 2026
    free2grice, Sep 28, 2026
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  5. Paul.Uni

    Paul.Uni Well-Known Member

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    Paul.Uni, Oct 13, 2026
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  6. lil Bear

    lil Bear Resident of Nat Pres

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    Is there a timetable available anywhere?
     
    lil Bear, Oct 14, 2026
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  7. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    footage from my eldest of a pleasant day seeing 1054 on its passenger debut and the bonus of the NWPG tanks out
     
    Sidmouth, Oct 19, 2026 at 7:20 PM
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  8. Ben Jenden

    Ben Jenden Well-Known Member

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    Ben Jenden, Oct 22, 2026 at 2:54 PM
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  9. JBTEvans

    JBTEvans Part of the furniture

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    On facebook now.
     
    JBTEvans, Oct 22, 2026 at 6:35 PM
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  10. JBTEvans

    JBTEvans Part of the furniture

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    858788057_1138131988570578_6703820567452144922_n.jpg 857391673_1781636633125632_7921072225555118508_n.jpg
     
    JBTEvans, Oct 22, 2026 at 6:36 PM
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  11. LittleRedTrain

    LittleRedTrain Member

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    Unfortunately this timetable has the same issue that has put me off attending previous galas at the DFR.

    If you're coming from the North by public transport on Satt, the obvious train is the CrossCountry service from Nottingham/Birmingham which calls at Lydney at 1046.
    However, even if it's on time (unlikely) you have only 9 minutes to get across the crossing, walk to Lydney Jn, buy/collect tickets and board the 1055. If you miss that, it's a 1.5hr wait for the 12:25.

    Looks like it's a great event otherwise, but maybe something that could be considered in future.
     
    Last edited: Oct 23, 2026 at 12:41 PM
    LittleRedTrain, Oct 23, 2026 at 11:48 AM
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  12. free2grice

    free2grice Part of the furniture Friend

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    I can appreciate your frustration. Would it not be a good idea to contact the DFR prior to your visit and explain your situation. I have always found the railway to be very obliging in situations like this. Perhaps on this occasion they may be able to hold the 10:55 service for a few minutes to ensure that you, and probably others, can join it. <BJ>
     
    free2grice, Oct 23, 2026 at 12:26 PM
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  13. Gladiator 5076

    Gladiator 5076 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Bearing in mind it is a XC service we are talking about it would probably need to be more than a few minutes:). There have been no XC services the past 2 Saturdays, I guess due to engineering works, so cannot see what has happened recently.
     
    Gladiator 5076, Oct 23, 2026 at 12:35 PM
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  14. LittleRedTrain

    LittleRedTrain Member

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    I was debating between this and Chinnor anyway and have decided to go to the latter. I might drop the railway a line after the gala anyway as a suggestion for the future.
     
    LittleRedTrain, Oct 23, 2026 at 12:40 PM
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  15. JBTEvans

    JBTEvans Part of the furniture

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    The 0830 XC off New Street has a 20min connection at Gloucester with a TfW service to Cardiff arriving 1009 which means chance of catching the earlier train.

    I don't think asking the railway to run their first train out of Lydney Jcn until after 11am on a gala day is the right step.
     
    JBTEvans, Oct 23, 2026 at 4:23 PM
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