Dean Forest Railway

With apologies to John Cleese...

Well may I ask what you expected to see out of a Dean Forest Railway train window? Sydney Opera House perhaps? The Hanging Gardens of Babylon? Herds of wildebeest sweeping majestically across the plain?

 

I always enjoy a trip on the line too. Agree with what you say but I like the trees! The winding route and trees make it seem much longer than it really is and add to the interest of the pleasantly short trip. But the main interest of the line is its industrial history. The route and the Forest generally, is full of the remains of mining and other industries together with their associated tramways and railways. These are well documented in books in the excellent shop and museum and you can see the remains from the line. The railway is trying to make the best of them, eg recently restored wagons either side of the former siding whose rails cross the road at Parkend. Plenty of walks on the old routes too with more remains to see.

 

This looks rather splendid:

 

Is free-mined Forest of Dean Coal any good for firing Locos ?

 

I am no expert but visited the Forest of Dean last year and certainly some of the mined seams provided steam coal.

Eg. https://www.forestofdeanhistory.org.uk/learn-about-the-forest/eastern-united-colliery/

 

My impression of the miners in the Forest is that they find taking visitors underground is easier and more profitable that mining coal. https://hopewellcolliery.com/ Well worth a visit, though.

 

I’ve used it in my traction engine and it burns well, if a little smokey. I got a bag of it from Hopewell colliery after doing an underground tour there.

 

Looks the proverbial etc. I had a look at the DFR FB group and it looks like Rennes is still sat out of use. Wasn't it on the cards to be repaired?

 

It is. Repairs are well underway.

 

Thank you for the update. I wasnt sure of the scope of the work and I know a lot of effort went in to getting 9681 finished.

 

Did you bring it to Speech House Rally, a local pit supplied a fair bit of Yorkley seam coal for it. It's a nice lump but a mite smokey until it gets hot. High Delf would have been perfect, but getting decent sized lump is difficult as there's not much left of it and what's left tends to get crushed by the strata

 

I see the DFR has a vacancy for GM

https://deanforestrailway.co.uk/job-vacancies/

 

Hi all,
Can anyone provide me with an update on the status of the two (or more?) Hunslet 50550 0-6-0STs, HE 2411 and 2413 Gunby? I understand 2413 is under restoration; how js this coming along? And is 2411 purely a parts donor or is it going to be restored in its own right?
Thanks!

 

Saw Gunby in the shed with boiler out and lots of work progressing last week. Unsure of plan for 2411 but both are privately owned.

 

Steam Galas this year are 20/21 May & 14/15 October.

Diesel Gala 9/10 September.

 

Some good news regarding the TTA tank wagons appeal. A delivery of the wagons is provisionally due to arrive at Lydney tomorrow 7/3/2023 behind 37.418

6Z42 09:45 Gascoigne Wood to Lydney Realtime Trains | 6Z42 0945 Gascoigne Wood Sidings to Lydney Up Goods Loop | 07/03/2023

Wagon preservation group launches appeal to save last TTA tank wagons (railadvent.co.uk)

<BJ>

 

715 tons trailing load, 46 tons each wagon. How many tanks are coming?

 

11. It does not add up. 46 t is not the tare either.....

Sent from my 2201122G using Tapatalk

 

That is the same load as the move of 70000 to Swanage with its support coach. It is all to do with working out acceleration for pathing in the NR system isn't it? I guess a 37 has slower acceleration than say a 66.