WYE VALLEY TRACK TO BE LAID ON DEAN FOREST EXTENSION

Network Rail donation will give railway’s northern extension ambitions a boost.

Track from the former Wye Valley line is to be relaid at the Dean Forest Railway – completing a sizeable part of its northern extension to Cinderford.

Network Rail has donated approximately three miles of track to the DFR from the nearby disused freight-only line to Tintern Quarry – the remaining stub of the Wye Valley route from Chepstow to Monmouth and Ross-on-Wye, which closed to passengers in 1959 – and the branch to the former MoD Royal Ordnance Factory at Glascoed (now used by BAe Systems) off the Newport-Hereford line.

The DFR Society is managing the project to recover the material, which has already commenced and will be completed during the spring and summer. Some of the track will be used for routine replacement on its existing running line between Lydney and Parkend – but, said DFRS Chairman Alastair Clarke: “Speech House Road is just under 2½ miles from Parkend, so Stage 1 of the northern extension can be achieved, in theory.

“The vast majority of the gifted track is reusable, other than sections cut out to remove thermit welds from the continuously welded track on the Wye Valley line.” The track is being recovered at the DFRS’ expense, with the total cost estimated at £10,000. Said Mr Clarke: “We’re not running an appeal as such, but we would welcome any donations, payable to Dean Forest Railway Society, c/o Norchard station.”

The DFR’s ultimate aim is to extend over the 1-in-40 gradient of Serridge Bank and reach Cinderford, about 6½ miles from Parkend – making the line more than ten miles long in total. Said Mr Clarke: “The Forestry Commission does not intend to create any more significant visitor parking in the forest and we are the preferred mode of transport, along with numerous tracks (on former railways) for walking and cycling.”

The railway is currently in “detailed discussions” with the Office of Rail and Road regarding the first task in the extension project – the construction of a level crossing at Traveller’s Rest, just north of its current Parkend terminus.

●● The DFR is holding an open day for prospective new volunteers on March 23. Booking is essential; call 01594 845840 or email volunteering@