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Title: First train to travel from Gloucester to Parkend since 1929 Post by: Chris from Nailsea on March 22, 2014, 21:38:28 From the Gloucester Citizen (http://www.gloucestercitizen.co.uk/train-travel-Gloucester-Parkend-1929/story-20842050-detail/story.html):
Quote First train to travel from Gloucester to Parkend since 1929 (http://www.gloucestercitizen.co.uk/images/localworld/ugc-images/276271/Article/images/20842050/5930461-large.jpg) Passengers booked tickets to travel from Gloucester to Parkend, for the first time in 85 years. Dean Forest Railway conductor guard Adam Williams, left, and Andrew Woodrow, senior ticket inspector. More than 100 people gathered at Gloucester Railway Station to travel through an historic route. The passengers booked tickets to travel from Gloucester to Parkend for the first time since 1929. The Dean Forest Railway's Multiple Unit festival, which took place this morning, saw the railway's pair of Diesel Multiple Units, joined by a visiting First Great Western Sprinter Class 150 Unit. Andrew Woodrow, senior ticket inspector from Dean Railway Station, said: ^This is the first time a train has gone from Gloucester to Parkend since 1929, it is great to see the route being used. It is great to see so many people here.^ Passenger Graham Pearson, who travelled from Birmingham, said: ^I have come from Birmingham to see this train go to Parkend.^ Title: Re: First train to travel from Gloucester to Parkend since 1929 Post by: TonyK on March 23, 2014, 21:29:19 Remind me where Parkend is, and what happened to this route that led to such a hiatus.
Title: Re: First train to travel from Gloucester to Parkend since 1929 Post by: grahame on March 23, 2014, 21:38:42 Remind me where Parkend is, and what happened to this route that led to such a hiatus. Top of the Dean Forest Railway (http://www.wellho.net/pix/dmuparkend.jpg) Turn right at Lydney Junction for St Mary's Halt, Lydney Town, Norchard and Parkend. http://www.wellho.net/share/forestofdean.html http://www.wellho.net/mouth/1757_Preserved-railways-struggling-to-the-future-.html Title: Re: First train to travel from Gloucester to Parkend since 1929 Post by: grahame on March 23, 2014, 21:46:43 "In 2006 Parkend Station was re-opened to the first regular passenger trains since 1929 and the DFR returned to its birthplace." says http://www.deanforestrailway.co.uk/section.php?xSec=20 ... I think that from 1929 until (?) some later date it was freight only - primarily coal ...
Title: Re: First train to travel from Gloucester to Parkend since 1929 Post by: JayMac on March 23, 2014, 22:14:51 To add to grahame's pic, some of my own from a visit to the Dean Forest Railway in 2012:
(http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt68/bignosemac/100_0656_zps75465d80.jpg) (http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt68/bignosemac/100_0670_zpsb3632009.jpg) (http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt68/bignosemac/100_0676_zpse5f4490a.jpg) (http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt68/bignosemac/100_0675_zpsc50325c3.jpg) The original 'main line' started at Sharpness, crossed the Severn on the Severn Railway Bridge and continued on from Parkend to Cinderford. There were numerous other lines (mostly freight) in the Forest of Dean, all part of the Severn & Wye Joint Railway (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Severn_and_Wye_Railway), owned by both the GWR and Midland. Well worth a visit to the DFR. It's a nice trundle through the forest. Something of a shoestring operation though. Title: Re: First train to travel from Gloucester to Parkend since 1929 Post by: Chris from Nailsea on March 23, 2014, 22:55:03 See also http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=10869.0 ;) :D ;D
Title: Re: First train to travel from Gloucester to Parkend since 1929 Post by: TonyK on March 24, 2014, 20:08:50 Ah, thanks all! I have been to Lydney to meet someone many years back, and saw it then, little knowing the significance. A return, not under duress, appears to be called for.
Title: Re: First train to travel from Gloucester to Parkend since 1929 Post by: Chris from Nailsea on March 26, 2014, 01:43:21 From the Western Daily Press (http://www.westerndailypress.co.uk/Train-journey-time-1929/story-20844472-detail/story.html):
Quote Train runs from Gloucester to Parkend for first time since 1929 (http://www.westerndailypress.co.uk/images/localworld/ugc-images/276309/Article/images/20844472/5934063-large.jpg) The First Great Western Sprinter 150 at Parkend station in the Forest of Dean. It was the first train to run there from Gloucester in 85 years. Picture: Mike Davies More than 100 people gathered at Gloucester Railway Station at the weekend to travel direct to Parkend in the Forest of Dean for the first time in 85 years. The passengers booked all 130 tickets aboard the First Great Western Sprinter Class 150 Unit for the adventure on Saturday, joining the Dean Forest Railway ^ of which Parkend is a part ^ from Lydney. Andrew Woodrow, senior ticket inspector from the Dean Forest Railway, said: "This is the first time a train has gone from Gloucester to Parkend since 1929, it is great to see the route being used and to see so many people here." The Dean Forest Railway is a popular tourist attraction. Locals are already accustomed to seeing a full-blown version of Thomas the Tank Engine trundling through the area and its Christmas 'Santa Specials' are also popular. Title: Re: First train to travel from Gloucester to Parkend since 1929 Post by: JayMac on March 26, 2014, 02:08:46 Nice humorous touch with the destination blind! ;D
Title: Re: First train to travel from Gloucester to Parkend since 1929 Post by: Chris from Nailsea on March 26, 2014, 02:17:22 Yes, I larfed with larfter at that one, too! ;) :D ;D
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