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COVID-19 Statement

The Dean Forest Railway will be reopening on April 17th, operating on Saturdays Sundays and Wednesdays. In order to be COVID-19 compliant, we have made changes to both what we are running and how we are running.

Full risk assessments and training have been provided for all our staff to ensure compliance. Please note that we do have many volunteers who volunteer as a family, so you may see volunteers working in close proximity who are related.

a close up of a sign

Changes to what will be running

We will no longer be offering our ‘Day Rover’ tickets, but instead will offer booked timeslots, departing only from Norchard Station, in order to carefully manage the number of passengers on board. We highly recommend booking online to ensure your space, as we will have a limited number of seats available. Please check the booking limits/information (available when you select your preferred train) before placing your booking.

We will also not be offering food service on board the trains, although we have introduced a new takeaway cream tea package, which can be collected from the cafe before boarding the train (booking required, weekends only).

We will be running a steam service on most weekends and Wednesdays.

Entrance & Tickets

Our ticket office has now moved to the entrance into Norchard Station (entering the station from our large, free car park). We will require all ticket holders to check in here before going through to the train.

We do ask that bookings are made online in advance as spaces are limited, but we will still be selling tickets for those who haven’t booked, provided seats are still available, but we will only be taking payment by card (contactless where possible).

Route through Norchard Station

We will be operating a one-way system through Norchard Station. You will be given a copy of this on the day and we will have marshalls and porters on site to guide you.

Current Rules

Please refer to the Government website here to check the current rules. The railway is in Gloucestershire, which is currently in Tier 2.

a screenshot of a cell phone
a screenshot of a cell phone

The Café

Whistles Café will be open, serving takeaway food and drinks only (baguettes, sandwiches, salads, sausage rolls and pasties, as well as a range of snacks, cakes and hot & cold drinks). Payment in the café will be taken by card only (contactless where possible).

We do ask that you wear a face mask/covering whilst in the café. There will be no seating inside the café, but we will have picnic tables available, spread throughout the station.

The Train

On boarding the train, our station porters will let you know when you may board and will guide you to the correct door for entry. Alternate bays of seats will be blocked off to ensure social distancing between groups on board the train.

We do ask that you wear a face mask/covering whilst moving through the train, especially at Parkend/Lydney Junction if you are getting off to use the facilities, as you will likely be walking past other passengers.

Please note that the train will not be stopping at Whitecroft or Lydney Town, nor will it stop at Norchard midway through the journey as it normally would.

The Shop & Museum

At the end of your journey you will exit the railway through the shop. We will require face masks/coverings to be worn at this time (unless you are exempt, as laid out by the government guidelines).

We will be limiting the numbers of those browsing the shop and visiting the museum, and this will be explained by our marshalls when you arrive at the shop. We will also only be taking payment by card (contactless where possible).