Heritage Diesel Train Ride

Heritage Diesel Train Ride through the Forest of Dean!

Although it is well known that Steam traction ruled the rails in the Forest of Dean, did you know that in the latter part of the networks’ history, Diesel locomotives played an important role too? The post-WW2 British Rail modernisation plan called for a replacement for steam traction to be found and by the early 60’s, plenty of new diesel locomotives were starting to ply their trade on the UK rail network.

The Forest of Dean, although often left with older locomotives and rolling stock, was not left out of this modernisation overhaul and soon services into the Forest were being hauled by new diesel locomotives. Although the majority of the coal extraction had wound down by this point, some traffic still existed alongside stone and other freight exports, so even right up to the closure of the line diesels could still be seen taking ballast wagons into and out of Parkend Marsh Sidings (which was located just over the road from our own Parkend station). In the early days the regular diesels would be Class 14 and 22 Diesel-Hydraulic locomotives, and in later years photographs show Class 25’s and 37’s Diesel-Electric locomotives working on the line.

We maintain this often forgotten part of the Forest of Dean Railway networks’ history with our Heritage Diesel days; on a limited number of days per year, we operate one of our heritage diesel locomotives on passenger trains, allowing you to travel back to the sights and sounds of the late 60’s and early 70’s.

We operate both diesel only running days and mixed steam & diesel running days on a selection of dates. A different timetable operates each day; we have displayed both below with the relevant dates. Don’t forget we also run diesel freight train days too, such as our ‘Tanker Train Days’ you can see by clicking here.

On Sunday 17th May we’re pleased to announce the return of ‘Shunter Sunday’ with 09106 and 08888

Valley Rail Preservation are kindly providing 08888 to run alongside 09106 on our passenger stock. 08888 hasn’t worked a passenger service since 2024 (and even that was only one special day), and crucially is not booked to work another during 2026.

08888 and 09106 will work together for the majority of the day and offer a variety of double heading, top’n’tailing and solo working during the day – we’ll publish the planned loco diagrams soon so you can plan your day in advance.

The following diesel only timetable will operate on:

• Sunday 19^th April – Booked traction is resident Class 73, E6003*
• Sunday 17^th May – Booked traction is resident Class 09, 09106 and Class 08, 08888.
• Sunday 21^st June – Traction TBC
• Sunday 19^th July – Traction TBC
• Sunday 16^th August – Traction TBC
• Sunday 27^th September – Traction TBC

*All traction subject to availability.

Tickets for diesel only dates are available as both single round trip tickets, which you are able to book on this page, or as ‘day rover’ tickets. A day rover allows you to ride all day and hop on /off as you like – these tickets can be booked by clicking here.

The following steam & diesel mixed traction timetable will operate on:

• Sunday 6^th September – Traction TBC
• Sunday 20^th September – Traction TBC

Tickets for steam & diesel mixed traction dates are available as both single round trip tickets, which you are able to book on this page, or as ‘day rover’ tickets. A day rover allows you to ride on both the steam and diesel trains all day and hop on /off as you like – these tickets can be booked by clicking here.

Looking for something a little extra? Add a takeaway cream tea or afternoon tea to your trip when placing your booking (and make them extra fancy with a 20cl bottle of prosecco!), available for pickup from Whistles Cafe before your train ride.

Your journey will last approximately 90 minutes, covering our nine mile round trip along our forest line. You will begin your journey at Norchard Station and travel south to Lydney Junction and north to Parkend before returning to Norchard. The train will stop for around 20 minutes at both ends of the line (Lydney Junction and Parkend), while the engine runs around, where you’ll have the perfect opportunity to get some photos of the train, as well as use the facilities if needed.

Don’t forget to visit our shop, museum and cafe at Norchard Station, which are open all day (although the cafe closes after the last round trip departs).

Traction information will be available closer to the date on both this page and our locomotive roster page.