Tanker Train Days

The Forest of Dean Railway network was really designed and constructed for freight traffic; passenger services were second fiddle and North of Lydney Town, scheduled and regular services ceased as early as 1929. Millions of tonnes of freight was extracted out of the Forest via rail, the majority through the branch line the DFR has preserved, and then shipped onwards either via rail at Lydney Junction or via sea at Lydney Docks. Primarily this was coal but also some iron ore and timber made up the numbers, and in the last few years of commercial operation, ballast for use under railway track. Therefore one of the best ways to experience the sights and sounds of how the DFR really would have been back in the day is to ride on a freight train!

We run two different rideable freight train experiences, our ‘Goods Train Days’ (link to that coming soon) and our ‘Tanker Train Days’, which are run in association with the National Wagon Preservation Group. Our ‘Tanker Train Days’ are always hauled by one of our heritage diesel locomotives, and we form up a train consisting of a number of tankers and our passenger carrying Queen Mary Brake van.

Although the TTA tankers for which we run our ‘Tanker Train Days’ were never regularly seen in the Forest of Dean, they can still provide a way in which you can enjoy the freight train experience as they make all of the right sounds that are unique to freight train working. Our Queen Mary has large open verandas and is always positioned on the North end of the train, meaning you’ll get the hear the loco properly working as it takes you up the hill, with sections as steep as 1 in 135, to Parkend.  You’ll be sharing space with the guard who will be happy to talk to you about the processes that is involved with running freight wagons and how it differs from passenger stock.

Our 2026 tanker train running days will be held on:

• Saturday 4th April – Booked traction is resident Class 73, E6003*
• Saturday 13th June – Traction TBC
• Saturday 5th September – Traction TBC
• Sunday 18th October – Traction TBC

*All traction subject to availability.

The timetable is as follows:

This year all of our tanker trains are planned to be rideable, however there are very limited spaces to travel on board our brake van, so we recommend snapping up your space beforehand. Please note that this experience is only available for ages 12 and above, and dogs are not able to travel on these trains. There is no accessible access onto the Queen Mary Brake Van and there is a very limited number of seats (two!), so typically you will be standing for the entire experience. The locomotive which will be used on each day will be confirmed nearer the day, both on this page and our locomotive roster page.