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Coordinates: 51°46′57″N 2°36′40″W / 51.78250°N 2.61111°W / 51.78250; -2.61111
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{{Short description|Minimum gauge railway in the Forest of Dean, England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2015}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2015}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2015}}
{{Perrygrove Railway}}
{{Perrygrove Railway}}
[[File:Steam train on Perrygrove Railway - geograph.org.uk - 38067.jpg|thumb|The ''Spirit of Adventure'' passing [[Rookwood railway station|Rookwood Station]]]]
[[File:Perrygrove station, from the entrance gate.jpg|thumb|"Mr Hallworth" at Perrygrove Station]]
[[File:Hackworth valvegear, Lydia, Perrygrove Railway.jpg|thumb|''Lydia'''s [[Hackworth valvegear]]]]
[[File:Hackworth valvegear, Lydia, Perrygrove Railway.jpg|thumb|''Lydia'''s [[Hackworth valvegear]]]]
[[File:Boiler backhead, Ursula, Perrygrove Railway.jpg|thumb|upright|Backhead of ''Ursula'' and the [[Sir Arthur Heywood|Heywood]] [[launch-type boiler]]]]
'''Perrygrove Railway''' runs through farmland and woods on the edge of the Forest of Dean. Passengers can ride on the train to use activities including a Treetop Adventure, a covered picnic and play area at Foxy Hollow, an Indoor Village with secret passages, and a den-building area in the woods.


'''Perrygrove Railway''' is a [[heritage railway]] of {{RailGauge|15in}} gauge. It is located at Perrygrove Farm in the [[Royal Forest of Dean]] near [[Coleford, Gloucestershire|Coleford]], [[Gloucestershire]], [[England]]. Trains travel at frequent intervals on a round trip of {{convert|1+1/2|mi|km|1}} between four stations.
'''Perrygrove Railway''' is a [[minimum-gauge railway]] of {{Track gauge|15in|lk=on}} gauge. It is located at Perrygrove Farm in the [[Forest of Dean]], near [[Coleford, Gloucestershire|Coleford]], [[Gloucestershire]], England. Trains travel at frequent intervals on a round trip of {{convert|1+1/2|mi|km|1}} between four stations. Passengers can ride on the train to use activities including a Treetop Adventure, a covered picnic and play area at Foxy Hollow, an Indoor Village with secret passages, and a den-building area in the woods.

⚫
The railway was inspired by the [[minimum gauge]] [[estate railway]]s or [[British narrow gauge railways]] developed by [[Arthur Heywood|Sir Arthur Heywood]] at the end of the 19th century, including his pioneering [[Duffield Bank Railway]] and the later [[Eaton Hall Railway]]. Until mid 2014, based at Perrygrove were the Heywood Collection and associated replica vehicles built by James Waterfield, including the locomotive "Ursula" and the Duffield Bank Dining Carriage. These are now in private storage offsite.





⚫
The railway was inspired by the [[minimum gauge]] [[estate railway]]s or [[British narrow gauge railways]] developed by [[Sir]] [[Arthur Heywood]] at the end of the 19th century, including his pioneering [[Duffield Bank Railway]] and the later [[Eaton Hall Railway]]. Until recently based at Perrygrove were the Heywood Collection and associated replica vehicles built by James Waterfield, including the locomotive "Ursula" and the Duffield Bank Dining Carriage. These are now in private storage offsite.


==Locomotives==
==Locomotives==
Line 15: Line 18:
===Steam===
===Steam===
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Number & Name
! Name
! Description
! Description
! Current Status
! Current Status
! Livery
! Livery
! Builders
! Builders
! Image
|-
|-
|Spirit of Adventure
|Spirit of Adventure
|0-6-0T built by Exmoor Steam Railway
|{{whyte|0-6-0|T}} built by Exmoor Steam Railway
⚫
| Operational
|Ten Year overhaul 2013/15, now regularly in use
| Maroon
|Maroon
|[[Exmoor Steam Railway]]
|[[Exmoor Steam Railway]]
|[[File:‘Spirit of Adventure’, Perrygrove Railway, Coleford, England arp.jpg|‘Spirit of Adventure’, Perrygrove Railway, Coleford, England arp|150px]]
|-
|-
|Lydia
|Lydia
|2-6-2T with [[Hackworth valvegear]]
|{{whyte|2-6-2|T}} with a variation on Marshall valvegear
|Operational
|Operational
|Blue
|Midnight Blue
|[[Alan Keef|Alan Keef Ltd]] Due to be withdrawn for overhaul 2017.
|[[Alan Keef|Alan Keef Ltd]] Withdrawn for overhaul 2017. Re-entered service following overhaul August 2018 .
⚫
|
[[File:Lydialoco.jpg|Lydialoco|150px]]
|-
|-
|Soony
|Tasmania
|Replica [[Baldwin Locomotive Works|Baldwin]] {{whyte|0-4-0}}, privately owned.
|Replica [[TGR K class|K1]] [[Garratt|Garratt articulated locomotive]] from the [[Bush Mill Railway]].
|Operational
|Ten year overhaul started 2016
|Green
|Green
|Joe Nemeth Engineering Ltd.
|Bush Mill Railway, Tasmania
|
[[File:PerrygroveSoony.png|PerrygroveSoony|150px]]
|-
|-
|Anne
|{{whyte|0-6-2|T}}, previously [[Longleat Safari Park|Longleat Railway]] no. 6 "John Hayton". Arrived February 2015 and entered service September 2016.
|Operational
|Purple
|[[Exmoor Steam Railway]]
|
[[File:PerrygroveAnne.jpg|PerrygroveAnne|150px]]
|-
|Mr Hallworth
|{{whyte|0-6-0|ST}}
|Undergoing testing
⚫
|Green
|North Bay Railway Engineering Services
|
[[File:MrHallworthPerrygrove.jpg|MrHallworthPerrygrove|150px]]
|}
|}
0-4-0 27 "Soony" (Nemeth, Bristol, 2013). Operational. Black. This new Baldwin style privately owned loco is often on site, but only used on special occasions.

0-6-2T "Anne" (Exmoor, 2005) Operational. Purple. Arrived Feb 2015 from Longleat as "John Hayton". 10-year overhaul carried out offsite. Returned to Perrygrove Sept 2016.


===Diesel===
===Diesel===
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Number & Name
! Name
! Current Status
! Current Status
! Livery
! Livery
! Builders
! Builders
! Image
|-
|-
|Workhorse
|Workhorse, 26014 of 1963<ref name="IRS 16EL">{{cite book | author = [[Industrial Railway Society]] | title = Industrial Locomotives (16EL) | publisher = Industrial Railway Society | year = 2012 | isbn = 978 1 901556 78 0}}</ref>
|Operational
|Operational
|Yellow
|Yellow
|[[Motor Rail]] of Bedford
|[[Motor Rail]] of Bedford
|
[[File:PerrygroveWorkhorse.jpg|PerrygroveWorkhorse|150px]]
|-
|-
|Jubilee
|Jubilee, 9337 of 1994<ref name="IRS 16EL" />
|Operational
|Operational
|Red
|Red
|[[Hunslet Engine Company]] at Jack Lane, Leeds
|[[Hunslet Engine Company]] at Jack Lane, Leeds
|
[[File:Perry Railway locomotive "Jubilee".jpg|Perry_Railway_locomotive_"Jubilee"|150px]]
|-
|-
|N/A
|Pylon, 40407 of 1954<ref name="IRS 16EL" />
|Under construction
⚫
|Operational
|N/A
⚫
|Green
|Perrygrove Railway. Utilizing components from a Hunslet Jenbach donor locomotive
|[[R A Lister and Company]]
⚫
|-
|}
|}
Guest 4w-6DM "Dreadnought" of 1960.

Dismantled 2015, frames and bogies sold. Power unit stored for eventual rebuild


==History==
==History==
Perrygrove Farm was purchased by Michael and Frances Crofts in 1993. Construction of the railway commenced in 1995 and it opened on 1 August 1996. The railway welcomes day trippers, tourists and railway enthusiasts. The first two types of visitor are attracted by the promise of a great day out in the beautiful Forest of Dean, with picnic and play facilities outdoors and under cover, and an Indoor Village with secret passages, in addition to train rides. A unique treasure hunt is also offered: the railway supplies a key to open a hidden box of treasure, and clues to help treasure hunters find it. Clues are scattered in the ancient woodland where real treasure was found in 1849. Santa experiences, held in a refurbished area of the carriage shed are particularly popular.
Perrygrove Farm was purchased by Michael and Frances Crofts in 1993. Construction of the railway commenced in 1993, and it opened on 1 August 1996. The railway welcomes day trippers, tourists and railway enthusiasts.


[[File:Steam train on Perrygrove Railway - geograph.org.uk - 38067.jpg|thumb|The ''Spirit of Adventure'' passing [[Rookwood railway station|Rookwood Station]] in 2003]]
There are two sections of 1 in 29 gradient, and two of 1 in 50, and very sharp curves in places, making it an interesting journey for visitors, and challenging for loco crews.


The venue has picnic and play facilities outdoors and under cover, and an indoor village with secret passages, in addition to train rides. A treasure hunt is also offered: the railway supplies a key to open a hidden box of treasure, and clues to help treasure hunters find it. Clues are scattered in the ancient woodland where real treasure was found in 1849. Santa experiences are held in a refurbished area of the carriage shed each year.
In September 2011 a passing loop was commissioned at Rookwood, allowing a 20-minute interval service at busy times.


In 2012 a long siding was laid alongside the loop at Perrygrove.


There are two sections of 1-in-29 gradient, and two of 1 in 50, and very sharp curves in places, making it an interesting journey for visitors, and challenging for loco crews. In September 2011 a passing loop was commissioned at Rookwood, allowing a 20-minute-interval service at busy times. In 2012 a long siding was laid alongside the loop at Perrygrove. In early 2013, a short, steep spur off the above siding was laid at Perrygrove ("Wharf Road"). In summer 2013, the siding at Oakiron was relaid and a short spur laid off it. A siding was laid at Rookwood, off the passing loop, to allow access to a newly seeded area suitable for marquee-type events, including wedding receptions.
In early 2013, a short steep spur off the above siding was laid at Perrygrove ("Wharf Road").


[[File:Perrygrove Light Railway (geograph 4038731).jpg|thumb|"Lydia" departs Perrygrove Station with a 3-coach train]]
In summer 2013, the siding at Oakiron was relaid and a short spur laid off it. A siding was laid at Rookwood, off the passing loop, to allow access to a newly seeded area suitable for marquee type events including wedding receptions.
⚫
The railway opened every weekend through the winter of 2012/13 for the first time, using diesel loco "Jubilee" most of the time, with steam on most operating days from Easter, see website.


⚫
Articles featuring the railway's "Estate Railway Experience" (where enthusiasts run the line as a Heywood style estate railway) appeared in editions of ''Miniature Railway'' magazine, Narrow Gauge World and Garden Railway in spring/ summer 2013, and ''Steam Railway'' magazine in December 2013.
⚫
The railway opened every weekend through the winter of 2012/13 for the first time, and is doing so again in 2014/15, using diesel loco "Jubilee" most of the time, with steam on most operating days from Easter, see website.


The railway regularly hold wedding receptions either in a marquee at Rookwood, or the carriage shed at Perrygrove.
⚫
Articles featuring the railway's "Estate Railway Experience" (where enthusiasts run the line as a Heywood style estate railway) appeared in editions of Miniature Railway magazine, Narrow Gauge World and Garden Railway in spring/ summer 2013, and Steam Railway magazine in December 2013.


The railway is a member of the Wye Valley and Forest of Dean Tourism Association, which promotes tourism in the area. It is a member of the [[Heritage Railway Association]] and [[Britains Great Little Railways Ltd.]].
The railway is a member of the Wye Valley and Forest of Dean Tourism Association, which promotes tourism in the area. It is a member of the [[Heritage Railway Association]] and [[Britains Great Little Railways]].


==References==
==References==
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*[http://www.perrygrove.co.uk/ Official website]
*[http://www.perrygrove.co.uk/ Official website]
*[http://www.wyevalleytourism.co.uk/ Wye Valley & Forest of Dean Tourism website]
*[http://www.wyevalleytourism.co.uk/ Wye Valley & Forest of Dean Tourism website]
*[http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/38067 photo of a steam train on the Perrygrove Railway on geograph]
*[https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/38067 photo of a steam train on the Perrygrove Railway on geograph]


{{Heritage railways in England}}
{{Heritage railways in England}}
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{{coord|51|46|57|N|2|36|40|W|scale:100000_type:landmark_region:GB-GLS|display=title}}
{{coord|51|46|57|N|2|36|40|W|scale:100000_type:landmark_region:GB-GLS|display=title}}
{{Transport in Gloucestershire}}


[[Category:Heritage railways in Gloucestershire]]
[[Category:Heritage railways in Gloucestershire]]

Revision as of 21:39, 23 March 2024

"Mr Hallworth" at Perrygrove Station
Lydia's Hackworth valvegear

Perrygrove Railway is a minimum-gauge railway of 15 in (381 mm) gauge. It is located at Perrygrove Farm in the Forest of Dean, near Coleford, Gloucestershire, England. Trains travel at frequent intervals on a round trip of 1+1⁄2 miles (2.4 km) between four stations. Passengers can ride on the train to use activities including a Treetop Adventure, a covered picnic and play area at Foxy Hollow, an Indoor Village with secret passages, and a den-building area in the woods.

The railway was inspired by the minimum gauge estate railways or British narrow gauge railways developed by Sir Arthur Heywood at the end of the 19th century, including his pioneering Duffield Bank Railway and the later Eaton Hall Railway. Until mid 2014, based at Perrygrove were the Heywood Collection and associated replica vehicles built by James Waterfield, including the locomotive "Ursula" and the Duffield Bank Dining Carriage. These are now in private storage offsite.



Locomotives

Steam

Name Description Current Status Livery Builders Image
Spirit of Adventure 0-6-0T built by Exmoor Steam Railway Operational Maroon Exmoor Steam Railway ‘Spirit of Adventure’, Perrygrove Railway, Coleford, England arp
Lydia 2-6-2T with a variation on Marshall valvegear Operational Midnight Blue Alan Keef Ltd Withdrawn for overhaul 2017. Re-entered service following overhaul August 2018 .

Lydialoco

Soony Replica Baldwin 0-4-0, privately owned. Operational Green Joe Nemeth Engineering Ltd.

PerrygroveSoony

Anne 0-6-2T, previously Longleat Railway no. 6 "John Hayton". Arrived February 2015 and entered service September 2016. Operational Purple Exmoor Steam Railway

PerrygroveAnne

Mr Hallworth 0-6-0ST Undergoing testing Green North Bay Railway Engineering Services

MrHallworthPerrygrove

Diesel

Name Current Status Livery Builders Image
Workhorse Operational Yellow Motor Rail of Bedford

PerrygroveWorkhorse

Jubilee Operational Red Hunslet Engine Company at Jack Lane, Leeds

Perry_Railway_locomotive_"Jubilee"

N/A Under construction N/A Perrygrove Railway. Utilizing components from a Hunslet Jenbach donor locomotive

History

Perrygrove Farm was purchased by Michael and Frances Crofts in 1993. Construction of the railway commenced in 1993, and it opened on 1 August 1996. The railway welcomes day trippers, tourists and railway enthusiasts.

The Spirit of Adventure passing Rookwood Station in 2003

The venue has picnic and play facilities outdoors and under cover, and an indoor village with secret passages, in addition to train rides. A treasure hunt is also offered: the railway supplies a key to open a hidden box of treasure, and clues to help treasure hunters find it. Clues are scattered in the ancient woodland where real treasure was found in 1849. Santa experiences are held in a refurbished area of the carriage shed each year.


There are two sections of 1-in-29 gradient, and two of 1 in 50, and very sharp curves in places, making it an interesting journey for visitors, and challenging for loco crews. In September 2011 a passing loop was commissioned at Rookwood, allowing a 20-minute-interval service at busy times. In 2012 a long siding was laid alongside the loop at Perrygrove. In early 2013, a short, steep spur off the above siding was laid at Perrygrove ("Wharf Road"). In summer 2013, the siding at Oakiron was relaid and a short spur laid off it. A siding was laid at Rookwood, off the passing loop, to allow access to a newly seeded area suitable for marquee-type events, including wedding receptions.

"Lydia" departs Perrygrove Station with a 3-coach train

The railway opened every weekend through the winter of 2012/13 for the first time, using diesel loco "Jubilee" most of the time, with steam on most operating days from Easter, see website.

Articles featuring the railway's "Estate Railway Experience" (where enthusiasts run the line as a Heywood style estate railway) appeared in editions of Miniature Railway magazine, Narrow Gauge World and Garden Railway in spring/ summer 2013, and Steam Railway magazine in December 2013.

The railway regularly hold wedding receptions either in a marquee at Rookwood, or the carriage shed at Perrygrove.

The railway is a member of the Wye Valley and Forest of Dean Tourism Association, which promotes tourism in the area. It is a member of the Heritage Railway Association and Britains Great Little Railways.

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Perrygrove Railway.

51°46′57″N 2°36′40″W / 51.78250°N 2.61111°W / 51.78250; -2.61111

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