Coleford Railway
Encyclopedia
The Coleford Railway also known as the Coleford Branch, was a short-lived standard gauge
railway line which ran for approximately 5 miles (8 km) between Monmouth
and Coleford
. It was constructed in the 1880s, opened on 1 September 1883 and closed on 1 January 1917. It remained an independent company for about a year until the GWR took control of the railway in 1884.
in an attempt to reach Coleford, plans to extend the line to Coleford were abandoned when the Great Western Railway
purchased the line. It was later in 1883 that the Coleford Railway Co. finished construction of the branch line to Coleford.
The line became the fourth and final branch line to reach Monmouth Troy Station when it was opened on 1 September 1883. The railway followed the route of the Monmouth Tramroad for nearly all of its route, only making occasional deviations to straighten out sharp curves. The railway included four tunnels over its 5-mile route. There was only one stop between Wyesham Junction (where the line met the Wye Valley Railway
and continued on to Monmouth Troy Station) and Coleford; this was Newland
Station. At Monmouth passengers could change for the Coleford, Monmouth, Usk & Pontypool Railway, Ross and Monmouth Railway
as well as the Wye Valley Railway. The Coleford Branch never fulfilled the hopes expected of it and it closed between Wyesham Junction and Whitecliff Quarry on New Year's Day 1917.
There were several suggestions of opening the whole branch up under the control of the nearby Severn & Wye Railway; the railway which took over the stretch to Whitecliff Quarry
. However, the line was never fully re-opened because of the cost of maintenance.
) has been converted into a museum dedicated to the railways of the Forest of Dean
and the Great Western Railway. (See Coleford Great Western Railway Museum
)
Standard gauge
The standard gauge is a widely-used track gauge . Approximately 60% of the world's existing railway lines are built to this gauge...
railway line which ran for approximately 5 miles (8 km) between Monmouth
Monmouth
Monmouth is a town in southeast Wales and traditional county town of the historic county of Monmouthshire. It is situated close to the border with England, where the River Monnow meets the River Wye with bridges over both....
and Coleford
Coleford, Gloucestershire
Coleford is a small market town in Gloucestershire, England in the west of the Forest of Dean with a population of 8,351 . It is situated some four miles east of the Welsh border, and is close to the Wye Valley, a popular walking and canoeing area...
. It was constructed in the 1880s, opened on 1 September 1883 and closed on 1 January 1917. It remained an independent company for about a year until the GWR took control of the railway in 1884.
History
The Coleford, Monmouth, Usk & Pontypool Railway (CMU&PR) was the first company to plan a standard-gauge railway between Coleford and Monmouth, intending to construct the railway mainly over the route of the Monmouth Tramroad. However, the CMU&PR became bankrupt after the construction of the line between Monmouth and Pontypool. Although they had built a large viaduct across the River WyeRiver Wye
The River Wye is the fifth-longest river in the UK and for parts of its length forms part of the border between England and Wales. It is important for nature conservation and recreation.-Description:...
in an attempt to reach Coleford, plans to extend the line to Coleford were abandoned when the Great Western Railway
Great Western Railway
The Great Western Railway was a British railway company that linked London with the south-west and west of England and most of Wales. It was founded in 1833, received its enabling Act of Parliament in 1835 and ran its first trains in 1838...
purchased the line. It was later in 1883 that the Coleford Railway Co. finished construction of the branch line to Coleford.
The line became the fourth and final branch line to reach Monmouth Troy Station when it was opened on 1 September 1883. The railway followed the route of the Monmouth Tramroad for nearly all of its route, only making occasional deviations to straighten out sharp curves. The railway included four tunnels over its 5-mile route. There was only one stop between Wyesham Junction (where the line met the Wye Valley Railway
Wye Valley Railway
The Wye Valley Railway was a standard gauge railway that ran for nearly between Chepstow and Monmouth along the lower part of the scenic Wye Valley in Monmouthshire, Wales, and Gloucestershire, England. It followed the route of the River Wye for most of its length...
and continued on to Monmouth Troy Station) and Coleford; this was Newland
Newland, Gloucestershire
Newland is a village in the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire, England.It is notable for its parish church of All Saints, known as the 'Cathedral of the Forest'.- References :***-External links:...
Station. At Monmouth passengers could change for the Coleford, Monmouth, Usk & Pontypool Railway, Ross and Monmouth Railway
Ross and Monmouth Railway
The Ross and Monmouth Railway was a standard gauge railway of which ran between Ross-on-Wye and Monmouth....
as well as the Wye Valley Railway. The Coleford Branch never fulfilled the hopes expected of it and it closed between Wyesham Junction and Whitecliff Quarry on New Year's Day 1917.
There were several suggestions of opening the whole branch up under the control of the nearby Severn & Wye Railway; the railway which took over the stretch to Whitecliff Quarry
Whitecliff Quarry
Whitecliff Quarry was a quarry in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England. It was served by the Coleford Railway from 1883-1917 and the Severn and Wye Railway from 1917 until its closure in 1976. The quarry was near the town of Coleford....
. However, the line was never fully re-opened because of the cost of maintenance.
The Severn and Wye Railway
The station at Coleford was one of two stations at the town. The other was served by the Severn and Wye Railway which remained open for freight until 1960s, though passenger services were withdrawn earlier.Today's Remnants
The signal box and goods shed at the other station Coleford (ran by the S&WJRSevern and Wye Railway
The Severn and Wye Railway was a small railway network in west Gloucestershire that was constructed to allow exploitation of the mineral resources of the Forest of Dean. The Severn and Wye Railway and Canal Company began construction of the tramway and the Lydney Canal in 1810. In 1868 the tramway...
) has been converted into a museum dedicated to the railways of the Forest of Dean
Forest of Dean
The Forest of Dean is a geographical, historical and cultural region in the western part of the county of Gloucestershire, England. The forest is a roughly triangular plateau bounded by the River Wye to the west and north, the River Severn to the south, and the City of Gloucester to the east.The...
and the Great Western Railway. (See Coleford Great Western Railway Museum
Coleford Great Western Railway Museum
Coleford Great Western Railway Museum is a railway museum located in Coleford, Gloucestershire, England. The museum was founded in 1988. Based in the former GWR Goods Shed along the Coleford Railway. There was also another station situated at Coleford, it was opened by the Severn and Wye Railway...
)