The Lydbrook Branch, originally part of the Severn & Wye Railway, saw its passenger trains withdrawn as early as 1929. One of these was a curious service which operated between Berkeley Road and Lydbrook Junction via Severn Bridge, Lydney and Cinderford. From Cinderford it retraced its route back to Serridge Junction to gain the Lydbrook Branch for the final leg.
Services also ran in the opposite direction, and on a wintry February morning we join the 8.45am from Lydbrook Junction to Lydney with GWR Class 517 0-4-2T No.527 in charge of 2 clerestory coaches...
Lydbrook Junction looking north towards Ross
The Lydney train waits in the Lydbrook Branch platform
Ready to depart at 8.45am
Passing Bicknor siding
Crossing Lydbrook Viaduct
Running into Lower Lydbrook
Waiting for clearance at Lower Lydbrook (In fact this station closed in 1903!)
Signal check on approach to Upper Lydbrook
4 minutes late for 8.51am stop at Upper Lydbrook
Further delayed by the crossing
Getting away past the churchyard.
To be continued...
Dave
