Dean Forest Railway Museum Trust

Registered Charity No. 1041295 Curator : John Metherall

Spend a moment of your visit to the Dean Forest Railway to look around our packed museum, specialising in Forest of Dean and Severn & Wye joint railway artefacts.   The museum is located through the shop at Norchard, and being on ground level is accessible to all visitors, elderly and wheelchair users included.   You are welcome to browse the museum on train running days. You do not need to purchase a travel ticket to visit the shop & museum at Norchard.Well worth a visit to find out about how the railway used to look, what they wore and what they used in yesteryear.

MUSEUM NEWS - January 2010

The Museum, a charitable trust situated within the Dean Forest Railway HQ at Norchard is dedicated to preserving relics of local railways, especially the Severn & Wye.   This year the museum celebrates the 40th anniversary of the formation of the Dean Forest Railway Society in February 1970 and the 200th anniversary of the opening of the line in June 1810 between Parkend and Lydney and the Act of Parliament which established the name as the Severn & Wye Railway & Canal Company. Later in the year an exhibition will recognize the 50th anniversary of the accident to the Severn Railway Bridge in 1960 which severed the connection between Lydney and Sharpness.   The DFR Museum was officially "Accredited" by the Museums, Libraries & Archives Council (MLA) in May 2007. The Museums Accreditation scheme sets nationally agreed standards for all museums in the UK. The award proves that it meets the guidelines on how it is run, how it looks after its collections and the services it provides its visitors.   John Metherall the Hon. Curator said the award recognised the hard work put in over many years by the volunteers and demonstrates the museum is a fit recipient for potential sponsorship and donations. Mark Wood, Chair of MLA, said "Being awarded Accreditation is an impressive achievement. It recognises the high standard and service the DFR museum provides and acknowledges the hard work of the staff."   The Curator is always pleased to hear of the whereabouts of railway artifacts from the Forest of Dean, especially from the Severn & Wye Railway. If anyone owns such items and is considering disposal he will be pleased to hear from them.

View the Norchard Telephone Exchange and vintage telephone equipment on display in the museum.

If you are member of the Dean Forest Railway Society and might be able to offer a few hours a week helping John our Curator in general duties in the museum, why not write to John at the Dean Forest Railway Museum Trust, Norchard, Forest Road, Lydney, Gloucestershire GL15 4ET or contact him via our web site contact form. We're always on the look out for some friendly helpful faces!