What to see and do   Take the train! Your ticket is usually available for Unlimited Journeys on the day of issue (excluding Santa Specials and subject to seat availability). Passengers travel between Norchard, Lydney Junction and Parkend with the opportunity to alight at Lydney Town (for Bathurst Park for the children and the town shops) or St Mary's Halt (for the lake or Parish Church). Check the information leaflet issued with your travel ticket for more information and a local map for directions.   Visitors with special needs are catered for with limited space on all trains for wheelchairs. Please call before your visit if you have any particular needs or concerns you would like answered on 01594 845840. We will be only too pleased to help. We are sorry, but there are no toilets on our trains, but there are adequate facilities at Norchard, Lydney Junction and Parkend. Dogs are welcome on our trains (but not on 'Santa Specials' or 'Day out with Thomas' please unless Guide Dogs). All that we ask is that they are kept on a lead and do not sit on the seats and that you try to keep them from obstructing the aisles!   View the locos and rolling stock From the platforms, trains and other public areas you will see plenty of rolling stock and some locomotives. Some are currently being restored whilst others are still awaiting their turn as time and resources permit.  Click here to visit the Locomotives page   Take a walk There are several walks you can take from our stations and when we are able to open the line to Parkend, what better way to tie in with your walking holiday in the Forest of Dean than a trip on the Friendly Forest Line!   Riverside Stroll Opposite the old mine water outfall, take the steps down to the river from our Norchard car park. Follow the footpath to the left along the riverside. It is sometimes possible to see some interesting and unusual birds - such as dippers and grey wagtails - on this stretch of the river.   Please take great care when near water, especially with young children.   Click here to visit the Walks page

Scroll down for ideas   Browse the shop at Norchard At Norchard, where road visitors arrive at our FREE car park, take time out to browse our large Souvenir Shop with its extensive range of videos, books, model railway items, sweets, canned drinks, Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends gifts and other souvenirs.  Click here to visit the Shop page   Visit the museum at Norchard At Norchard, there is a museum located through the souvenir shop. It contains many fascinating historic railway artifacts including some from the Forest of Dean and surrounding railways.  Click here to visit the Museum page   Sales stands Along the platform adjacant to Plate-layers Buffet coach at Norchard, why not visit the '9681 Sales Coach'. Here you will find a selection of books, magazines, jigsaw puzzles and videos, many at bargain prices. On running days there is often a wide selection of Railway books and videos for sale as well. All the income from this Sales Coach benefits the Dean Forest Locomotive Group which raises money to keep our main loco, 9681, in service. Whilst travelling on the 'Heritage diesel railcar' have a look at the Sales Stand in the Guard' s compartment in the centre of the train, near the buffet. This stand offers an excellent selection of Railway books and other items of railway memorabilia as well as a variety of other goods including books, magazines, jigsaws and soft toys. All money raised here goes towards the upkeep of the DMU, a vital part of the Dean Forest Railway. On some special event days there are sometimes extra sales stands at Norchard, Lydney Junction and Parkend stations.