91.125.61.106 (talk) I have added more detail to several parts of this article as well as editing several areas. |
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[[Image:Monmouth viaduct.jpg|thumb|The disused [[viaduct]] outside [[Monmouth]], used by the Wye Valley Railway but first opened for another line in 1861, is a prominent feature of the local landscape]] |
[[Image:Monmouth viaduct.jpg|thumb|The disused [[viaduct]] outside [[Monmouth]], used by the Wye Valley Railway but first opened for another line in 1861, is a prominent feature of the local landscape]] |
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The '''Wye Valley Railway''' |
The '''Wye Valley Railway''' ran for {{convert|15|mi|km}} between [[Chepstow]] and [[Monmouth]] along the lower part of the scenic [[Wye Valley]] in [[Monmouthshire (historic)|Monmouthshire]], [[Wales]], and [[Gloucestershire]], [[England]]. The line opened in 1876. It closed for passenger traffic in 1959 and for goods traffic in 1964, but part was still used for quarry traffic until 1992. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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The line was inaugurated by an Act of Parliament in 1866, although construction was delayed until 1874 because of national economic circumstances.<ref name=handley&dingwall>B. M. Handley and R. Dingwall, ''The Wye Valley Railway and the Coleford Branch'', 1982, ISBN 0-85361-530-6</ref> The southern part of the line, between Chepstow and [[Tintern]], was particularly complex in engineering terms, requiring a long tunnel of 1188 yards at [[Tidenham]], a stretch along a steep hillside above the [[River Wye]], and a second short tunnel and bridge at Tintern. Evangelical services were organised at Woodcroft, Tidenham, partly in an attempt to combat drunkenness among the labourers building the railway.<ref>[http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15757 British History Online - Tidenham]</ref> North of Tintern the line followed the valley bottom, with a bridge over the river at [[Penallt]]. Outside Monmouth, the line used an existing viaduct across the river which had been built in 1861 by engineer Joseph Firbank to carry the [[Coleford, Gloucestershire|Coleford]], Monmouth, [[Usk]] and [[Pontypool]] Railway.<ref name=handley&dingwall/> |
The line was inaugurated by an Act of Parliament in 1866, although construction was delayed until 1874 because of national economic circumstances.<ref name=handley&dingwall>B. M. Handley and R. Dingwall, ''The Wye Valley Railway and the Coleford Branch'', 1982, ISBN 0-85361-530-6</ref> The southern part of the line, between Chepstow and [[Tintern]], was particularly complex in engineering terms, requiring a long tunnel of 1188 yards at [[Tidenham]], a stretch along a steep hillside above the [[River Wye]], and a second short tunnel and bridge at Tintern. Evangelical services were organised at Woodcroft, Tidenham, partly in an attempt to combat drunkenness among the labourers building the railway.<ref>[http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15757 British History Online - Tidenham]</ref> North of Tintern the line followed the valley bottom, with a bridge over the river at [[Penallt]]. Outside Monmouth, the line used an existing viaduct across the river which had been built in 1861 by engineer Joseph Firbank to carry the [[Coleford, Gloucestershire|Coleford]], Monmouth, [[Usk]] and [[Pontypool]] Railway.<ref name=handley&dingwall/> |
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The Wye Valley Railway was opened on 1 November 1876, from Wye Valley Junction near Chepstow, on the main line between [[Gloucester]] and [[Newport]], to Monmouth Troy station |
The Wye Valley Railway was opened on 1 November 1876, from Wye Valley Junction near Chepstow, on the main line between [[Gloucester]] and [[Newport]], to Monmouth Troy station, where passengers could change for Pontypool and [[Ross-on-Wye]]. Trains stopped at the intervening stations of Tidenham, Tintern, [[Bigsweir]] (later renamed [[St. Briavels]]), and [[Redbrook]]. A short branch was also provided across the [[River Wye|river]] to the [[wire|wireworks]] at Tintern, although by the time it was completed the works had gone out of business. A branch line also ran to [[Coleford, Gloucestershire|Coleford]] between 1883 and 1916. |
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⚫ | Its rails were sent for use on the railways of the [[Western Front]], but were sunk in transit across the [[English Channel]].<ref name=nicholson>[http://homepage.ntlworld.com/nigel.nicholson/gn/page%2032.htm History of the line by Gawain Nicholson]</ref><ref name=james>[http://www.urban75.org/photos/wales/wye_valley.html J. J. Davis, ''The Railways of Monmouth'', 1959]</ref><ref>[http://www.wyevalleyaonb.org.uk/pages/wye_so_special/industrial.asp Wye Valley AONB industrial heritage]</ref> |
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The line was intended to serve both tourist traffic, such as those visiting [[Tintern Abbey]], and also the [[limestone]] quarries, paper mills and metal works in the Wye valley. Although constructed by the Wye Valley Railway Company, the line was operated from the outset by the [[Great Western Railway]]. It was not financially successful, and in 1905 the Wye Valley Railway Company was bought by the GWR |
The line was intended to serve both tourist traffic, such as those visiting [[Tintern Abbey]], and also the [[limestone]] quarries, paper mills and metal works in the Wye valley. Although constructed by the Wye Valley Railway Company, the line was operated from the outset by the [[Great Western Railway]]. It was not financially successful, and in 1905 the Wye Valley Railway Company was bought by the GWR. The GWR added several halts along the line, at Netherhope (1932), [[Brockweir]] (1929), [[Llandogo]] (1927), [[Whitebrook]] (1927), [[Penallt]] (1931), and [[Wyesham]] (1931).<ref name=handley&dingwall/><ref name=nicholson/> |
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In the inter-war period, there were about 5 trains in each direction each day, and popular excursion trains were also run to Tintern, particularly to see the [[harvest moon]] through the [[Tintern Abbey|abbey]] windows. Redbrook station became nationally noted for its floral displays.<ref name=handley&dingwall/> However, after a long decline in revenue associated with the growth of motor traffic, the line closed to passengers in 1959, four years before the national [[Beeching Axe|Beeching cuts]]. It closed to general goods traffic |
In the inter-war period, there were about 5 trains in each direction each day, and popular excursion trains were also run to Tintern, particularly to see the [[harvest moon]] through the [[Tintern Abbey|abbey]] windows. Redbrook station became nationally noted for its floral displays.<ref name=handley&dingwall/> However, after a long decline in revenue associated with the growth of motor traffic, the line closed to passengers in 1959, four years before the national [[Beeching Axe|Beeching cuts]]. It closed to general goods traffic in 1964. |
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==Branches== |
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A short line was also built across the [[River Wye|river]] to the [[wire|wireworks]] at Tintern, although by the time it was completed the works had gone out of business, the short branch became known as the Wireworks Branch. It struggled on till 1935 when the rails buckled in the heat of summer,<ref name=handley&dingwall/> the tracks were then lifted in 1941. |
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A branch line also ran to [[Coleford, Gloucestershire|Coleford]] between 1883 and 1917. It joined the Wye Valley Line at Wyesham Junction, both railways ran along the same line for a short stretch until they both arrived at their terminus, Monmouth Troy. The Coleford Line closed on New Year's Day 1917. The line was ripped up between Wyesham Junction and Whitecliff Quarry soon afterwards, however the short stretch between Whitecliff Quarry and Coleford remained open until 1976. |
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==Today's Remnants== |
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Many things remain of the WVR, the rails between Wye Valley Junction and the north portal of Tidenham tunnel are largely intact,<ref>http://homepage.ntlworld.com/nigel.nicholson/gn/page%2032.htm</ref> but the rails have been lifted for the remainder of track. Several bridges are still standing and the impressive viaduct at Monmouth which carries the railway over the river is still in place though the central metal section has been removed. |
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Monmouth Station was removed from Monmouth and re-built brick by brick along the restored Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway and is now known as Winchcombe Station.<ref>http://www.gwsr.com/index.html</ref> |
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==Current and proposed uses== |
==Current and proposed uses== |
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[[Image:Tintern Station.jpg|thumb|The picnic site and former signal box at [[Tintern]] Station in 2008]]Old Tintern Station is now a popular picnic site and base for short walks, and has a permanent exhibition of the history of the line. The [[Wye Valley Walk]] passes through the site and paved footways extend to nearby Tintern and Brockweir.<ref>[http://www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/Monmouth/English/Environment_and_Planning/Countryside/Explore_the_Countryside/Sites/Old_Station_Access_Facilities.htm Old Tintern Station]</ref> Several former railway bridges across the river are also open to pedestrians, including the wireworks bridge at Tintern, and another linking Redbrook and Penallt. Almost the whole length of the old line is within the Wye Valley [[Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty]].<ref>[http://www.wyevalleyaonb.org.uk/pages/index.asp Wye Valley AONB]</ref> |
[[Image:Tintern Station.jpg|thumb|The picnic site and former signal box at [[Tintern]] Station in 2008]]Old Tintern Station is now a popular picnic site and base for short walks, and has a permanent exhibition of the history of the line. The [[Wye Valley Walk]] passes through the site and paved footways extend to nearby Tintern and Brockweir.<ref>[http://www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/Monmouth/English/Environment_and_Planning/Countryside/Explore_the_Countryside/Sites/Old_Station_Access_Facilities.htm Old Tintern Station]</ref> Several former railway bridges across the river are also open to pedestrians, including the wireworks bridge at Tintern, and another linking Redbrook and Penallt. Almost the whole length of the old line is within the Wye Valley [[Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty]].<ref>[http://www.wyevalleyaonb.org.uk/pages/index.asp Wye Valley AONB]</ref> |
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[[Sustrans]], which owns the track bed between Chepstow and Tintern, has announced plans to turn the route into a cycleway, reopening the tunnels at Tidenham and Tintern. A group also exists to promote the reopening of the rail line.< |
[[Sustrans]], which owns the track bed between Chepstow and Tintern, has announced plans to turn the route into a cycleway, reopening the tunnels at Tidenham and Tintern. A group also exists to promote the reopening of the rail line.<ref name=nicholson/> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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*[http://www.bikeforall.net/news.php?articleshow=77 Sustrans proposals] |
*[http://www.bikeforall.net/news.php?articleshow=77 Sustrans proposals] |
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*[http://www.wyevalleycycling.org.uk/ Wye Valley Communities For Safe Cycling] |
*[http://www.wyevalleycycling.org.uk/ Wye Valley Communities For Safe Cycling] |
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*[http://homepage.ntlworld.com/nigel.nicholson/gn/page%2032.htm A History of the Line and Evaluation of opening the railway up as a tourtist attraction] |
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*[http://www.geocities.com/cardiffrail/Wye-Tunnels.html A website on the tunnels of the Line] |
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*[http://www.collectorcafe.com/article_archive.asp?article=600&id=2069 An article on opening up the railway] |
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*[http://www.ross-on-wye.com/index.php?page=ross_560-The_Wye_Valley_Railway A website with a number of good pictures of the railway] |
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[[Category:Rail transport in Wales]] |
[[Category:Rail transport in Wales]] |
Revision as of 17:15, 2 July 2009
The Wye Valley Railway ran for 15 miles (24 km) between Chepstow and Monmouth along the lower part of the scenic Wye Valley in Monmouthshire, Wales, and Gloucestershire, England. The line opened in 1876. It closed for passenger traffic in 1959 and for goods traffic in 1964, but part was still used for quarry traffic until 1992.
History
The line was inaugurated by an Act of Parliament in 1866, although construction was delayed until 1874 because of national economic circumstances.[1] The southern part of the line, between Chepstow and Tintern, was particularly complex in engineering terms, requiring a long tunnel of 1188 yards at Tidenham, a stretch along a steep hillside above the River Wye, and a second short tunnel and bridge at Tintern. Evangelical services were organised at Woodcroft, Tidenham, partly in an attempt to combat drunkenness among the labourers building the railway.[2] North of Tintern the line followed the valley bottom, with a bridge over the river at Penallt. Outside Monmouth, the line used an existing viaduct across the river which had been built in 1861 by engineer Joseph Firbank to carry the Coleford, Monmouth, Usk and Pontypool Railway.[1]
The Wye Valley Railway was opened on 1 November 1876, from Wye Valley Junction near Chepstow, on the main line between Gloucester and Newport, to Monmouth Troy station, where passengers could change for Pontypool and Ross-on-Wye. Trains stopped at the intervening stations of Tidenham, Tintern, Bigsweir (later renamed St. Briavels), and Redbrook. A short branch was also provided across the river to the wireworks at Tintern, although by the time it was completed the works had gone out of business. A branch line also ran to Coleford between 1883 and 1916. Its rails were sent for use on the railways of the Western Front, but were sunk in transit across the English Channel.[3][4][5]
The line was intended to serve both tourist traffic, such as those visiting Tintern Abbey, and also the limestone quarries, paper mills and metal works in the Wye valley. Although constructed by the Wye Valley Railway Company, the line was operated from the outset by the Great Western Railway. It was not financially successful, and in 1905 the Wye Valley Railway Company was bought by the GWR. The GWR added several halts along the line, at Netherhope (1932), Brockweir (1929), Llandogo (1927), Whitebrook (1927), Penallt (1931), and Wyesham (1931).[1][3]
In the inter-war period, there were about 5 trains in each direction each day, and popular excursion trains were also run to Tintern, particularly to see the harvest moon through the abbey windows. Redbrook station became nationally noted for its floral displays.[1] However, after a long decline in revenue associated with the growth of motor traffic, the line closed to passengers in 1959, four years before the national Beeching cuts. It closed to general goods traffic in 1964.
Current and proposed uses
Old Tintern Station is now a popular picnic site and base for short walks, and has a permanent exhibition of the history of the line. The Wye Valley Walk passes through the site and paved footways extend to nearby Tintern and Brockweir.[6] Several former railway bridges across the river are also open to pedestrians, including the wireworks bridge at Tintern, and another linking Redbrook and Penallt. Almost the whole length of the old line is within the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.[7]
Sustrans, which owns the track bed between Chepstow and Tintern, has announced plans to turn the route into a cycleway, reopening the tunnels at Tidenham and Tintern. A group also exists to promote the reopening of the rail line.[3]
References
- ^ a b c d B. M. Handley and R. Dingwall, The Wye Valley Railway and the Coleford Branch, 1982, ISBN 0-85361-530-6
- ^ British History Online - Tidenham
- ^ a b c History of the line by Gawain Nicholson
- ^ J. J. Davis, The Railways of Monmouth, 1959
- ^ Wye Valley AONB industrial heritage
- ^ Old Tintern Station
- ^ Wye Valley AONB
External links
- Information and photographs of the line
- Chronology
- Extract from 1905 Baedeker's guide book
- GWR promotional posters
- Maps of the line and station plans
- Photographs of the line
- Information on Old Tintern Station
- Article on the possibility of reopening the rail line
- Sustrans proposals
- Wye Valley Communities For Safe Cycling