In search of The Wye Valley Railway

#EveryDisusedStation #DisusedRailway
Welcome to another 'EveryDisusedStation'. This week we explore what remains of the lost railway Stations along the Wye Valley Railway. Starting at Monmouth we worked our way south towards Tidenham. The hidden railway architecture, the tunnels and the platforms where on today's list!
If you are enjoying what we do, feel free to leave us a comment, subscribe and give us a thumbs up. We would be forever grateful. If you really like what we do why not consider becoming a Patreon. / everydisusedstation
The usual Disclaimer:
1) As you'll note, by the time in the welsh trip, my voice was on its last legs.
2) We were shattered and remembered the names of about 12% of the stations visited. Sorry.
Links:
Our Progress: www.paulwhitewick.co.uk/Everyd...
Our Maps: (Always a tad behind):
www.paulwhitewick.co.uk/Everyd...
Attributes:
All Music: Epidemicsound.com
www.geograph.org.uk/profile/2... - Richard Green
Redbrook photo
Penallt - C/O BBC
Whitebrook Halt (August 1958 - Gerald Daniels)
www.geograph.org.uk/profile/7580
Bill Blair 1980

[@jonfox8010]

My father was born in Redbrook on the line, and when he was a bit of a tearaway, some of his friends and he used to go up and down the line on a gangers trolley just for the hell of it. This was on a Sunday when trains didn't run. The station in Redbrook was taken over as a petrol station where I used to buy sweets in the early 60's. The shunting yard was the village football ground which I believe is now a car park.

[@christopherrosindale3175]

Monmouth Troy station building still survives in use - as Winchcombe station on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway. They dismantled it stone-by-stone and rebuilt it at Winchcombe to replace the demolished original station there.

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Christopher. Now you mention it I think I recall someone saying that to us a little while back. Very pleased that it survives. 👍

[@alanbeard8020]

Çhristopher Rosindale is

[@mervynsands3501]

The Wye Valley Line, was so picturesque with magnificent views and scenery, now long gone, what a loss to close it. One of my top favourites. Great video, thanks for sharing.👍

[@sheilastallard]

Respect to you two for the respect you show to the line and area's you look at. xx

[@pwhitewick]

Thank you Sheila. x

[@vishengro]

👍

[@BegudMaximan-zp2tc]

The best scenic railway not to be preserved in the UK arguably. Even all the way through to Usk and Pontypool Road would have been ideal had it been secured in time. So dream on and look what could have been!

[@davidrichie9570]

You two go to the most beautiful places! Bravo to you.

[@pwhitewick]

Cheers David. We get around!

[@NickLewis]

Just been watching a whole load of your videos and this one really caught my attention. I used to go to Tintern a lot as a child because my great grandfather was the station master there. My grandmother took us there a lot and by that time it had become established as a heritage centre. My wife and I last went there a few years back when it was open and busy. The cafe did great food. Seems like a world away now!

[@pwhitewick]

Cheers Nick, we really can't wait to get out and about again and explore more places like this.

[@NickLewis]

@@pwhitewick I bet and I’m now itching to explore again. Recently have been getting to know Farnborough better and the canal etc. Time to update my own channel to be honest.

[@pwhitewick]

@@NickLewis go for it

[@oddwad6290]

The ROW that is unused , but fenced off , is hopefully rail banked for future use by public . Sometimes developers or adjacent property owners will capture by adverse possession . They can be challenged if they haven't held it long enough to rightfully own it .

[@pwhitewick]

Hey Montie. It turns out the track has been donated to the local heritage line which is great news.

[@2500gamma]

Enjoy each vid more then the last, great work :)

[@PhilipGeoghegan-mx5qz]

Always enjoy your videos, have some interesting memories of The Ross to Hereford line in the 1960s.

[@EdenValleyAdventuresUK]

Thanks for this History of the railways you are filming.

[@pwhitewick]

A complete pleasure. Thank you for taking the time to comment. 👍

[@gwrdownunder2198]

I find your video's are a joy to watch, and you both have a good sense of humour, thank you.

[@pwhitewick]

Thank you. We try!

[@michaelpilling9659]

Yet another fascinating film. Thanks for your honesty about not walking on the line. Respecting other peoples property is very important. My mother was born and raised in Symonds Yat not too ar away from where you were. My uncle Percy owned the Angel Inn in Coleford. Brought back many childhood memories. Thank you so very much.

[@Roblilley999]

Another exciting walking and waffling from the mighty duo.

[@pwhitewick]

Awww thanks Mr L. 👍

[@greatbritishentertainmentl5636]

Very interesting and laid-back informative style which I really enjoyed, plus some good on-the-spot filming techniques - keep going please!

[@pwhitewick]

Thank you. Very much appreciated, we certainly are. 👍

[@Steve-gy3bx]

Great vid, thanks for sharing

[@Sarge084]

I like to think I'm pretty good at spotting disused railway lines but I never spotted that one despite having driven around those lanes numerous times. Great videos, keep up the good work.

[@terryansell6641]

Such a enjoyable video and so interesting thank you from New Zealand

[@robinhayhurst5943]

Gptta love the dedication to the cause!

[@ninjagoggles]

I loooooove all the disused/abandoned stations!! I mean, I love G&V and all their adventures, but I found them through the abandoned/disused London stations. That's truly my favorite! To the Tunnels!!

[@pwhitewick]

It's socially acceptable to enjoy both.... 😊👍 Thanks kiwi.

[@HenrysAdventures]

Another great video! I used to visit that area a lot as a child. I'll be going to Coleford & Tintern at some point for their miniature railways. I believe the layout at Tintern was usual in that there was an island platform with the trackbed between the island and the platform with the station building filled in. I looks like the island platform has been lowered though. I'm sure the carriages in Tintern have changed two, there's used to be some much older carriages not such what happend to them but I expect there current two are ex Virgin Mark 2s. Maybe in the future they'll be sold on to a heritage railway and replaced with a Pacer!

[@pwhitewick]

Cheers Henry. Yup the layout when we were there confused us somewhat. The NLS website helped clear that up thereafter!

[@roddix7230]

Very enjoyable presentation of this lovely area

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Rod.

[@terryansell6641]

Enjoyable video as always

[@pwhitewick]

Cheers Terry.

[@vishengro]

Thanks to the Whitewick team for this brilliant video. My wife and just came back from Tintern yesterday and passed all the places mentioned from Coleford back to Tintern and we noticed the lattice girder bridge at Redbrook from the road. Also I love the way Paul gets the names wrong that’s what I do too! On another note it was good to see Harry Lime get that goal after fluffy the penalty kick 😂

[@richardmessenger9474]

Another great video....was stationed there in the late 60's the place is riddled with disused railways...I seem to remember the line came out of a tunnel by tintern abbey onto a bridge across the river...the bridge was dismantled not long after I first saw it and next time I saw it.....it looked strange to see the tunnel mouth looking out onto the river with no bridge...I only wish I had had taken pictures at the time... thank you both for the memories....👍👍👍

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Richard. We made a tunnel video from the line too, so be sure to check that out when you have a moment.

[@mikeythrussell7409]

I've been watching your videos for a few weeks I enjoy them very , but I didn't understand why. But I think it's your enthusiasm for railway history. Living in South East London , no steam trains in my lifetime , we don't seem to have the same attachment to the railways. And to many hours spent commuting in over heated carriages. Keep doing what your doing.

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Mikey. Very enjoyable making them, so no plans on stopping! Cheers for watching. 👍

[@johnhunter4686]

Paul and Rebecca. Hope you get to Newbridge on Wye. I spent many Holidays there in the late nineteen forties and fifties. I recall those Tank engines at Newbridge Station. Happy Days!

[@gregruthen3844]

Not been on a while, missed you 2. Oh and your enthusiasm. Got man flu too.. Ploughing on.

[@pwhitewick]

Clearly I had covid when it was cool.

[@chriswilliams7480]

I wish this railway was still around

[@bobly]

Brockweir Halt opened in 1929 and closed in 1959, Tintern Railway Station opened in 1876 and closed in 1964, Netherhope Halt opened in 1932 and closed in 1959, Tidenham opend in 1876 and closed in 1959

[@bobly]

Monmouth Troy opened in 1857 and closed in 1959, Wyesham Halt opened in 1931 and closed in 1959, Newland opened in 1883 and closed in 1917, Coleford opened in 1883 and closed in 1917, Redbrook On Wye opened in 1876 and closed in 1964. Penalt Halt opened 1931 and closed in 1959, St Braivels opened in 1876 and closed in 1959, Llandogo Halt opened in 1927 and closed in 1959

[@Odin029]

Looking at driving parts of this video reminds me that when I visited the UK I wasn't brave enough drive. Now 20 years later I think I'm dumb enough to try it if I ever go back

[@RichardFelstead1949]

I don't know wye (I can't help myself lol) , but we all enjoy your videos.Carry On.

[@pwhitewick]

😂😂..... Oh boy. Thanks Richard. 👍

[@jamiedavies8393]

Enjoyed the video , we walked on the netherhope lane to the tunnel entrance last weekend. Just up from there is where the chepstow diving centre they use the area for there fear fest halloween events. I got scared for a min as we walked in to a mock up cemetry lol. Was a good walk will have to find where the tunnel comes out by the quarry.

[@gussmedways]

That was, for me, the best yet and worth the monumental b*****ing I've just got for not doing the hoovering. You also mentioned another thing that's got me in to trouble. Side by side maps. Highly addictive. Thanks to both of you for being utterly brilliant, entertaining, factual and fun!

[@pwhitewick]

Awww thanks Russ. And yeah, sorry about side by side maps. You'll need some kind of support group eventually! You might like the accompanying video we've just published. 👍😁

[@gussmedways]

I really have to get on with the hoovering. Maybe later when the Friday night wine starts flowing!!@@pwhitewick

[@pwhitewick]

@@gussmedways good luck!

[@damieneverett7053]

Great music choices.

[@pwhitewick]

Cheers Damo.

[@MrBook123456]

good video

[@GJDobbzy]

Brillent video and a line i know a lot about from my garandad always telling me getting the train from tintern to chepstow or monmoth to get his shopping for my grant groundmother. Shame you wasn't 2 year earlier to see St Briavels station, as the good shed was still standing just, and sadly fell down. So all you see is the remainds. Tintern station used to be 2 platfroms and a loop. when they turned it into a visitor centre the fill in the track bed between platfrom 1 and the island platfrom, making look like it was only 1, keeping the loop down to track level. They clearing the track further down as there is plans to have a cycle way to go on it from tideham to tintern. I walk along the line able 10 years ago before they did anything and you use to be able to walk down the steps, (Which still had half a sign say GWR on it) from the bridge at Netherhope halt to the track bed. Due to the halt plafrom being made of wood and been long gone. walk to tideham which had platfrom still there but nothing else. Due to it being used as a querry loading point after the station closed, But still had its loop in place. Also walk through the tunnel and pass tintern querry where a loop was and end of the line. As rest of the line to monmouth wasn't need any more. Hope this helps to solve some bits.

[@pwhitewick]

Absolutely and thanks for sharing. 👍👍

[@phillipbateman2284]

Great vlog as usual . You two crack me up, great atmosphere. Did you know, sometimes there's a little person in the background ? Thanks, and take care.

[@MegaCj74]

Your adventures are more interesting and better presented than a great deal of the dross on cable and terrestrial channels. Keep up the good work and if the Somerset Coal Canal ever reaches your to do list get in touch as explored most of the route myself.

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Mega. Already filmed it! Just need to get around to the edit.

[@jazzguitarwithandy]

Very interesting and enjoyable. I grew up nearby and remember seeing what must have been one of the last quarry trains from Tidenham. I believe the line south of Netherhope has all been or will be lifted and repurposed at the Dean Forest Railway. Little Chef was the restaurant that used to stand in place of Redbrook station. A tragedy that this didn’t become a heritage line.

[@pwhitewick]

I think that the track is about to be put to good use though and I also understand that this part of the line has got the go ahead for a cycle route.

[@jazzguitarwithandy]

Whitewick's Abandoned Railways True. It would be fun to cycle through that tunnel.

[@andyjames2225]

i walked this other day visiting my girlfriend didnt realise that both bridges near monmouth were railway until i checked the maps and your videos i will have to do the walk myself all the way down to chepstow.

[@pwhitewick]

Well worth it Andy.

[@quarkonia]

Tunnels have now opened and you can go from Tidenham to Tintern now. Tunnels are closed at night.

[@dryliner65]

Have you thought of visiting the Isle of Wight ? Lots of disused lines to explore ,also a nice one at Weymouth to Portland

[@pwhitewick]

Definitely yes. We think we will probably make a weekend of it.

[@TIMMEH19991]

Another weekend, another railway trip, so it must be raining!

[@pwhitewick]

Oh yes. BUT..... Summer is coming. Isn't it???

[@MLGarage]

Grew up in llandogo use to play on the old lines to redbrook. Now live in Forest of Dean . There is a few hidden treasures you missed

[@DJ_K666]

I wonder if the track you found was something to do with the Dean Forest Railway reopening to Coleford. Also there's a fantastic youth hostel at St Briavels Castle and the pretty village there. We'll worth a visit.

[@paulamoloney2380]

Up lines all go towards London, except on The Midland who regarded Derby as the centre of their universe! Always interesting to look at the mileposts on main lines!!!

[@pwhitewick]

Cheers Paula. We also learnt that some lines consider "up" to be their own quarters.

[@blackpoolram]

Surely everyone knew that the Railway God lived in Derby?

[@zeddessell]

Redbrook-on-Wye and Penallt Halt were two very close-together stations, though there were some stations even nearer to each other, such as Blackfriars and Ludgate Hill. I believe the record for the shortest ever distance between two stations on the same line is held by Smethwick Galton Bridge and Smethwick West on the Birmingham Snow Hill to Kidderminster Line. Smethwick Galton Bridge was supposed to have replaced Smethwick West station when it opened in 1995, but British Rail didn't go through the legal work to close Smethwick West correctly, so it had to be served by a parliamentary service before it could be properly closed in 1996. This train did not stop at Smethwick Galton Bridge, so there was never any direct service between them.

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks for the info. We think these two were around 300-400 yards. Not sure how that sits with the others you've mentioned.

[@zeddessell]

Smethwick Galton Bridge to Smethwick West was 110 yards. I don't know about Blackfriars to Ludgate Hill, but Blackfriars to Holborn Viaduct was around 700 yards, and since Ludgate Hill was in between those two (and slightly closer to Blackfriars), I'm guessing Blackfriars to Ludgate Hill was around 200-300 yards.

[@neilharbott8394]

My understanding is that Up is London, unless the line doesn't go to London - then Up is the largest town on the line (which may not be the largest town today).

[@blackpoolram]

So sad for tourism that there is no longer a line along the Wye Valley.

[@wolf0285]

Not sure if others have pointed out but the section the video ends on has now been converted to a cycle path and due to open next year, including Tidenham tunnel. Look forward to trying it..

[@davidpoulton2860]

Monmouth Troy now Winchcombe Station. Closed passenger 1959 and close to goods 1964 and to the quarries near Chepstow 1990s. My dad travel on it when he lived in Redbrooke 1925-38 and went to School in Monmouth. I've been on that line and bridge and Tintern Station 2000 and 2011. Called Redbrook because of the Tin plate works my Grandad worked their between the Wars.

[@pwhitewick]

Ah thanks David. Appreciate the additional info

[@nigelandrews62]

Just found this - bit late to the party - but towards the end of the video the work you could see on the track was the construction of the Wye Valley Greenway. It's now open and you can walk along the track bed all the way to Tintern including through the Tidenham tunnel. Well worth another visit.

[@rogerphelps9939]

Some of the ttrack has been lifted and will be used to extend the Dean Forest heritage railway.

[@Lichfeldian--Suttonian]

Just to recap, it’s the A466, not the A446. 😊 I have been to Tintern and eaten there. We walk along the line to the Wye where there was once a bridge that took you right to the tunnel.

[@stuartgray100ify]

I lived in Brockweir in the 70’s and as a child, played in Tintern station and Tintern tunnel. The tunnel was not blocked off at that time and the station was a ruin. The location of Brockweir halt is still there but very difficult to reach. There was an arch which went under he approach to Brockweir bridge but is blocked off. The halt was on the Llandogo side. The following show many of the stations and Halts: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qp7Xc6SQmrSXgZI. Great work and very interesting!

[@dabbidem]

I grew up in Tintern about 30 years later and was fascinated by the tunnel (and still am!) was the bridge leading from the station to the tunnel still there when you were a kid?

[@talbotsteve]

Nice to see a review of the station locations on the Wye Valley, Shame its just the stations as there is soooo much more to find including the Tintern tunnel, the wire works branch, Tintern Quarry ect. Also great to see a bit of deforestation going on.

[@pwhitewick]

Cheers Steve. We do have another ther video from the line which details the tunnels. Always short on time though!!

[@invertedshadow1746]

@@pwhitewick , why did you not film from the other side of the bridge at tiddenham and show the tunnel ? Have you two walked through it ? its a good one to explore and the tracks are still down all the way to the quarry👍

[@invertedshadow1746]

You forgot the tiddenham tunnel steve

[@TTM2Adventures]

Great videos really enjoying watching them. Me and my son used to explore and film old railway tunnels and stations from around monmouthshire. I see that you have travelled through Usk at the start of your video, did you stop at Usk' s old tunnel and station?

[@pwhitewick]

Thank you, not as yet, we would like to do the Usk line as a venture in its own right.

[@B-Mozzer]

Up is always to the Railways Head Office

[@pwhitewick]

Ahhhhhh thank you. I always assumed London! 👍

[@B-Mozzer]

@@pwhitewick But not all railway went to London

[@pwhitewick]

@@B-Mozzer good point.... 👍

[@kevinallen9106]

Hi Paul/Rebecca, The Tidenham/Tintern branch line you mention around 11:14 is being developed as we speak into a walking/cycle path that will run along the old track bed from Sedbury (Glos) through to Tintern (Mon). In fact we were cycling on the completed Tidenham section of this today! The whole Sedbury-Tintern route is not fully complete yet, however in April (2021) the Tidenham tunnel you discuss in one of your other videos will be unlocked - it's currently closed for bat hibernation. The tunnel ~1000yd has been renovated with a surface and lighting. In the other direction, I think the intent is that the Sedbury section will also be open in the same April 2021 timeframe - volunteers were working this weekend on a decking section to make the A48 bridge crossing safe for the public. Hope to see you back in this neck of the woods sometime in 2021!

[@kevinallen9106]

ps Speak to the NDAC about the foil...

[@garyjene9146]

Have you ever thought of publishing a little monthly newsletter with maps and the photos you have taken of the abandoned lines? At the end of each article you can provide a link to the appropriate video. Or else, compile everything about the different lines that once were and the parts you can or can not walk along and a dvd of all the videos. The monthly newsletter can be done on the cheap at home and mailed out to those that are interested and have subscribed. A couple of quid and a schilling or 2 towards postage. Along with a place to stay for tourists that are near the parts you are allowed to walk.

[@pwhitewick]

Hi Gary, we've not really considered that other than putting the details on our website (we are a tad behind). At the moment it's just about enough for us to keep up with the filming and the editing, so with that in mind our goal is to build up the subscribers for the time being. We may at some point put a book together of our travels.

[@alangates5634]

have you visited Usk train station (disused)and tunnel abervagenny rd changes to Porthycarne st in usk also iron bridge goes over the Usk river?

[@robertgreenall4902]

Paul, are you in contact with Railway Ramblers? For their walks they're often able to arrange permission to visit old lines which are not normally accessible, and they may be able to offer help or advice.

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Robert. Not yet, this is something we absolutely need to get around to! Would be great to join them on some walks.

[@chrisrodgers5787]

Great video Paul & Rebecca, thanks for the great content. One thing is I'm not keen on the music in the video, I guess you cannot please everyone 😊

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Chris. Yup indeed difficult to please all I'm afraid.

[@chrisrodgers5787]

The reason is that I find that sometimes the music overpowering your voice.

[@pwhitewick]

@@chrisrodgers5787 working on that....wait... You like my voice? 😉😅

[@chrisrodgers5787]

Well of course, you do have alot interesting facts about railways. Also you getting the names of stations wrong is funny😃👍

[@pwhitewick]

@@chrisrodgers5787 we thought we were just bad in Wales. It turns out it's everywhere.

[@a11csc]

such a pity a lot of this behind closed doors so to speak

[@Sim0nTrains]

Great video! Is it me or do you sound like Danny Dyer a little when you got man flu?

[@pwhitewick]

Hahaha..... Cheers Simon. Yup it did bring out the Cockney in me!

[@alistairshaw3206]

The bridge over the river Wye at Tintern Abbey was used in a recent Netflix series, Sex Education . I just had to let you know that bit of useless information. I walked across it a few years ago when I was doing a coach tour to the Abbey.

[@pwhitewick]

Lol.

[@hubertvancalenbergh9022]

Tintern Abbey - is that the structure seen at 09:44?

[@pwhitewick]

@@hubertvancalenbergh9022 yup, from 9:37 onwards.

[@nuneatontim]

Have I missed, or when are you doing the stations around the Coventry area.

[@pwhitewick]

Nothing missed as yet Tim. We've a massive list to get through and are always pursueded by some interesting rail stories and disused lines.

[@nuneatontim]

@@pwhitewick Thanks for your reply. We used to have a massive goods yard in the town and there are at least three abandoned stations and 2 rail lines. There are also some abandoned lines that used to run to brickworks and mines. Also, the main (still used) station has a bit of history you might personly like. It's not really in line with this series. Brilliant work, Loving the series. Thank you.

[@barrie5852]

When you encounter a public right of way that has either been fenced off or has signs saying private or no access do you let the ramblers association know? KZbinr Tom Scott recently did a video about this sort of problem

[@pwhitewick]

We try and let the local council know if we can.

[@minisareus]

Are you doing Monmouth to Symons yat , Monmouth to new Inn junction

[@pwhitewick]

Likely at some point during the summer. The issue we have is South Wales has sooooo many disused lines!

[@Bugster42]

hawkshurstbranch?mightbeworthalook

[@Leonard_Smith]

Not sure if the health issue is the reason, but the fringe looks like it needs some attention in this video. The train stuff was OK though...

[@pwhitewick]

Spoiler alert. Drastic changes afoot. 😬😉

[@Leonard_Smith]

@@pwhitewick Oh no!!!! 😬

[@thomaswykes3647]

Thieves pinched the original GWR platform benches from Tintern station a few years ago. Scumbags.

[@marysweet8858]

Another great video - quite like gravelly voice Paul, though you do sound a bit like your own evil alter-ego

[@pwhitewick]

😂😂, thanks Mary. One more video to come with "evil Paul" next week then normal service resumes. 😊

[@JalanBax]

Music at the beginning sounds very Tik Tocky

[@pwhitewick]

Lol... The kids would know what that means I guess??

[@neelix139]

Hi

[@keithwardle8504]

Hi Paul & Rebecca, just discovered your most enjoyable site (subbed!) and catching up with earlier vids. Please see link to Wye Valley Railway site with photos of Tintern Station. In last but one photo two lines pass between island platform and station then a 3rd line branches off to pass in front of signal box (under signal left of pic). www.urban75.org/photos/wales/tintern.html

[@pwhitewick]

Hey Keith, thanks for the sub, glad you are enjoying the channel. Thanks for the link, makes sense, just couldn't picture it when we were there.

[@davidpoulton2860]

The river went red because of the waste of tin from the works now housing

[@TimXJR1300SP]

Brilliant job, my favourite line and I spend a fair amount of time at Tintern station... They do great cake should you ever go back. To answer your question, there were 2 platforms, one next to the station building and the one near the signal box was an island platform.

[@coldblue9mm]

The That was the platform. The This Wasn't the platform. Clear as mud?

[@pwhitewick]

Absolutely!

[@davidpoulton2860]

Probably cleared to remove track and build a cycle path by Austrians.

[@daffie46]

Love your leggings Rebecca !

[@cargy930]

You should've sung a few Barry White songs whilst you had the voice for it!