Why You Should Visit The Forest of Dean's Abandoned Railways (EDS21)

Welcome to #EveryDisusedStation Number 21. In this series Rebecca and Paul travel around the UK attempting to located and explore Every Abandoned Station. The list is currently at 6800 stations!
In this episode we travel along the Bullo Pill to Cinderford Railway in the Forest of Dean.
Links as follows:
www.paulwhitewick.co.uk
/ everydisusedstation
www.railmaponli...
Credits
Maps: google.co.uk
Maps: railmaponline.co.uk
Music: Artlist,io
Michael FX.
Pictures: Bullo Pill - Spudy1216
wikimapia.org/#...
Drybrook
By Graham Horn, CC BY-SA 2.0, commons.wikime...

[@thehermit407]

Impressive perseverance. Please ensure that Rebecca's revenge for that wet hug at the end is recorded and uploaded.

[@pwhitewick]

😂😂🚿☔🤗

[@billyruss]

The Forest really was my stomping ground back in the late 70s (I hail from Gloucester originally), in search of the many tunnels hidden within (most of which were still not yet bricked up by the time I visited them). Fantastic nostalgia trip to see these locations again. When I first visited Haie Hill and Bullo tunnels, they were bricked up (without a doorway) to a height of about 12', so I didn't even consider trying to get inside. On a subsequent visit with a much hardier Yorkshire pal of mine, he scoffed at my southern weediness and promptly got hold of a nearby abandoned telegraph pole which we both manhandled to provide a means of entry and exit. We didn't consider the nearby Blue Rock tunnel worth the effort, though :-) Thumbs up for the dogged determination in the face of such adverse weather - another great video. I, for one, love the choice of music, too!

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Bill. Yes Haie and Bradley Hill where much the same, though we did get inside Blue Rock... Spoliers!

[@trainfest7537]

Hi Guys, great video, as always. Impressive perseverance in the rain. My Father's Cousin drove a shunter at Bullo Pill, so it was great to see the line featured. Looking forward to the next video. Thanks, Ken

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Ken, next video is the tunnels from the line, so hopefully another good one for you.

[@willsgetoff1157]

You two are martyrs to the cause, thanks for going out and filming it all that rain.

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Wills 👍👍☔☔

[@colinburton113]

Hi Paul and Rebecca, thank you for an interesting video The Forest of Dean has so much history of tramroads and railways a wonderful place to visit. Looking forward to the next video, thank you all for your time and dedication. xx

[@marklake4275]

Brilliant video despite the weather. The FoD is my current home and when you were investigating the small cutting behind Hales builders where Nailbridge halt used to be you were barely 150m from my house further up the hill through the trees. There are a number of books on the Forest of Dean branch and Severn & Wye railways by Pope and Karau which I've bought which have quite a lot of photos and history of the tram roads and subsequent railway as well as the mines which was the original driver to establish these routes through the Forest. The Hawthorns tunnel which is the 2nd and longer tunnel beyond Drybrook halt was used as an ammunition store by the Admiralty during WWII. You can access this via the far end as the door had been left open.

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Mark, keep an eye out for next weeks video which is the tunnels from this line!

[@bobingram6912]

You two don't half suffer for your art - and our enjoyment!!!! (When we were there it was about 80°F.😎😥!!!) As usual you've sniffed out some great finds, looking forward to Pt.2

[@HenrysAdventures]

Another great video! There's definitely something intriguing about the Forest of Dean¬!

[@stephengiles2873]

Doesn't matter what the weather is like if you enjoy what you are doing and it looks like you are. Another interesting trip

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Stephen. Most definitely enjoyed, as we always do in the Forest of Dean.

[@davidcutts2650]

Great video. Loved the rain. I could almost smell the wet vegetation although you may not agree! I should tell you we have only had 1 shower of rain in some 6 months now. ⛈👍👍😎

[@pwhitewick]

You loved the rain!....

[@Leonard_Smith]

Entertaining, artistic and informative. No more needs to be said. I look forward to the remainder of the series. Should cover the next decade or so...

[@pwhitewick]

We've calculated a further 18 years at current rate.

[@Leonard_Smith]

@@pwhitewick So you need to pull your fingers out then...no more looking for damp patches, or dry patches, just old railway stations... (I avoided making any reference to innuendos in the first reply, but just couldn't resist in this one.)

[@craiglogistics2092]

Your dedication has my admiration, come wind rain or anything else, your aim to do every disused station will go down to the wire, a BIG thank-you from all your followers - now get on and do some more, lol

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Craig, very much appreciated. Yup this was one hell of a wet one.

[@hullhistorynerd]

Those sleepers were a lovely find, and I love the platform for the halt with a bench on it, that was really nice. I feel for you about the rain. I was filming yesterday and ended up talking to a gopro under a brolly for most of it! Well done for sticking it out though, that's dedication for you!

[@pwhitewick]

Thank you. Yeah we loved the sleepers too.

[@careycoupland9515]

Really interesting , thank you so much for sharing you walks with us

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Carey. Always a pleasure!

[@jambarreturns9060]

Brilliant Video, as usual. Keep up the Fantastic work the pair of you.

[@pwhitewick]

Thank you James.

[@greatbritishentertainmentl5636]

What can you say - just "train-soggy" - but despite the appalling Forest of Dean weather, well done for producing an entertaining video as usual!

[@pwhitewick]

Very Train Soggy. Thank you.

[@mal_752]

Another fabulous vlog. Thanks. Great viewing as always 🙏

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Malcolm, much appreciated.

[@johnhallam2027]

Still enjoy the video even in the rain.I must say it was nice to Watch in the warm and dry

[@cliffordwoolston1997]

I think Rebecca is wonderful, how she allows Paul to drag her to all these locations. If you want an easier life Rebecca, then I'm 75 only go out every 7 -10 days to the supermarket. Would only ask you to do a bit of cooking, and housework, and the rest of the day is your own. What do you think? What do you mean boring? Oh! Well back to making the videos then.

[@pwhitewick]

She is tempted!

[@shaunwest3612]

Great video Paul and Rebecca,looked like you had a lot of fun weather aside, typical when you plan something lol, what a great walk,love the disused station episodes, keep up the great work, looking forward to your next video 👌👍😀

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Shaun. Although there wasn't a great many stations to see as such, there was still plenty of infrastructure and earthworks.

[@ldnwholesale8552]

It's England, it rains. I was there May June 17 and had lovely days followed by pouring rain. 28 days and it rained probably 20! Though heavy rain in the morning and beach weather in the afternoon

[@pwhitewick]

We do have very changeable weather, especially this time of year.

[@harleancarpenter8043]

Admire your dedication in that ghastly weather, another very interesting, if wet video. On an entirely different closed line, Kirkheaton station, closed 1930, was located on Shop Lane, and guess where the patient vehicle for the hospital went along today to pick up other patient. No, I was unable to trace where the station might have been, lol

[@pwhitewick]

Ghastly just about somes it up!.

[@annepegum3351]

Congrats to you both for persisting - despite the fact that it was clearly persisting down out there !!

[@pwhitewick]

Cheers Stephen. Persisting is just about the right word.

[@lindamccaughey8800]

I don’t think the water will kill you. In Australia we would really love it. Thanks for taking me along. Loved it

[@pwhitewick]

This is very true! And we dried out pretty quick!

[@andrewholloway231]

Really appreciate all that you do. Dedicated to the cause and top job too. 👍

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Andrew.

[@DanLoudShirts]

There is nothing such as bad weather, only bad equipment! Nice video though. I'm thinking some wet weather EDS branded gear. Wet suits perhaps? Flippers and snorkel?

[@pwhitewick]

ALL of the above please Dan. Make it so.

[@thehermit407]

@@pwhitewick Such gear will come in handy when you visit Plashetts ;-)

[@pwhitewick]

@@thehermit407lol..... I have the coal at hand!

[@robinjones6999]

welcome back guys - top work and dedication -Thanks!!

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Robin.

[@michaelpilling9659]

Well done guys. Medals all round for wet weather filming. Very interesting video. Shame about the vandalism.

[@stephenablett1821]

Great video, thanks guys and gal.

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Stephen, the guy and gal are very appreciative.

[@davidhaereorajerry9369]

I love your channel my friends keep up the fascinating abandoned railways love it it has historical significance for future generations.

[@pwhitewick]

Thank you David.

[@davidjohn64]

Fantastic enjoyed . ,please keep up the good work ..

[@ianlainchbury]

You looked not only soakes Paul...but shattered too lol. Thanks both for the entertaining videos

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Ian. Glad you enjoyed.b

[@davekirwin]

Current mood: manic laughter. 😁

[@pwhitewick]

😊🚿☔🚂😅

[@danielbarrows7144]

Thanks for that made me chuckle 😁

[@davie941]

hey paul and rebecca , great interesting video again , i would like to say a big thank you for getting out there in our rubbish weather to bring us great videoes to watch , you deserve more subs , almost 10 k i see , :)

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Davie. Yup the Roman Road video did well in the states and brought around 1k subs with it!

[@davie941]

@@pwhitewick oh cool im so happy for you :)

[@Karlinski73]

Lovely stuff! Proper adventures!

[@pwhitewick]

Cheers Karl, never quite feels like it at the time when the rain is coming down!

[@Karlinski73]

@@pwhitewick We - the viewing public - have got the easy part though, haven't we? Sat here, under shelter with our cups of tea, watching the fruits of your labour....

[@thomasolsson8816]

Interesting as always. Keep on the good work.

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Thomas

[@steveg4iwr]

Looks like one of my bike rides recently. Great British weather lol.

[@Sim0nTrains]

That rain reminded me of the downpour I was in on the 16th August when I was in Cornwall Funny enough that was raining ok in the morning and in the afternoon got worse but another great video

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Simon. Yup I think we were in Devon that week.

[@owenrichardson1419]

Could be classed as a stone Buttress propping up the rock? Good to have a Matt on-board local knowledge is always marvellous. Well done keep the gear dry and functioning. Good quality with prevailing light., good quality content and good quality presentation.

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Owen. Much appreciated.

[@who9387]

Great video guys, keep 'em coming

[@McMieke]

Another great video guys. Inspires me to do something similar for the disused Roxburgh Line here in New Zealand. Thank you.

[@pwhitewick]

Most definitely. That would be very interesting to see.

[@simonrichardson5077]

Well done,thanks

[@pwhitewick]

Cheers Simon.

[@peebee143]

Love the FDR, some years since I visited. They had not opened through to Parkend when I was last there, we walked the old track bed from the furthest point they had laid track to (Cannot remember the name of the signal box) up to Parkend.

[@pwhitewick]

Yeah we did Parked and beyond in a previous video.

[@peebee143]

@@pwhitewick I think I've watched that one.

[@MrVxrman]

Great video guys 🙂🍻🥂👍🏻

[@pwhitewick]

Cheers Boss.

[@leeclift4666]

Brilliant back in the shire

[@pwhitewick]

Cheers Lee. We may have said. We love it here.

[@mistywolf312]

For drippage prevention, waterproof trousers over the top of wellies, not tucked in, raincoats only are for City streets and don't wear jeans, they take ages to dry out and wet clothes leach heat from you, you've got hundreds of wet weather days to go, walking trousers would be a sane investment.

[@pwhitewick]

Most definitely agree. 👍☔

[@SMILEVIDEOTRAINS]

super video.. my golly you two are suckers for punishment.. love you both and wish i could join you. thank you again for the entertainment

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Keith, yup this was slightly wetter than anticipated

[@2H80vids]

The joys of the British weather guys; well done for persisting though. You're getting wet, so we don't have to - or something like that. I found this little piece, which may be of interest to you, or your viewers: glostransporthistory.visit-gloucestershire.co.uk/BerryWiggins.htm I always find it interesting how the railways tied places together; in this case Forest of Dean, Hoo Junction and Manchester. Three otherwise unrelated places; one GWR, one LMS and one SR, all brought together by a bitumen tanker. Looks like 10K subs will be long before Christmas - great job !! Cheers for now, Dougie. P.S. Maybe a sign of your successful status, if you're getting offers of "product reviews", even Chinese sleeping bags.😉

[@samueltaunton7566]

Looking forward to seeing the Haie Hill tunnel!

[@pwhitewick]

Stayed tuned!

[@samueltaunton7566]

@@pwhitewick I may have walked quite a distance through it...

[@johnstilljohn3181]

Nice one - I love the Forest of Dean, but don't get there often enough...

[@pwhitewick]

Likewise!

[@bullettube9863]

Wet! Very wet! Very, very wet! Is that weather typical for the Dean Forest? Looking at all those bracken and fern covered cuts makes me think that being wet is a way of life there. What did they quarry there? Building stone, slate? There must have been profit involved if the owners paid for all that work to be done, especially those steep cuts and track work. I have to hand it to you, I would have stayed home warm and dry rather then venture outside on such a wet day!

[@saltleywsc]

Can you not mention rain Rebecca looks terrified ! great video tho and superb soundtrack ! think emergency boat would be more use in that weather !

[@pwhitewick]

Yes, small dingy would have have definitely been more appropriate!

[@peterbradburn9115]

Well done

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Peter.

[@lindamccaughey8800]

Hope you weren’t offended by what I said was only joking. Quite often here we will run outside when we get heavy rain to cool off. I really really enjoyed video

[@pwhitewick]

Of course not. I can completely understand what you mean.

[@MrLargePig]

All right, then, warm shower and a cuppa. Don't catch cold on our account!

[@colinbarrett5120]

Amazing video.

[@ianjackson7876]

good video and very wet cheers

[@cobwebsandcathair5874]

Whimsey Halt sounds like a Midsomer village and I want to live there and solve railway-related murders.

[@pwhitewick]

It does, doesnt it. Sadly it was just an industrial estate!

[@brumsgrub8633]

Well it is exciting

[@t.vanoosterhout233]

I appreciate your dedication and sense of duty. Nice masonry, amazing how little trace is left of such extensive infrastructure after demolition. Maybe even all those highways will prove not to be the permanent blots on the landscape that they are now. You might wish to add a water pants to your outfit...

[@pwhitewick]

Thank you good Sir. Water pants... Affirmative.

[@Roblilley999]

Surely water pants is the problem

[@t.vanoosterhout233]

@@Roblilley999 Perhaps you mean 'watery pants', a distant relative of 'watery fowls'?

[@christopherrosindale3175]

With this line having at least 3 tunnels - 1 of them very long - between the main line junction near Bullo and Cinderford, is another tunnel video in the offing, as they are always good?

[@pwhitewick]

Ooooooooh yes! Next week.

[@cdl0]

It is still raining now. When the forecast says 90% rain, it means there is a 90% chance that you experienced rain in the past hour, _not_ the next hour. More relentless rain is forecast for the UK until the end of the week, owing to a kink in the jetsteam, and this will be followed next week by bands of heavy rain moving in from the Atlantic, so there is a 100% chance you will get wet.

[@pwhitewick]

Ah well that is disappointing! So you are saying that the 1pm - 2pm slot is actually the prior hour?

[@cdl0]

@@pwhitewick Yes, if the forecast at 13:00 is 90% chance of rain, it means there is 90% chance you get wet in the hour 12:00-13:00. Source: UK Met Office website. Anyway, I will enjoy you videos whatever the weather!

[@folksinger2100]

Suspect the paving will be headed for a kitchen floor or barn conversion floor!!!!

[@pwhitewick]

Yup! Quite a bizarre thing to nick though!

[@folksinger2100]

@@pwhitewick Was on the Settle - Carlisle this week, noticed at Garsdale Head the Hawes Branch curving away north of Garsdale Station. Its about a 6 mile walk to Hawes from Garsdale station. The Garsdale to Hawes road runs along side. Worth an explore from Garsdale - Hawes - Redmire any chance of a video???

[@pwhitewick]

@@folksinger2100 lots planned for the spring in that direction. Watch this space.

[@dunc1958]

It seems many of the stations and possibly the line shut down a mere 6 days before I was born (61 years ago) and to be honest it appears to be in better condition.

[@Mark-ms5pn]

Try the fallowfield loop line in Manchester

[@pwhitewick]

Cheers Mark. Lots to see there?

[@bobly]

Whimsey Halt Station opened on 3rd August 1907 and closed 7th July 1930 Paul I looked on Wikipedia

[@fivestarsupplies]

I bumped into matt today in the forest of Dean.

[@michaeljohnson4636]

Nice one again, 5 stations a day for the next 4 years you will have them all cracked😨🤔

[@pwhitewick]

Haha..... yes, we did do some maths on this recently and calculated that I would be around 59 years old at current pace!

[@darenhaines8830]

I don't live very far from Ruspidge Halt. If I'd known you were driving through town I could've have given you a wave.

[@pwhitewick]

Always up for a wave!

[@ramblingrob4693]

That middle Guy looks like the Farmer from Shaun The Sheep. LOL (For Real!)

[@alancraig3610]

You bring nerdiness to a completely different level, you do realise that visiting every disused station is likely to take up the rest of your natural life, think what you could do with just a fraction of that time doing stuff for charity for example,

[@pwhitewick]

Forgive us for having a hobby, getting outside and encouraging others to do the same. Might I respectfully suggest that you know nothing about our life outside of KZbin and have no idea what we do for charity or what monies we donate to charity. Think of the time you spend on KZbin, think what you could do with just a fraction of that time doing stuff for charity for example.

[@alancraig3610]

@@pwhitewick point taken but still nerdy and likely to take you 20 plus years at the current rate!

[@pwhitewick]

@@alancraig3610 agreed on both counts.

[@RichardFelstead1949]

Whitewick & Whitewick , the new Livingstone & Stanley.(African explorers)

[@pwhitewick]

I'll take that!

[@Randyvanbag]

The amount of times I've walked up the Blue rock line, and I've never noticed the round wall 'propping up' the rock! I'll have to take a look at that tomorrow. Did you like the wood carving of the old guy taking a rest? He scares the s**t out of my wife every time we see him! 😂😂

[@pwhitewick]

Love that carving of the Hod boy, gives us a stark reminder of our times used to be!

[@Randyvanbag]

@@pwhitewick I remember learning about all that at school. The working conditions and hardships they had to endure back them... We have it pretty easy these days! Any plans to come back to Soudley and check out more of the old railway lines?

[@carolinegray3150]

Nice 🚂video

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Caroline.

[@jimmydotcom6078]

Am sure if you wish Rebecca to continue accompanying you, you'd be best not to do name calling like calling her an old culvert...! Great vid as ever guys

[@pwhitewick]

Haha .... You've not seen behind the scenes comments in that case. Lol

[@jimmydotcom6078]

@@pwhitewick everyone likes a bit of Dennis Nordenesque outcuts ... sounds like you have some content for additional vids!

[@BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne]

As soon as you approach Wales, it rains lol....

[@pwhitewick]

It certainly feels that way!

[@EuropeanTrainDriver]

Nice

[@pwhitewick]

Thank you.

[@bobly]

Nailbridge and Drybrook same

[@memofromessex]

Get some waterproof trousers! 🙃

[@pwhitewick]

Oooooh yes!

[@Sarge084]

You may have misunderstood, it wasn't a 90% chance of rain, it was a chance of 90% rain!

[@pwhitewick]

I'm not so sure. I always thought our way around was right: www.thoughtco.com/chance-of-rain-3444366

[@bikemadness8255]

I'm from forest of Dean

[@britishreaction54]

#EveryPremierInnAndTravelLodge You have great camera gear. Now you need to invest in decent walking gear. Proper boots,jackets and waterproof trousers.

[@pwhitewick]

Absolutely right! It is indeed time to invest.

[@britishreaction54]

I'm going to send you an email when I get a chance. It is to be about rail in Moray where I live, on the Moray Firth coast. Near me are the remains of the Inverness to Perth Junction Railway. 26 miles from Forres to Granton on Spey through some of the most beautiful landscapes imaginable. No tunnels but an absolutely stunning viaduct at Edinkillie, where the tracks crossed the river Divie at its junction with the river Findhorn. There is a plaque on the viaduct with all the shareholders names. The local laird, a Grant, had his own personal station on his land as a stipulation for the railway crossing through. Built 1863. Closed 1963. This line also boasts the longest platform in the UK, or remains of it, where cattle where loaded onto trucks.

[@bobly]

Steam Mills Crossing same

[@lyntonprescott3412]

Poor Rebecca! Get her an umbrella of her own for Gawds sake. Shame on you. With her excellent summarising she deserves one. Lol Shame about the weather but a great video nonetheless.

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Lynton. To be fair neither Rebecca or me get an umbrella. The camera however gets on all to itself.

[@Kae6502]

Bonus: It was 10% wetter than it should have been! :D

[@gs425]

As Alfred Wainwright once said....there's no such thing as inclement weather, just unsuitable clothing. Perhaps time to invest in some rain proof trousers ...and decent coat for Becky. I also live in jeans, but once they get wet they are useless. Thanks for putting up another class video. Look forward to the funnel video next !

[@pwhitewick]

As I was editing this I was thinking just that!... Time to purchase some decent outdoor gear me thinks

[@bikemadness8255]

I was born there

[@morrislouiseeagle7161]

👏❤️😁Xx

[@pwhitewick]

🛤️🛤️🚂🚂

[@StephenWilliams]

Full marks for commitment. Soggy jeans are horrible!

[@pwhitewick]

Yup, time to invest in something a tad more sturdy.

[@capncol]

You need to invest in some waterproofs

[@pwhitewick]

You are not wrong.

[@SimonBaddeley]

Great footage except for the ruddy muzak that displaces the real soundscape.

[@ROONEYSNUMBER1]

Surely there are hundreds of better things to do than that in the Royal Forest of Dean. Come on man

[@mikego18753]

No problems with wildfires then.

[@pwhitewick]

Nooooo problems at all!

[@bikemadness8255]

And I know where more Abandoned places around there

[@pwhitewick]

Watch out for this week's video!

[@trainshistory7562]

I thought videos were meant to be on a Friday.... 🤔

[@pwhitewick]

Haha.... We decided to move be to mid week a couple of weeks back. 😊👍

[@trainshistory7562]

@@pwhitewick If it helps gets more exposure, that's great. 👍

[@pwhitewick]

Cheers. We think it's helping..... Maybe.

[@hanskniezand2049]

Haven't seen the video yet just wanted to be the first to comment. Sad or what.

[@pwhitewick]

Oh no. You only got Silver I'm afraid.

[@hanskniezand2049]

@@pwhitewick Darn, if hadn't been for those pesky kids.......

[@owenrichardson1419]

@@hanskniezand2049 Ha ha it was me ;0)

[@hanskniezand2049]

@@owenrichardson1419 Damn you sir, and your swift off the markedness.

[@owenrichardson1419]

@@hanskniezand2049 indeed, it comes from sitting onto on my pc at work..

[@haywoodyoudome]

Matt's quite the mouth breather isn't he?

[@neelix139]

Well Paul well Rebecca if you were doing Railway archaeology in a wet miserable day Paul I hope you took your wife out for a nice lunch or a nice dinner after you got back to your hotel yours Jeff Rosebud Melbourne Victoria Australia