The Railway Line to Lydbrook Viaduct

[@757trev]

Hey Ron, thanks for another excellent video. This is an area I walk a lot; in fact, only yesterday I was standing on that long flight of steps looking at the remaining abutment of Lydbrook viaduct! Some points that may be of interest: The long path leading down from the site of Lower Lydbrook station was an incline carrying a branch line down to the wire & tin plate works in the valley. The sidings at Lower Lydbrook station were laid to serve the tin plate works. Locomotives worked down the steep incline bunker first in order to keep water over the firebox. The incline was removed in 1938, as was the associated sidings, signal box and weighbridge at the station. The tunnel cut out of the rock near Upper Lydbrook station is called Coles Rock Tunnel and is 1 chain long. Upper Lydbrook station was situated behind and slightly to the north of the church that you finished your walk at. The track bed behind the church is private land and you have to do a detour around the church to pick it up again. Apart from the general sidings at the station, a separate one was laid specifically for traffic from the nearby Waterloo Pit. I hope you managed to get to the northern portal of Mierystock tunnel. The terrain up to the portal is challenging! What could almost be described as a river was running out of the tunnel last time I visited and to get the couple of hundred metres from the footpath up to the tunnel portal took about 20 minutes! I could give you loads more info about this incredible line, but just thought I'd cover some of the relevant things from your video. Thanks again, Trev.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Trev you are a star, thanks for the info. Mierystock attempt in the next film! Do you know if there are any remains on the other side of the valley and are they accessible. Ron

[@vishengro]

Many thank Trev for this supplementary and enlightening information. What a fascinating layout here!

[@andrewmerriman7133]

Morning Ron, Another really good railway video, thank you for doing it I always wondered what was left. Lydbrook viaduct was 187 yards long 123 yards of which were the three metal sections the rest being a 3 arched viaduct on the Halt side and a 2 arched viaduct on the opposite side. On the section you walked 44 yards from the bridge abutment was Tin Works Junction and Lower Lydbrook Signal Box which became the North Ground frame following the closure of the Halt on 1st April 1903. Tin Works Junction consisted of an 81 yard goods loop, a short siding a long Private siding owned by R Thomas and Company which ran to the tin works (the Private Siding was proposed for removal on 18th November 1937) and a head shunt. Tin Works Junction was then followed by Lower Lydbrook Halt which opened on the 23rd of September 1875 but due to the fact it saw very few passengers became unstaffed during the early part of January 1903 and closed on the 1st April 1903. The reason for the lack of use was due to their being no road access, the only way to it was by a very steep path from behind the Forge Hammer Inn. The short tunnel was called Coles Rock Tunnel situated 189 yards from the viaduct and was 30 yards long. The site of Upper Lydbrook Station is on the grounds on the other side of the fence shown at 23:25. Upper Lydbrook Station which consisted of 2 platforms and 3 sidings closed on the 8th of July 1929 when the Passenger Service along the line was ended. The line between Serridge Junction and Lydbrook Junction had a most unusual set of operating Rules and Regulations. Goods traffic was routed from Tuffs Junction to Drybrook Road Junction via the Mineral Loop Line and the forward to Serridge Junction which was a facing Junction allowing direct Access to Lydbrook Junction. Passenger trains had to work from Tuffs Junction on the Main Line via Serridge Junction (Which was a trailing Junction on this route) to Drybrook Road Station where the engine had to run round its train via the Passing Loop and then take its train via Serridge Junction (Which is now a Facing Junction) to get directly to Lydbrook Junction. Rules and Regulations prevented a Passenger train been propelled from the Main Line to the Branch Line at Serridge Junction. Serridge Junction could not be built with the facing Junction the opposite way round due to the height difference of the Main and Branch Line other than by building a very long incline which would have been very expensive. I am happy to report that from a video I have showing the removal of the viaduct that part of the metal work went to form a fence in the front garden of a nearby property at the time of demolition. I do not know if it still survives today but I hope so. As you rightly point out Ron it is a pity it was not saved, after the Severn Bridge it was the second largest structure on the Severn and Wye Railway.

[@michaelpilling9659]

Fascinating Andrew. Thanks so much for the information

[@andrewmerriman7133]

@@michaelpilling9659 Morning Michael, Your very welcome, I am glad you found my comment interesting, Ron does such an excellent job producing these videos I like to add some interest where I can. Take care, Regards, Andrew.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Hi Andrew, up to your usual high standard, I've read it once and will sit down quietly when I get a minute and go through it line by line. Fascinating. There is a section of the viaduct iron work forming railings to the platform at Coleford Railway Museum. Have fun. Ron

[@andrewmerriman7133]

@@ParkinsonsWalks Hi Ron, That's interesting, I wonder if the section at the museum was donated from the garden on my video, if your there in the future it might be worth asking, if you do, could you be kind enough to let me know. please. Some very good comments this week, Take Care, Andrew.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

@@andrewmerriman7133 Hi Andrew, will do, the museum is worth a visit if you are ever down that way. Only two buildings and a signal box, but crammed with interesting artifacts. I filmed it so it will appear eventually. Ron

[@iansmith6669]

Amazing coincidence as I have just this week being reading about the viaduct in Severn & Wye railway volume 3 by Ian Pope and Paul Karau, which has some superb period photographs and answers many of the questions raised.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Interesting! Thanks Ian, I dare not buy another railway book or I will be sleeping in the shed (Again). Ron

[@michaelpilling9659]

That was a lovely video Ron - thanks so much for your adventurous activities. Some fascinating relics to see on the way especially that short tunnel. Amazing to think that it was built using hand tools and ,some explosive material. What a shame that very little is left of the areas industrial past. That viaduct must have been a very impressive sight. Nothing left any more. Stay safe old friend. Regards to Pauline please. See you again next Friday

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Hi Michael, the effort was certainly rewarded on that one, you are so right it is hard to imagine the effort required to build it. Take care, regards from us both. Ron

[@rodneymasters5996]

At times it looked (and sounded) like the deep jungles of Borneo. Thanks for another fascinating adventure, boldly taking us to ‘the edge’.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Hi Rodney, it felt a little like Borneo at times. Ron

[@petersmith5574]

@@ParkinsonsWalks I never realised that there was another world atop those steps. Thanks for revealing it

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

@@petersmith5574 All well and good peter, but you need to get your walking boots on and go and take a look.. Ron

[@abandonedrailwaya2470]

Good Morning, Ron. I’ve just been browsing KZbin and came across a video on the channel of SANDRA WALDING. It’s a video of a series of colour photos showing the demolition of Lydbrook Viaduct. Well worth a look. Take care, Ron.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

I will check it out Ron, thanks for the heads up. Ron

[@michaelmiller641]

Wonderful!

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Thank you Michael. Ron

[@abandonedrailwaya2470]

A great adventure Ron, if a little arduous in places. Thoroughly enjoyable vlog. Thank you for sharing. Take care, RON.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Hi Ron, that was hard work but worth it. Hope you are doing well. Hang in there. Ron

[@simonworman7898]

Lydbrook 250yds wide and 3 miles long as local used to say when I moved to the area in 1982, I am back home in my native Wales living alongside the Cambrian and the see now. Fond memories of the Forest The Pludds PH. The Bush proably long gone Mr Parkinsoln all your walks and adventure are informative allsway interesting and given with old world charm. Well done! Simon Worman

[@abandonedrailwaya2470]

@@ParkinsonsWalks Four weeks of radiotherapy in February, then hoping for some good weather so I can get out with the camera again. I’m using the time to build up my leg strength again. The chemo really clobbers you, in ways you don’t realise.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

@@abandonedrailwaya2470 Good on you Ron. Keep it up. Ron

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

@@simonworman7898 Thanks for that Simon, hope we stirred those fond memories. Ron

[@johnsparkes8963]

Fantastic watch as always Ron. What a find that fantastic rock tunnel. Plenty of huff and puff walks with all those steps. Thank you for sharing take care and best wishes.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Thanks John, that was a hard climb. Look after yourself. Ron

[@donniblanco5239]

Slowly but surely, working my way thru your Back Catalogue of walks Ron, many of which I’ve done myself with an equally inquisitive eye - The Myriad of criss crossing Footpaths has caught me out a few times and found myself nowhere near where I thought I was 🥴 I also cycle the Old Trackbeds in the Forest from time to time, and the Feats of Engineering involved with Taming the Landscape never Ceases to Amaze me, especially when we are led to believe that it was all achieved with Shovels, Picks and Donkey Carts.👍🏻

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Hi Donni, glad you are enjoying your days out, I'm always happy down the Forest. Don't forget to say hello if you pass me down there. Ron

[@derekp2674]

Thanks Ron, that was really informative and enjoyable. It was great to see so much history uncovered by your walk.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Thanks Derek, it tired me out but was a nice walk. Take care. Ron

[@atravellersjourney]

Such a lovely place my friend, thank you for sharing this.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Glad you enjoyed it. Ron

[@JimNicholls]

That looked quite strenuous, Ron. Not a lot of railway left, but a pleasant walk anyway. Always a pity when landowners try to restrict access that has clearly been used for many years.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

I agree Jim, if you don't want people visiting, don't buy a house near something historic. (Unless you are married to her of course.). Ron

[@post1305]

Ive recently moved to the area. This is very helpful. Thanks.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Glad to be of service. Ron

[@notyhbynorthwest]

Hi Ron, that was a hike and a half! I have been in and around Lydbrook, but never associated it with the viaduct until now, despite seeing several photographs. It is amazing just what you discover on these walks, stuff I would just walk right on by without realizing it. Another goodun. Take care, Ian.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Hi Ian, if you are not careful you will find yourself peering in to random hedgerows as well. Have fun. Ron

[@jamesweekes6726]

Another great walk Ron, it must have been a very picturesque rail line. Quite a bit of stair climbing though. "On the side some sleeper fence posts"...you're taking a break from the climb, aren't you? "No, I'm just looking at the sleeper fence posts"...I do the same thing, huff, puff.."Where's your ball Sumac? Let's stop and take a look"..."um, it's right here in my mouth...let's keep climbing". "Oh, you found it then... look at that view..." Freezing here, nice to see some springtime hope Ron, thanks!

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Ha, found out, I though I could slip that by un noticed. We are 'enjoying' frosts here at the moment. Have fun. Ron

[@thehairygolfer]

That was amazing. Some really great bits of walling and that rough hewn tunnel. You know how to find things Ron. Quick question. Did you have a look for the feet of the viaduct? Any signs of foundations? Probably scavenged by the locals a long time ago. See you in the next one.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Hi Simon, I couldn't find any obvious remains of the foundations, but to be honest I was pretty knackered by the time I got back there. Keep swinging. Ron

[@thehairygolfer]

@@ParkinsonsWalks Probably reclaimed and reused by the locals. Hadrians wall is the same - slowly disappearing as tourists claim a bit to take home. I always wonder what happened to the aquaduct from Robinswood hill to Gloucester that the romans built for fresh water.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

@@thehairygolfer Simon, was the aqueduct over ground or under ground, do you know? By the way, my bit of Hadrian's wall is on the shelf. Well you have to get some before it's all gone! Ron

[@thehairygolfer]

@@ParkinsonsWalks I'm not entirely sure. They covered the hill with stone troughs to channel the rain to a reservoir. I believe reservoir road was the location! From there it must have been over ground to get the pressure up a bit. It's all downhill into the town. It's not documented.

[@westcountrywanderings]

Funnily enough, I was there back in the autumn with my aunt who lives in Ross just over the border in Herefordshire. It wasn't to make a railway video though, but to do a photographic hunt for autumnal colour - we ended up at the Speech House arboretum ('Autumnal Gold' was the result). I hadn't been previously aware of this viaduct until that visit, and we didn't explore any further than what you can see from the road, so your wonderful video has filled in the gaps. That passageway from the large house to the railway intrigued me. Pure speculation, but do you think the railway had it built for the landowner as a sop for building over their land? Maybe they provided a halt there too? Great walk and video , and, as others have said, wonderful piece de resistance in the form of that magnificent tunnel at the end. Like you said in the video it would have made an excellent cycle track - bit like the Granite Way near Okehampton over the Meldon Viaduct - feels like you are flying over Dartmoor when you cycle over it (I did it last year). Thanks for sharing this Ron 👍Take care, Paul.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Hi Paul, nice to hear from you. I enjoyed that walk, well - after the climb. I think you agree right about the land owners, they could barter when the railways needed their land. Would have loved to pass over the viaduct, wonderful. Have fun. Ron

[@leeclift4666]

Cheers Ron enjoyed today's bimble. I am sure there was a level crossing by the church.Would like a piece of broad gauge track. Its great to see it still there after many years.Look forward to mireystock tunnel.Take care Ron cheers Lee

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Glad you enjoyed it Lee You are right a piece of broad gauge would make a nice feature. Ron

[@andrewmerriman7133]

Hi Lee, You are correct there was a level crossing at the end of the platforms controlled by Upper Lydbrook Signal Box. The road ran down the hillside crossed the railway and ran in front of the church. Regards, Andrew.

[@davidbennett6079]

Your bird sounded more like someone strangling their dog to me Ron, or maybe they were trying to drag the poor fella up those flight of steps. If ever there is a time for a swell of the old tea infused whiskey, it's before tackling that lot.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Tea infused whiskey, now why didn't I think of that! Ron

[@malcolmrichardson3881]

A delightful piece of exploration, and a wonderful panoramic trail had the magnificent viaduct not been demolished. Thank you.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Glad you enjoyed it Malcolm. Ron

[@vishengro]

Ron….yet another corker! How do you do it? I got so caught up in responding to your contributors’ comments that I almost forgot to leave a comment for the maestro himself! I don’t know what it was about this one that struck me the way it did over and above your customary high bench mark. Suffice to say I was intrigued by the ‘layout’ of the railway with its stone underpasses and massive retaining walls and abutments which, in conjunction with Andrew and Trev’s supplementary information, enables me to imagine what might have been. Of course let’s not forget that majestic Sylvan backdrop! Although clearly a labour of love I felt it was a stiff task for anyone to have attempted. Richard

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Hi Richard, thank you for those very kind words. Andrew and Trevor will be delighted too. I did enjoy the walk (well most of it), perhaps it came across. Next week we go looking for the other bit! Take care of yourself. Ron

[@lionelmarytravels6003]

Good morning Ron. What a pleasure to see bluebells and hear the bird song in the middle of a rather cold January. Plenty of your usual detective work going on there. Such a steep climb up those steps to the track bed. I reckon I would have needed a few stops to get my breath back climbing them. The track bed appeared to be well used and reasonably easy walking. It was amazing just how many footpaths crossed the old line. And that tunnel... what advantage was that over a cutting? How far did you walk? Looked like a good distance. The terrain looks very steep around that area. Mary says she has been through that part of the world, but not in the last 25 years. Really interesting video. Thanks Ron

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Hi Both, yes that was a long climb, but worth it. I share your view on the tunnel, surely a cutting would have been easier. That was one of my longer walks, 4-5 miles which is a lot for me these days. Take care of yourselves. Ron

[@nigelsutton8957]

I don't know if you are familiar with Pope, How and Karaus' excellent Severn and Wye Railway books, but Volume 3 (Wild Swan publishing) would put this walk into context.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Hi Nigel. I love books and it shows, if I buy any more I will have to look for somewhere else to live. Stay well. Ron

[@sumacmacarthur3380]

Hi Ron. It's pretty chilly here, I enjoyed virtually being in more moderate surroundings for a walk. People here use far too much salt on the pavement and it's hard on the paws. I would have liked to see where that gated entrance in the wall on the left went, I reckon I might have been able to squish through if I'd been there. Thanks for getting me out and enjoy your week. Your friend, Sumac.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Hi Sumac, nice to hear from you, we are having a series of hard frosts at the moment, so I share your pain. I'm often tempted to squish into places I'm not supposed to go, in fact in the next film ..... enjoy your walks. Ron

[@mikeursell3038]

Hi Ron, According to the OS this path is designate "Traffic free cycle route", like to watch some mountain biker scale those steps!! Mike

[@mikeursell3038]

Sorry Ron misread the map, the cycle path goes the other way! Opps

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Would have been OK coming down Mike. Ron

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

It's not just me with maps then Mike. Take care. Ron

[@BernieHollandMusic]

Another fascinating ramble Ron ! Is it possible to get in touch with you independently of your you tube channel - as I have something that may interest you !

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Hi Bernie thanks for the comment. II'm afraid I keep my details off You Tube. Ron