Tintern Railway Station Search

Tintern Railway Station, now a cafe, is situated in Wales close to the English boarder, on the west bank of the river Wye, not too far from Chepstow. It served the residents of Tintern, but principally it enabled local industries, taking advantage of the many water courses in the area, driving their machinery, to get goods out and raw materials in. The line follows the course of the river Wye very closely, and if it had remained open, would have been one of the most scenic railways in the country. There is plenty of railway memorabilia to see and discover, including the original signal box, now a function room. If you should tire of railways, close by is the world famous ruins of Tintern Abbey waiting to be explored.
Home to the adventurous subscriber. As well as films we have a bi-weekly Vlog to keep up to date on the previous and next week’s videos, and a chance for all to air their views on a variety of subjects, why not join in.
My passion has been walking, a while ago I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s and walking does not come naturally any more, however the more I walk the easier it gets, for now anyway. I hope these videos will inspire others to keep going and hanging on in there. I try to cover variety of subjects, such as old abandoned railways, and canals. I love the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire, with its rich history and I usually take my camera whenever we holiday in the southwest and Cornwall. The rugged coastal paths are a magnet for anyone who loves dramatic scenery. I live close to the Cotswolds Hills and have done quite a lot of walking around there, recently, following some of the lovely rivers. Hill walking on the Malvern’s is a challenge but worth the effort. I try not to let Parkinson’s get me down and take every opportunity to get out with my camera and film, I hope you enjoy watching. P.W.

[@malcolmrichardson3881]

An enchanting area on the lower Wye, on what must have been one of the best scenic rail routes in the country. It's nice to see the old Tintern station revitalised, but a pity that the bridge over the Wye has long gone. The nearby Tidenham tunnel has recently been reopened as part of a Wye Valley Greenway trail, so I wonder if there are plans to extend the route through the Tintern tunnel, and over a new bridge - which would be wonderful. I believe the former mineral railway bridge in Tintern is also being renovated. This is obviously an alternative route over the Wye, but the aforementioned tunnel/bridge access to Tintern station, would I feel be altogether more spectacular.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

You are so right Malcolm, the tourist potential is enormous. Take care. Ron

[@notyhbynorthwest]

Hi Ron.... My firstborn son was born in July 1988, so in May 1989, I was duly dispatched over to England to show him off to the family. Drove with my father from Liverpool to visit my brother, Allan, and his wife, who were living in Aylburton, just west of Lydney at that time. We went to Tintern Abbey of course, and spent a good hour or so at the Tintern Station. Thirty plus years have passed, and my memory of the station area is very dim. I think I was still suffering from jet lag. The one thing I do remember is my son bringing tears of pain to my brother when he landed in Allan's lap feet first. Happily I have photographic evidence of this event. Thanks for stirring my memory of this delightful place with this lovely video. I have driven past it several times over the years, and really must revisit. Best wishes, Ian

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Hi Ian, if there is one thing that makes me happy, it is that I have been able to stir up memories, They need taking out and airing now and again. I'm sure Allan agrees!! Take care. Ron

[@notyhbynorthwest]

@@ParkinsonsWalks Oh yes Ron, this memory is definitely stirred up - frequently. Heh, heh, heh......

[@thehairygolfer]

Ron, why have I stopped so many times at Tintern Abbey and never seen this? Thank you so much for showing us and to the people who have preserved it.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Beats me Simon. Maybe if they had some golf supplies there! Ron

[@thehairygolfer]

@@ParkinsonsWalks Or beer......

[@iansmith6669]

Hi Ron, on the video you showed the vacuum brakes on a coach with a 'string' from a valve and you wondered what it did. It in fact released the vacuum from the system. This was necessary as the Great Western Railway used 25 in of vacuum while the other railways used 21 in. This meant that if the coach was switched from a Great Western Engine to one from another railway the brakes would drag on. To top this the 'strings were pulled'. This is quite common on preserved railways due to the mix of engines. As always enjoyed the video. Regards Ian

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Thanks Ian, I hoped someone in the know would answer that. Ron

[@pioneertechnolgy]

I like the old tinten railway and I went the when the traks where still there

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

That must have been something special. Ron

[@martinhall60]

What a beautiful part of merry england. Like I have said before, it is such a crying shame that so much of our railway heritage was systematically ripped up and thrown onto the scrap heap , not in the name of transportation development for the railways but for the transportation of road haulage and those who would benefit from it financially. It was a big loss to all of us and now we are all paying the price. It was a beautiful walk and to see the station turned into a cafe was better than leaving it to rot, it's just a shame we don't have the railway as well. But your video was delightful Ron as always and I am having a real cup of tea as I write this as apposed to the other kind i usually have on your wonderful walks. Until next time keep safe Ron and best wishes from the East Riding of Yorkshire.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

You are right again Martin, our loss. Enjoy your tea. Take care. Ron

[@theheritagechanneluk1553]

Merry Wales lol 🤣

[@westcountrywanderings]

Good morning Ron! The Wye Valley looking at its best there. I love that spot at Tintern - so much railway interest in that area. You showed it off to its best advantage. I've seen that miniature railway track before but never seen it in use when I've visited. Shame that bridge disappeared across the Wye. Look forward to your tunnel explore next time. Thank you for this video - really enjoyed it! Take care, Paul

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

It really is nice there Paul, but you need to go out of season, I think you will agree. Ron

[@westcountrywanderings]

@@ParkinsonsWalks Yes, that Tintern Station spot is lovely, but it can get very busy in spring and summer.

[@vishengro]

Hi Ron thank you for this. I commented in a previous video that I’d stayed at Tintern over a year ago now. It’s a beautiful place with stunning scenery and the Abbey ruins are still magnificent. We stayed at a B&B at the edge of the village just down the road so one fine evening I walked up to the station which was pretty much closed for the day. I didn’t hang around long as we had a table booked so I’m glad that you did the investigating for me albeit in arrears! 👍👍👍

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Glad to be of service Richard. Ron

[@philippankhurst6680]

Lovely stuff, as always. I commuted from Weobley, North of Hereford to Bristol for a year and I went down the Wye valley through all four seasons.The job was terrible, but the journey to and from work was utter bliss. Thanks for the reminder.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Thanks Philip, that made me smile. Ron

[@michaelpilling9659]

Good Morning Ron - what a wonderful video. Thank you so much for producing this epic piece of work with your usual excellent camera work and commentary. I think the station is busier now than it was when the railway was in use. I have many very happy childhood memories of The Wye Valley. A most beautiful part of England. What a shame this line was closed. I think it would now be used alot if the line remianed open simply because of tourism. The search for the tunnel sounds exciting. Looking forward to that fim very much. Stay safe old friend. Look after yourself and love to Pauline please.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Hi Michael, hope you are safe and well. Interesting point, the railway is busier now than when it was in railway use. Happy memories. Love from us both. Ron

[@tagbobtail]

Another great vlog Ron which inspired us to visit the Old Station at Tintern and walk round and back via Brockweir. And the Old Station has a VR postbox so that was a bonus!

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Brilliant, glad you enjoyed it. Ron

[@abandonedrailwaya2470]

Brilliant, RON. As always your ace detective work carried out in some stunning countryside. Thoroughly enjoyable video, well presented. Thanks for sharing, Ron

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Thanks Ron, how is your Morton film coming on? Ron

[@abandonedrailwaya2470]

@@ParkinsonsWalks I’m probably going to do it in bite sized videos, because a lot of it was just railway track with little or no infrastructure. The history of Moreton Station is very interesting though so I’ll film that first. Whilst doing my research I’ve discovered that Moreton had a very successful 3 mile steeplechase course, at the end of the Victorian and into the early Edwardian era. I’m going to do a vlog on the Earl of Dudley’s ironstone works, at Hook Norton next. Not a lot visible now, but, some interesting photographs to share. Stay safe, Ron.

[@Scots_Diesel]

I'm really looking forward to you covering the bottom end of the line, especially where it starts in Chepstow as we want to cycle it !.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

I've read about it, sounds good. Some wonderful trails in the Forest of Dean as well. Ron

[@jamesweekes6726]

Hi Ron, sorry I'm a bit tardy...I was away with the school rowing team again this weekend. Now that the ice has melted it's a bit more manageable. Your film made me particularly "homesick" this week, I reckon a recharge is in the works! Take care and thanks for taking us along.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Hi James, I was getting a little worried in case you were ill. Nice to have you back. Ron

[@JimNicholls]

Another good one, Ron. Plenty to see there - the old station seemed busier than a lot of new ones, plus a signal box, signals, and a water tower as well as terrific scenery! I'll look forward to your further exploration of that beautiful area.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Thanks Jim, it was a nice day out. Ron

[@michaelmiller641]

Very enjoyable, Ron, the Wye valley railway must have been quite a scenic route to travel on

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

It would have been fantastic as a tourist route Michael. Ron

[@andrewmerriman7133]

Morning Ron, What a most enjoyable video and how nice to see that the station has been preserved thanks to the efforts of Gwent County Council, the Countryside Commission and Monmouth District Council. The other line at 05:51 is the Wire Works Branch which came off the main line between Tintern Tunnel and Black Morgan Viaduct at the appropriately named Wire Works Junction which was 4 miles and 418 Yards from Wye Valley Junction where the line joined the South Wales Main Line. The other end of the line went to Monmouth joining the Coleford, Monmouth, Usk and Pontypool Railway at Wyesham Junction. Tintern was the most important Intermediate Station between Chepstow and Monmouth. The signal Box was positioned in front of the Up & Down Loop Siding with a platform in front of that and the Down Main (Wyesham Junction to Wye Valley Junction) on the other side of the Island Platform. The Station was on the Up Main Platform (Wye Valley Junction to Wyesham Junction), at the Wye Valley Junction end behind the platform was a Loading Dock and Cattle Pens whilst towards Tintern River Bridge were three siding one of which had a Goods Shed on it, that line and one of the other sidings joined together after the goods shed. The Up & Down Loop Siding connected into the Down Main Line at both ends but in order to protect the Down Main Line Trap Points were used in a facing Direction at both ends of the Up & Down Loop Siding. the operation of this was most unusual in that to run a train right through this line it had to be done in two stages, this was due to the fact that the interlocking prevented both sets of points and both Trap Points been pulled at the same time. This meant that a train had to enter the Loop Siding with one point and Trap Point Reversed, when the train was at a stand in front of the open Trap Point at the far end of the Loop Siding the first set of points could be put back to Normal allowing the second exit points to be reversed and the Starting Signal Cleared. The only other place I have come across this arrangement was on the Branch Loop at Bala Junction where the line from Blaenau Ffestiniog met the line between Barmouth and Ruabon. The bridge at 08:01 took the Wire Works Branch over the River Wye to the Wire Works which was up an incline 3/4 of a mile from Wire Works Junction this line closing on the 6th May 1945, the Bridge is Grade 2 Listed. Looking forward to seeing what's left on the other side of the river, thank you for making a video of this Line it is a real treat to see it. Take Care, Andrew.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Hi Andrew, fascinating reading as always. Makes me want to go and take another look. The loop siding arrangement sounds complex, I thought the aim was always to make things simple if possible to avoid confusion and accidents. You mentioned two things you wondered if I had covered. Did I? Thanks for your wonderful work. Ron

[@andrewmerriman7133]

@@ParkinsonsWalks Hi Ron, The Loop Siding arrangement is the most secure way of protecting a Passenger running line. The Loop Siding could not be used for Passenger trains the signals for it all had rings on the arms to indicate this. The reason why you could not pull the crossover and trap at both ends at the same time was to make sure an accident could not occur. It would be impossible to exit the Loop Siding without the facing trap point being pulled over, in the event of the rear of the train not been inside the Loop Siding completely the fowling bars on the entry crossover and trap could not be returned to normal and consequently the Home Signal been pulled off (to Clear) for the relevant Up or Down Main. This was a very simple way of avoiding confusion or an accident. It came as no surprise to me that you covered the two things, they were, the Bridge for the Wire Works Branch over the River Wye and the Tunnel which you mentioned would be in part two. I will be interested to see if you found the site of Wire Works Junction and the 47 yard Black Morgan Viaduct. I should have put in my first comment that Tintern Signal Box was built by McKenzie and Holland in 1876 and had a 25 lever frame and that the Main Line river bridge was 69 yards and was a bridge not a viaduct. Best Wishes for a Happy Holiday weekend, Andrew.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

@@andrewmerriman7133 Brilliant Andrew, thank you. Ron

[@paulboyle6857]

Very pretty location,dropped in here a few years ago.nice cafe serving one of the best bacon butties I.ve eaten & only £2.50! Cheers Ron.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

The cake wasn't bad either Paul. Ron

[@GRAHAMAUS]

Further upstream at Redbrook is a bridge that was on the same line, you can still walk across it to get to The Boat pub, which I can recommend! This must be one of the most scenic valleys in the country -- well, Wordsworth thought so.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

I have been looking at that Graham, I have made a note. Thanks. Ron

[@peebee143]

There is (2019, or was) a well known motoring journalist who lived close to this site. I delivered a 5.0 V8 Mustang to him for evaluation. Stunning locale! That small brook which is over-bridged at several places in the locale must turn into a raging torrent on occasions of high rainfall. It's close to an A route, but so secluded and quiet. Chepstow race course is probably the local reason why it becomes heavily used when the horse racing season is on. Chepstow now the nearest rail station, busses are sparse.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Yes I would love to see the river racing down there. Did he buy the Mustang? P.W.

[@petersmith5574]

Ron late on parade this week as I'm midway through my Dartmouth holiday. I was hoping to attach a photo for you but typically, I can't see how. Lovely photos Ron and what an experience it would have been to have travelled that line. This summer I will be, or at least attempting to retrace your footsteps. Stay well. Peter

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Well done Peter, its a lovely place to visit, somewhere for all the family. Ron

[@TrainDriverRob]

Thanks Ron, great video minus the strimmer accompaniment. I’ve cycled to Tintern a few times on what we call ‘the bridge loop’ from Cheltenham, it is a lovely part of the World, for sure. I will look forward to the next video.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Hi Rob, I can see why you visit often, I felt like it was stepping back in time. Ron

[@lionelmarytravels6003]

Wonderful sound effects, Ron. Could have been stood there in 1930! Station is beautifully preserved too. I love the river Wye and that area was truly awesome. Nice to see the old coach parked up and well maintained. Is it a camping coach by any chance? Plenty of railway relics to spot, far more than in my latest jaunt, where I didn’t even find the remains of a telegraph pole or a signal post.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Hi both, I think the coaches were for displays, I don't think they were campers. Re your railway walk, it is very frustrating when there is nothing left. Happened to me a few times, luckily not often. Take care. Ron

[@davidberlanny3308]

Hi Ron, Didn't do my homework I'm afraid so have to own up and say I didn't know where Tintern was! I do now thanks to your video, Google maps and railmaponline. Looks a lovely place for a walk, Spring is definately there! Look forward to seeing the next installment. Good luck from Spain!!

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

My fault David, I shouldn't assume everyone knows somewhere just because I do. Enjoy your sunshine. Ron

[@davidberlanny3308]

@@ParkinsonsWalks Not to worry it's a great source of discovery. Sunny long weekend ahead, Bank Holiday on Monday, these are known out here as "puentes" literally bridges, now at the start of December the 6th and 8th are also bank holidays, when the calender aligns with everyone's hopes the 6th being Tuesday, then if your boss allows it you can have what is known as a viaducto, that is take Monday, Wednesday and Friday off as well!!

[@peebee143]

On a different level. Tintern Abbey will become a great little visitor site, once they get a roof on the place to help keep the weather out. Take care, folks!😄

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

After 900 years you would think they would have sorted it by now. P.W.

[@peebee143]

@ 11:06. That's the brake load change / Distributor assembly. (You were partly correct.)

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Thanks for the info. P.W.

[@peebee143]

@ 08;34. Been over that, or similar bridge to go off to nearby home.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Lucky you. P.W.