Ghost Train: Chepstow to Monmouth (Wye Valley Railway)

Ghost Train: Lost Railways of Britain
Ghost Train: Lost Railways of Britain
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Published 2024-04-28
A past and present look at the lost railway link between Chepstow and Monmouth! (Wye Valley Railway) It ran nearly 15 miles (24 km) along the Lower Wye Valley between the towns of Chepstow and Monmouth, crossing several times between Wales and England. Opened on 1 November 1876, it was leased to, and worked by, the Great Western Railway (GWR), before being fully absorbed by the GWR in 1905.

The line was built with the hope of becoming part of a through trunk route between Bristol and the industrial Midlands, a development which never took place. Although tourism provided some new passenger business in the late Victorian and Edwardian periods, the line's income was always weak.

After nationalisation, British Railways reviewed its viability and withdrew the passenger service on 5 January 1959. A limited goods and mineral service continued until 1964, after which residual traffic continued on the southern end of the route to Tintern Quarry, until 1981, and Dayhouse Quarry, near Tidenham, until 1990.

Credits to the image owners featured.

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All Comments (11)
  • @tango6nf477
    Another picturesque line which would if still there attract many users merely for the fun of riding it, making money from tourism and preserving railway connections to the wider system. It makes you weep.
  • @whyyoulidl
    What a brilliant creation! you deserve more subs, so I've obliged - Thanks 👍
  • @anthonyguter
    Such a clever way to show how the railways slotted into the landscape.
  • @MorrisTart
    The ghost loco being a little tank engine is a welcome improvement and far more appropriate when it is hauling two carriages. Well done.
  • @stevieb125
    That line along with the Usk Valley line would today be economic and would refuce traffic congestion along the A40 and A449 roads which connect with the M4 which can get really busy. Although as the line ran close to the river Wye in some areas, measurements would have to be taken as the river is tidal and can burst its banks during high tide and heavy rain.
  • @deeperry8341
    Did try and send you some pics of Bedford to Northampton line but email address didn't work