HER 6084 DESCRIPTION:-

SO53541014 - SP53080794 - SO54170643 - SO52590384 - SO53140186 - SO53550031 - ST53769845 - ST54759736 - ST55249578 - ST55149485 - ST54559444.

(6084/1-2) - This line was opened in 1876 to connect Monmouth with the South Wales line at Chepstow. Operated by the GWR and absorbed by it in 1905. Passenger services were withdrawn in 1959 and the line closed finally in 1964. The section of the track between the Snipe Hill link with the South Wales line and Tintern Quarry has been retained as a mineral line for the quarry owners. Original intermediate stations were at Redbrook (named Redbrook on Wye until 1935), Bigsweir (renamed St Briavels and Llandogo in 1909 and St Briavels in 1927), Tintern and Tidenham. Halts were later added at Wyesham (1931), Penallt (1932), Whitebrook (1927), Llandogo (1927), Brockweir (1929), Netherhope (1932) and Tutshill (1934). {Source Work 79.}

The Wye Valley line was completed in 1876, branching out of the South Wales line at Sedbury and passing through tunnel 1,188yds long from Netherhope to the banks of the Wye below Dennel Hill. The line ceased to carry passenger traffic after 1959 and by 1969 the rail had ben taken up along the river bank, the line was already much overgrown. The southern part of the line was still used by the quarries at the north end of the tunnel. {Source Work 894.}

Railway track runs from SO50SW parallel to the Wye until it runs into Tidenham Tunnel and hence off the map. {Source Work 362.}

In Gwent, between Redbrook Bridge and Whitehouse the line forms part of the "Lower Wye Valley Walk". {Source Work 79.}

Historic England UI - 1361552 - LINEAR 953 “The Monmouth and Wye Valley Railway ran 13 3/4 miles from Monmouth to join the South Wales Railway at Wye Valley Junction, East of Brunel's bridge. Opened in 1876, passenger services were withdrawn in 1959, although it remained open as freight line until 1964, when it was cut back to the 2.5 miles from Tidenham quarry to Wye Valley Junction. It has since been closed.” {Source Work 4249.}

(6084/3-4) - SO535101 - Redbrook Station and sidings. Recently converted into a house, once renowned for its well kept garden. {Source Works 79, 5134, 5136, 5138 & 3710.}

[Historic England UI - 500918, NMR - SO 50 NW 90] Opened in 1876 and closed in 1964 {Source Work 4249.}

Now a house, just behind a petrol station. {Pers. comm. J. Colombo, 1983.}

(6084/5) - SO536098 - Redbrook Bridge. A wooden bridge which carried the line over the Wye, still in existence for use of pedestrians. On the far side of the river the site of the Penallt halt was opposite the Boat Inn. {Source Works 79, 5134, 5136, 5138 & 3710.}

Iron bridge girder construction, curves slightly as it crosses the river and rests on 4 pairs of large round iron pillars. Has a footbridge attached to one side of it. {Pers. comm. J. Colombo, 1983.}

Mid C19, cast and wrought iron, 4 pairs of cylindrical piers with one large X brace between forming 5 bays at an angle across the River Wye. Wrought iron lattice girder spans. {Source Work 1043.}

(6084/6) - SO535003 - Tintern Bridge. From the ancient Monk's Path the abutments of the steel bridge which carried the line across the Wye can be seen. {Source Works 79, 5134, 5136 & 5138.}

(6084/7) - SO535003 - SO536002 - Tintern Tunnel, 200 yards long. {Source Works 79, 5134, 5136 & 5138.}

[Historic England UI - 1387008 - NMR - SO 50 SW 69] "SO 5363 0007. Part of the course of the Monmouth and Wye Valley Railway (Linear 953) near Tintern is visible as an earthwork on aerial photographs. The section of the line described in this record is about 395 m long, following the eastern bank of the River Wye for about 190m and passing through a 165m tunnel. After a further 40m it is carried northward across a bridge to the Welsh side of the river. A short siding is visible just before the southern end of the tunnel at SO 5360 0012. Aerial photographic evidence suggests that this part of the line was disused and without track by 1951. The railway has been been mapped by EH's Gloucestershire NMP. (1-3)" {Source Work 4249.}