New Owners for Wilbert and Warrior

The Dean Forest Railway (DFR) has announced that two of its locomotives, no. 3806 ‘Wilbert’ and no. 3823 ‘Warrior’, have passed into new ownership. ‘Wilbert’ is now wholly owned by the supporting charity, Dean Forest Railway Society, while ‘Warrior’ has been sold to a private owner.

Image: Adrian Copley

In February 2021, the Dean Forest Railway Society (DFRS) purchased 50% ownership of ‘Wilbert’ with the proceeds enabling the boiler to be returned to the Norchard base of the DFR. With the boiler being returned to the frames in early 2026, ahead of an expected cosmetic restoration, the DFRS proposed the purchase of the remaining share of the locomotive. This share has now been sold for a nominal fee, with the value of the locomotive being retained for the purposes of future restoration. “Wilbert is a key part of Dean Forest Railway history, but unfortunately has been stored out of use for ten years. While a full restoration to working order is going to be an expensive undertaking sometime in the future, we look forward to having the locomotive cosmetically restored and back on display for the public to enjoy.”

Tim McLennan, Chairman, Dean Forest Railway Society

With a list of overhauls planned for 2026, particularly carriage repaints, it is expected that the cosmetic refresh of ‘Wilbert’ will be undertaken in 2027. This work is supported by Accurascale, who have committed a share of their revenue from their sold-out 00 gauge model to the project. Meanwhile, ‘Warrior’ has been stored as parts across the Lydney Junction and Norchard sites for a number of years, with shed space at a premium. She has never run in preservation, but a sale to a private owner will see her restored to steam at the DFR in due course.