Wye Valley Railway Timeline
Part 0ne
1865
Plans are drawn up for a direct rail link between Chepstow and Monmouth, with the original route being along the west bank of the river.
1866
The plans are revised to take the railway along the east bank for the majority of its route
July 1866
The Wye Valley Railway Bill is presented before Parliament.
August 1866
The line is sanctioned by Parliament after various issues, including the gauge are resolved. Despite the Gauges Act of 1846, there have been suggestions during the planning that the line be constructed to broad gauge. However, objections are dropped when the use of standard guage is confirmed.
May 1874
Construction of the line begins at Tintern, and construction of the line is divided into two sections, Tintern-Monmouth and Tintern-Chepstow.
June 1975
Provision to build a the Wireworks branch to to the Tinplate Works at Tintern is passed by Parliament. This branch ultimately proves to be an extreme liability to the WVR as it cannot charge for its use.
28th October 1876
The line finally opens, eight months behind schedule. It is immediately leased to the GWR who will work it.
March 1881
The first five years of service have not been as good as expected for various reasons and the situtation culminates in the legal action being taken against the Chairman of the Wye Valley Railway due to mismanagement and financial irregularities. The shareholders appoint a receiver to sort out the company.
September 1883
The Coleford Railway Company opens the branch from Wyesham Junction to Coleford, becoming the forth branch line to run from Monmouth Troy. It would be taken over by the GWR during 1884.
1887
Negotiations for the sale of the WVR to the GWR are started, but are halted by one of the directors of the WVR
1889
Unable to sort its affairs out, the Wye Valley Railway finally collapses and a second receiver is appointed to oversee the sale of the line to the GWR.
December 1904
WVR shareholders are informed that the takeover by the GWR is imminent.
February 1902
Tintern Wireworks is dismantled and the locomotive used on the Wireworks branch is sold. Traffic on the branch is now horse-drawn.
July 1905
The sale of WVR to the GWR is completed.
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