Tidenham Tunnel, driven through hard limestone, was the most challenging work on the line. Work continued day and night. It took 20 months to complete.

Discover the skill of the Victorian railway engineers who designed and supervised the construction of the railway.

Several hundred navvies were needed to build the line under the contractors, Messrs. Reed Bros and Co. These navvies not only worked with shovels and wheelbarrows but included trades such as bricklayers, blacksmiths, rock drill operators and carpenters.

The 1866 Act of Parliament authorised a route along the west bank of the River Wye passing through Tintern. The 1874 route followed the east bank of the River Wye. What was the line of both routes and why was the change made?

Not far from the northern portal of Tidenham tunnel a short tunnel passes under the embankment. But why is it there?

The Duke of Beaufort insisted this short branch line was built to serve his wireworks, setting onerous conditions on the Wye Valley Railway.

Worked by locomotive for 22 years then by horses for 35 years.