The route was part of the former Severn and Wye Railway which ran from Lydney to Cinderford.

Its removal was completed in June 2016, and is expected to be placed at the new upcoming Speech House Road.

[2][3] The Dean Forest Railway plans to extend its heritage services a further 2+1⁄2 miles (4.0 km) through/into the middle of the Royal Forest at Speech House Road (close to the nearby Beechenhurst Visitor Attraction), bringing the line to a total of about 6+3⁄4 miles (10.9 km) in length.

The project's status as a strategic regional development means that a large proportion of the estimated £8million cost could be met by Government funding.

In early 2020, all the Mark 1 and 2s were transferred ownership from the Forest of Dean Railway limited company to the DFR society, including XP64 number 4729.