A disused station building in Pontypool is to become a key element in extending Dean Forest Railway from its current railhead in Parkend through to Cinderford.
 
The Griffithstown Station is to be dismantled stone by stone to be rebuilt near Beechenhurst Lodge Visitors Centre as part of the railway's ambitious £67 million extension plan over the next ten years.
 
Stuart Williams, the railway's sales and marketing director, said, "There are still quite a few hurdles to cross but we don't see anything that can't be dealt with. We have had talks with the relevant bodies including the county council highways department, the district council, and the Forestry Commission who are all very positive. Obviously funding the project will be a problem, but we don't see that as being insurmountable, and we will be looking at the grants available for the estimated £6-7 million cost of the scheme."
 
Jason Shirley, the railway's civil engineering expert added, "A GWR building is appropriate for the setting and, aesthetically, it will merge into the forest surroundings beautifully. The only remaining hurdle for us is to raise the £20,000 funding needed to take the building down, label it, and transport it the short distance to Gloucestershire."
 
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