Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The Vale of Berkeley Railway (VoBR) will be running trains on Gloucestershire’s Sharpness branch over three days this summer – offering the first chance to travel on the line since it closed to passengers in 1964.
Tickets are now on sale for the heritage railway’s Return to Sharpness event, with six trains each day from Friday 31st July to Sunday 2nd August. Passengers will ride on the VoBR’s 1980s Class 143 Pacer set for the eight mile trip from Sharpness to the end of the branch at Berkeley Road and back.
Reliving rail history
Return to Sharpness celebrates the 150th anniversary of the first passenger train to Sharpness on 1st August 1876. During each journey, a narrator will tell the story of the line and the Pacer trains. As an extra attraction there’s a chance to be a ‘Driver for a Fiver’ on a Planet diesel shunter at the VoBR’s Oldminster Sidings base.
Free bus transfer for rail travellers
To help reduce the number of car journeys to the event, the VoBR has organised free return bus services exclusively for Return to Sharpness ticket holders. Timed to connect with trains on the Gloucester to Bristol main line, the bus starts at Cam and Dursley Station, picks up at Cam Pitch and Berkeley High Street and arrives at the Sharpness Sports & Social Club.
The Sharpness Sports & Social Club will also host an exhibition exploring the history of the Sharpness branch, with refreshments and free parking available throughout each day. A shuttle bus will take passengers the short journey from the Club to Oldminster Sidings.
Booking available now via vobr.org.uk
All tickets must be booked via the Vale of Berkeley Railway’s website, which has full event details including the train and bus timetables, at www.vobr.org.uk.
About the Vale of Berkeley Railway
Formed in 2015, the Vale of Berkeley Railway is a charity focused on educating the public about how the railway served Sharpness Docks and helped shape the local community.
Originally based in the old Sharpness Dock Railway’s diesel shed, the VoBR moved to Oldminster Sidings in 2025. Entirely volunteer run, in the last year it has rapidly established new facilities, received its ORR licence to operate and is now achieving its long-held aim of running trains on the Sharpness branch line. New members and volunteers are always welcome and can find out more at vobr.org.uk
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For the latest from Stroud Times visit: stroudtimes.com
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Stroud Times - the independent community-based news website.
Encompassing the Stroud locality the team aim to provide engaging human interest stories, comprehensive sports coverage, and championing local businesses' success.
Living in the community they serve, editor Ash Loveridge, journalist Matt Bigwood, and photographer Carl Hewlett have joined forces to provide free-to-view local content devoid of a clickbait agenda and pop-up adverts.
The Vale of Berkeley Railway (VoBR) will be running trains on Gloucestershire’s Sharpness branch over three days this summer – offering the first chance to travel on the line since it closed to passengers in 1964.
Tickets are now on sale for the heritage railway’s Return to Sharpness event, with six trains each day from Friday 31st July to Sunday 2nd August. Passengers will ride on the VoBR’s 1980s Class 143 Pacer set for the eight mile trip from Sharpness to the end of the branch at Berkeley Road and back.
Reliving rail history
Return to Sharpness celebrates the 150th anniversary of the first passenger train to Sharpness on 1st August 1876. During each journey, a narrator will tell the story of the line and the Pacer trains. As an extra attraction there’s a chance to be a ‘Driver for a Fiver’ on a Planet diesel shunter at the VoBR’s Oldminster Sidings base.
Free bus transfer for rail travellers
To help reduce the number of car journeys to the event, the VoBR has organised free return bus services exclusively for Return to Sharpness ticket holders. Timed to connect with trains on the Gloucester to Bristol main line, the bus starts at Cam and Dursley Station, picks up at Cam Pitch and Berkeley High Street and arrives at the Sharpness Sports & Social Club.
The Sharpness Sports & Social Club will also host an exhibition exploring the history of the Sharpness branch, with refreshments and free parking available throughout each day. A shuttle bus will take passengers the short journey from the Club to Oldminster Sidings.
Booking available now via vobr.org.uk
All tickets must be booked via the Vale of Berkeley Railway’s website, which has full event details including the train and bus timetables, at www.vobr.org.uk.
About the Vale of Berkeley Railway
Formed in 2015, the Vale of Berkeley Railway is a charity focused on educating the public about how the railway served Sharpness Docks and helped shape the local community.
Originally based in the old Sharpness Dock Railway’s diesel shed, the VoBR moved to Oldminster Sidings in 2025. Entirely volunteer run, in the last year it has rapidly established new facilities, received its ORR licence to operate and is now achieving its long-held aim of running trains on the Sharpness branch line. New members and volunteers are always welcome and can find out more at vobr.org.uk
******************
For the latest from Stroud Times visit: stroudtimes.com
******************
Stroud Times - the independent community-based news website.
Encompassing the Stroud locality the team aim to provide engaging human interest stories, comprehensive sports coverage, and championing local businesses' success.
Living in the community they serve, editor Ash Loveridge, journalist Matt Bigwood, and photographer Carl Hewlett have joined forces to provide free-to-view local content devoid of a clickbait agenda and pop-up adverts.
