The Severn and Wye Railway began as an early tramroad network established in the Forest of Dean to facilitate the carriage of minerals to watercourses for onward conveyance. It was based on Lydney, where a small harbour was constructed, and opened its line to Parkend in 1810. It was progressively extended northwards, and a second line, the Mineral Loop was opened to connect newly opened mineral workings. To facilitate transfer of traffic to the neighbouring South Wales Railway main line, the Severn and Wye Railway network was converted from a plateway to a locomotive-worked broad gauge edge railway, and then to a standard gauge railway. Extensions were made to Lydbrook, Cinderford and Coleford.
Its Oakwood Branch diverged from the Milkwall branch at Parkend Saw Mills in a South Westerly direction skirting two sides of Whitemead Park. It turned in a Westerly direction at Oakwood Bottom at Mill Hill.
The Churchway Branch left the S&W Main Line at Mirystock Bridge and proceeded north-east along Serridge Green to Churchway Engine where it formed an end-on junction with the Forest of Dean Railway from Bullo Pill.
Note: There is a separate album for the Severn & Wye Railway after conversion to a "modern" railway.