Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway
The Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway is a 3½-mile standard-gauge heritage railway in Oxfordshire, running through the Chiltern Hills between Chinnor and Thame Junction (close to Princes Risborough). The line is the surviving section of the former GWR / Wycombe Railway Watlington branch, which connected the rural villages between Princes Risborough and Watlington from 1872.
The Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway preservation society was formed in 1989, ten years after the line's 1989 closure as a chalk-stone freight line. The first preserved trains ran in 1996, and the line has progressively extended towards Thame Junction. Long-term plans include a connection to the Network Rail at Princes Risborough, which would provide direct interchange with the Chiltern Main Line.
History
The Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway Association was formed in 1989, immediately after the closure of the chalk-traffic freight branch. After several years of trackbed acquisition and station rebuilding, the first preserved trains ran in 1996. Progressive extensions have continued, with the long-term aim of connecting to the Network Rail at Princes Risborough.
Original line history
The line was the GWR Watlington branch, opened in 1872 by the Watlington & Princes Risborough Railway and absorbed by the GWR in 1883. Passenger services were withdrawn in 1957 and the freight service in stages, with the chalk-stone trains from Chinnor cement works ceasing in 1989.
Stations and infrastructure
Chinnor is the northern terminus and headquarters, with the rebuilt station building and engine shed. Thame Junction is the southern terminus.
Route and stations
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors
Special events and operations
Events include steam galas, 1940s weekends, beer festivals, and Santa Specials.
Visitor information
Chinnor is signposted from the M40 Junction 6 and the A40. The nearest Network Rail station is Princes Risborough (Chiltern Railways from Marylebone).