INFORMATION FOR THE VISITOR

RCD’s Overview

By heritage railway standards, a comparative newcomer, but a railway with a growing reputation. Its trains run along part of the old GWR Watlington branch line. In doing so, it passes alongside the foot of the scenic Chiltern Hills. It is easily accessible, having national rail connections at Princes Risborough (trains direct from Marylebone), and just a few minutes away from the M40, making it easy to reach from London as well as the surrounding Buckinghamshire and Berkshire areas.

The support group is the 'Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway Association' (see 'Information on the Support Group' below).

Happening This Month on the Railway

• Go to 'Homepage' and click into 'Railway Club Calendar'

Key Facts (where and when)

Extent of Railway (where to where):

Chinnor (Oxon) to Princes Risborough (Bucks)

Principal Visitor Centre:

Chinnor station (OX39 4ER)

Period of Operation*

- March to May, and October: Sundays

- June and July: Sundays and occasional Saturday

- August: Thursdays and Sundays, and occasional Saturday

- September: Sundays and most Saturdays

- November and December: Special event trains

[* This is a summary. Please go to the railway’s website for definitive operating days] 

Key Facts (what you’ll see)

Services usually steam or diesel?

Mix of both on a day

Type of Steam / Diesel Locomotives Used:

Tank steam and diesel locomotives

Length of Line:

4 miles

Time taken for a round trip:

1 hour

Number of trains per day:

Up to 5 in each direction

Number of Stations:

2 stations

Prices:

Adult Rover: £15 Senior Rover: £14.Child Rover: £5 (online £1 cheaper with £2 transaction fee)

Time to allow for Visit:

2 to 3 hours

Museum:

No

Shop/Cafe:

Yes/Yes

Picnic/Play areas:

No

Preservation Established:

1989

Car Park Facilities:

At Chinnor (free) and Princes Risborough Railway (charges)

Key Facts (Galas/Events/Dining)

Dining Trains:

- None currently advertised                                                                   

Event Trains:

- Santa Steam Specials: Late November and December 

Principal Galas:

- Diesel Gala: April

Contacts

Email:                                                                     Use contact box on railway website

Telephone:                                                           07979 055366

Website:                                                                www.chinnorrailway.co.uk

Social Media:                                                        www.facebook.com/chinnorrailway

                                                                                Also on Twitter/ Instagram/ YouTube/ Flickr

 INFORMATION FOR THE ENTHUSIAST

 Brief History of the Railway and its Preservation  

The heritage line was part of the former Great Western Railway branch that ran from Princes Risborough to Watlington. In 1957 British Railways closed the line to passengers, however the section between Chinnor and Princes Risborough remained open for freight services until 1989. The Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway Association was formed in 1989 with the aim of reopening that section, and by 1991 had succeeded in running trains at Chinnor Station. It then expanded its operations reaching Thame Junction in 1996 and connecting with national network services at Princes Risborough in 2006.

 Principal Aspiration

To extend the line from Chinnor towards Aston Rowant.

Steam Operational Locomotives:

GWR Prairie Tank Engine - No. 4555 (on loan for 2024)

Diesel Operational Locomotives/DMU:

(1) BR Class 03 – D2069 (03 069)

(2) BR Class 08 - D3993 (08 825)

(3) BR Class 37 - D6727 (37 227)

(4) Heritage DMU Class 121 - W55024

Diesel Locomotives Under Overhaul:

(1) BR Class 08 - ‘Haversham’ (D3018/ 08011)

(2) BR Class 31 - 31 163

(3) Heritage DMU Class 121 - W55023

(4) Ruston shunter - ‘Iris’ (AD420, WD8214)

Stored/ Under Restoration/ Out of Service:

- BR Class 411/9 - 3 car CEP - 1198

INFORMATION ON THE SUPPORT GROUP

Name of Support Group:

Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway Association

Annual membership fee:

Adult: £25. Senior: £20. Junior: £10 Family: £40. Life: £380

Benefits of membership:                                  

-          Half-price travel (and up to four complimentary journeys per year)

-          Attendance at bi-monthly meetings for Members and also social or other events from time to time.

-          Quarterly Magazine: The Watlington Flyer

How to Join:                            Go to www.chinnorrailway.co.uk/article.php/71/become-a-new-member

What They Say About Volunteering:

The Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway is run by volunteers. There are no paid staff, and every penny is ploughed back into the Railway. Its future depends on its Volunteers. Could you be one of them? We will give you an idea of the range of activities needed to keep the Railway operational and explain how you can get involved. We need people in all departments, to run and look after the railway, and to contribute to its projects. Whether you can come along every weekend, or some other days, or just occasionally, your help is needed. Without enough volunteers the railway would simply not survive.

How to Volunteer:                   Go to www.chinnorrailway.co.uk/article.php/72/join-our-volunteer-team

How to Donate:                       Go to www.chinnorrailway.co.uk/section.php/12/1/donations

WHY JOIN: Help the railway achieve its ambition to extend to Aston Rowant.

INFORMATION ON OTHER SOCIETIES WITH RELATED INTEREST

Those interested in this railway may also be interested in the following railway societies also listed on this

website:

Traditional Railway Societies:

- Great Western Railway Society

- Oxfordshire Railway Society

- Marlow and District Railway Society

Model Railway Clubs:

- Risborough and District Model Railway Club

- High Wycombe & District Model Railway Society