Cholsey and Wallingford Railway
INFORMATION FOR THE VISITOR
RCD’s Overview
A short railway line, on a former Great Western Railway branch, very convenient to reach via Cholsey which has frequent rail services on the Reading - Oxford line. It was a typical GWR branch, a feel that the heritage railway aims to re-create. Its most recent success is the relocation of the GWR canopy from Maidenhead station and repositioning at Wallingford. Most trains are hauled by diesel shunters at present, with the occasional visiting steam locomotive. The railway is close to the Didcot Railway Centre, and a combined visit to both can be easily made.
Happening This Month: June 2023
Saturday 3 June and Sunday 18 June.
Key Facts (where and when)
Extent of Railway (where to where):
Cholsey to Wallingford (Oxfordshire)
Principal Visitor Centre:
Wallingford station (OX10 9DA)
Period of Operation*
- April to September (Weekends)
[* 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?
Diesel
Type of Steam / Diesel Locomotives Used:
Class 08 diesel shunter locomotives
Length of Line:
2.5 miles
Time taken for a round trip:
45 minutes
Number of trains per day:
Up to 7 in each direction
Number of Stations:
2 stations
Prices:
Adult: £12 Child: £5 (compartments can also be booked)
Time to allow for Visit:
2 hours
Museum:
No
Shop/Cafe:
Yes/Yes
Picnic/Play areas:
No
Preservation Established:
1985
Car Park Facilities:
Free parking near to Wallingford Station. Limited paid parking at Cholsey
Key Facts (Galas/Events/Dining)
Dining Trains:
- The Wallingford Fryer
Event Trains:
- Polar Express: Late November and December
Principal Galas:
- Spring Bank Holiday: April/May
Contacts
Email: No email
Telephone: 01491 835067
Website: www.cholsey-wallingford-railway.com
Social Media: www.facebook.com/CholseyWallingfordRailway
Also on Twitter
INFORMATION FOR THE ENTHUSIAST
Brief History of the Railway and its Preservation
The heritage line operates along most of the former Wallingford branch of the Great Western Railway from Cholsey station (on the London- Bristol main line) to the market town of Wallingford, 3 miles away. The line was opened in 1866 and sold to the GWR in 1872. The line closed to passengers in 1959 however most of the line was retained for freight services to maltings adjacent to the railway close to Wallingford Station. This freight traffic closed in 1981. The Cholsey and Wallingford Railway Preservation Society was formed intending to operate a heritage line. Its first trains ran in 1985, with regular services over the line to Cholsey starting in 1997.
Principal Aspiration
At Wallingford station, complete the re-build of its station building, as well as its historic signal box.
Diesel Operational Locomotives:
(1) BR Class 08 - 08022 'Lion'
(2) BR Class 08 - 08060 (D3074/13074) 'Unicorn'
(3) BR Class 08 - 08123 'George Mason'
Stored/ Under Restoration/ Out of Service:
- None advised
INFORMATION ON THE SUPPORT GROUP
Name of Support Group:
Cholsey and Wallingford Railway has its own membership which provides support.
Annual membership fee:
Adult: £24. Senior: £16. Junior: £6 Family: £38
Benefits of membership:
- Travel Vouchers exchangeable for one return ticket valid for travel all day
- Members’ Running Day with free rides
- Magazine, ‘The Bunk’ issued three times a year
How to Join: www.cholsey-wallingford-railway.com/membership
What They Say About Volunteering:
Want to join a winning team? In 2022 the CWR won the ‘Small Groups’ award at the Heritage Railway Awards, a fantastic reward for all the volunteers. As a 100% volunteer run organisation, the volunteers are the heart of the CWR. We would not be able to run the railway without our fantastic team of volunteers, who are responsible for everything from running trains, keeping our station looking great to selling tickets & refreshments and much, much more.
How to Volunteer: Go to www.cholsey-wallingford-railway.com/volunteering
How to Donate: Go to www.cholsey-wallingford-railway.com and scroll to the bottom of that page.
WHY JOIN: Help the railway complete the re-build of its station building and its historic signal box.
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 (Didcot Railway Centre)
- Oxfordshire Railway Society
- Reading Transport Group
Model Railway Clubs:
- Abingdon & District Model Railway Club
- Oxford and District Model Railway Club