Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway

The line was part of the former Great Western Railway branch line between Watlington and Princes Risborough. British Railways closed the line to passenger traffic in 1957. The section between Chinnor and Princes Risborough thereafter carried a freight-only cement service until 1989.{{cite web | url = http://www.chinnorrailway.co.uk/history | title = History | access-date = 2014-01-27 | publisher = Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway}}

The Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway Association was formed around August 1989. On 19 May 1991, the first train{{snd}}a works train headed by a 0-4-0 Baguley diesel{{snd}}ran from Chinnor.{{cite journal |title=Preservation review: Chinnor's first train |journal=Railway World |date=August 1991 |editor-last1=Leigh |editor-first1=Chris |volume=52 |issue=616 |page=456 }} It began to operate passenger trains between Chinnor and the site of the former Wainhill Halt (about 1 km NE of Chinnor) in August 1994. In 1995, the route was extended by about 3 km to Horsenden Lane, and then to the old rail connection that led trains to Oxford now known as Thame Junction in 1996. On 21 February 2016, the railway was connected to the main line at Princes Risborough, with services commencing later that year running in to a siding adjacent to Platform 4 at Princes Risborough while works were being undertaken to rebuild the platform there. Some service trains were not always able to run that far either due to Network Rail / Chiltern Railways requirements or other works related to platform reinstatement and continued to terminate at Thame Junction.

The railway now operates between Chinnor and platform 4 at Princes Risborough, although some services may continue to terminate and turn around at Thame Junction for operational reasons. There is no platform at Thame Junction. Work to reinstate platform 4 at Princes Risborough was completed in August 2018.

Following discussions with Network Rail, an extension of about a mile (1.5 km) to Princes Risborough main line railway station was undertaken, with a view to running into Princes Risborough station.{{cite web | url = http://www.chinnorrailway.co.uk/201205_PrincesRisborough | title = Princes Risborough Extension, Progress at May 2012 | access-date = 2014-01-27 | last1 = Fagg | first1 = Roger | publisher = Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway | date = May 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140102194624/http://www.chinnorrailway.co.uk/201205_PrincesRisborough | archive-date = 2 January 2014 | url-status = dead }} This would allow passengers to connect from Chiltern Railways services on the Chiltern Main Line. Previously, the line was reconnected at a point just yards from the head shunt at Thame Junction for special events to allow trains to run into Princes Risborough station: in October 2013, the line was reconnected for the first 3 weekends for the Railway's "Haversham & Friends" celebrations,{{cite web | url = http://www.chinnorrailway.co.uk/Havershams_60th_Birthday | title = Haversham and Friends | access-date = 2014-01-27 | publisher = Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway | date = 2013-08-28 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140202110712/http://www.chinnorrailway.co.uk/Havershams_60th_Birthday | archive-date = 2 February 2014 | url-status = dead }} and the first through-train for 57 years, a rail tour from Aylesbury via Princes Risborough, ran on 5 October 2013.{{cite journal|title=Regional News|journal=RAIL|date=30 October – 12 November 2013|issue=734|first1=Howard|last1=Johnston|page=24}}{{cite web | url = http://www.chinnorrailway.co.uk/HF_day1 | title = Haversham and Friends, day 1. | access-date = 2014-01-27 | publisher = Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway | date = 2013-08-23 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140202111122/http://www.chinnorrailway.co.uk/HF_day1 | archive-date = 2 February 2014 | url-status = dead }}

On 21 February 2016, a small team of volunteers used a road-rail vehicle to install a track panel in place of a Network Rail buffer stop to reinstate the physical connection to Princes Risborough; the following day, official boundary gates and safety signage were installed, making the line operational.[http://www.rail.co.uk/rail-news/2016/chinnor-and-princes-risborough-railway/ Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway]. Retrieved 7 August 2016 With the extension in place, the line is {{convert|4|mi|km}} in length.{{citation needed|date=September 2016}} The link was used for the first time by a visiting locomotive as part of the diesel gala held on 4/5 June 2016; DB Cargo Class 66 66185 hauled 3-CEP 411198 on the 0950 from Chinnor.{{cite journal |title=Chinnor & Princes Risborough link restored |journal=RAIL |date=22 June – 5 July 2016 |last1=Clinnick |first1=Richard |issue=803 |page=25 }} A test run with a single-car DMU was operated on 25 June with the train running into Princes Risborough's temporary platform 4, followed a week later by a Class 17 working and then a steam-run on 10 July.{{cite journal |title=Chinnor takes big stride into Princes Risborough |journal=The Railway Magazine |date=August 2016 |editor-last1=Milner |editor-first1=Chris |page=11 }} The first full public service carrying VIP guests to Risborough ran on 23 July, hauled by D3018 Haversham with the return journey worked by GWR 0-6-0PT 5786 (L.92).

Bay platform 4 of the original Watlington branch has been reconstructed at Princes Risborough by the preserved railway using, where possible, materials recovered from the site; with that work completed, Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway passengers are now able to join or leave trains at Princes Risborough on certain services. [http://www.rail.co.uk/rail-news/2016/chinnor-and-princes-risborough-railway-to-operate-into-princes-risborough/ Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway to operate into Princes Risborough]. Retrieved 7 August 2016 The Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway held an official opening ceremony of the Platform on 15 August 2018. {{Cite web|url=https://www.chinnorrailway.co.uk/article.php/158/opening-date-announced-for-the-new-chinnor-princes-risborough-railway-heritage-and-main-line-rail-interchange|title=Opening date announced for the new Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway heritage and main line rail interchange Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway|website=www.chinnorrailway.co.uk|access-date=2018-06-10}}

Extending the line to the south-west from Chinnor towards {{rws|Aston Rowant}} near the A40, taking its total length to {{convert|6|mi|km}}.{{Cite book|last1=Oppitz|first1=Leslie|title=Lost Railways of the Chilterns|series=Lost Railways|year=2000|publisher=Countryside Books|location=Newbury|isbn=978-1-85306-643-6|page=24}}{{cite news | title = Travel: Reopened rail line could relieve M40 | date = 1997-12-22 | url = https://www.independent.co.uk/news/travel-reopened-rail-line-could-relieve-m40-1290209.html | work = The Independent | access-date = 2014-01-27}}

A purpose built Maintenance and Education centre at a site some 200 yards south of Chinnor station has been opened.{{cite web |url=http://chinnorrailway.co.uk/r&eca |title=Restoration and Education Centre Appeal |date=8 April 2013 |access-date=8 January 2014 }}

The railway is currently constructing a new independent line which will allow trains to run into Princes Risborough without having to use the Network Rail-owned line. {{Cite web |title=Can you help complete the 'Risborough Extension? Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway |url=https://www.chinnorrailway.co.uk/product.php/376/can-you-help-complete-the-risborough-extension/8cec26c5da51c1d12a5fdb83b5eeb3ba |access-date=2024-01-12 |website=www.chinnorrailway.co.uk |language=en}}

Chinnor station has been used for the filming of various TV series including Miss Marple and Midsomer Murders.{{cite web |url=http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/Satellite/9476/chinnorloc.htm |title=Midsomer Murders Locations - Chinnor, Buckinghamshire |access-date=2008-05-14 |last=Street |first=Joan |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090804170909/http://geocities.com/TelevisionCity/Satellite/9476/chinnorloc.htm|archive-date=2009-08-04}}

{{Reflist}}

{{commons category|Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway}}

• [http://www.chinnorrailway.co.uk/ The Railway website]

{{Heritage railways in England}}

{{Transport in Buckinghamshire}}

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Category:Heritage railways in Oxfordshire

Category:Heritage railways in Buckinghamshire

Category:South Oxfordshire District

Category:1989 establishments in England