Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway Discussion

The original plan (mentioned in Wiki, and which I've just cross-checked in Regional Histories) was a line from Cholsey to Princes Risborough. That became the Wallingford branch; the Watlington branch from Princes Risborough was an independent promotion when it was realised that the line would not break out from Wallingford. It's debatable just how much discussion there really was about closing the gap once they became two rural branches.

 

Unfortunately the M40 is in the way!

 

“Enough with the WIBN.” - @Paulthehitch

 

I think Wiki is a bit dubious on its facts. The original plan was to extend the line via Benson to Watlington in 1863. The Wycombe Railway had only just opened to Risborough in 1862 and at that time terminated at Thame so it seems a bit pointless linking to the Wycombe Railway at Risborough when it was only a winding branch line via Wycombe Bourne End to Maidenhead. Also the Wycombe Railway was broad gauge while the Wallinford branch was standard guage.

Some History on the Walingford line here https://www.cholsey-wallingford-railway.com/history

 

When Chiltern Railways was in its early stages one proposal was to extend the Chinnor line back to the M40 and build a Park and Ride station similar to their creation of Warwick Parkway, various practical and financial issues prevented the idea moving forward.

 

Which is why I double-checked with my copy of the Regional Histories for Thames and Severn. The details are slightly opaque, but do support the contention that the original - and never delivered - plan was for a line connecting both. The status and gauges of the different railways all support the view that it's unsurprising that the gap was never filled.

 

I think that counts as a lucky escape really - single track heritage railway with no passing places would have been swallowed by Chiltern. They were on firmer ground with their proposals to get back to at least Thame, but remember this was the same sort of time that Chiltern were talking about going north from Aylesbury as far as Rugby - which wouldn't in any way involve large scale demolition in Brackley and Woodford Halse, nor the rebuilding of a major viaduct and multiple bridges....

One thing Chiltern Mk1 were very good at was pub talk dressed up as 'proposals' - I think because they were led by enthusiastic railwaymen. It's not a bad thing, but theory tended to buckle slightly when faced with reality.

 

you write as though the RVR hasn't just established that new level crossings can be built where necessary...

 

Of course! That would then allow CHR to cross a minor road such as the A5(T) without any difficulty!
As a side note I believe that the levels would would indicate a tunnel under the M40 would be more appropriate in that location. And in a few months there will be a tunneling machine looking for work not too far away.
What's not to like. I feel a Facebook railway is called for...

 

4555 from Darmouth Steam Railway is the 2024 steam loco.

Info from https://www.chinnorrailway.co.uk/article.php/272/gwr-small-prairie-4555

Sent from my SM-A137F using Tapatalk

 

Are there no resident steam engines there, working or otherwise?

 

No. They prefer to hire in and not have to worry about overhauls etc. Seems to have worked well as it has been run this way for many years.

 

It also adds variety and no doubt people have gone back to see different engines year on year.

 

And there is a decent sized pool of smaller GWR tanks available.

 

Like me - I was a member there when I lived in the area and the philosophy was basically that they didn’t want a collection of scrap, or an industrial, they were a GWR/WR branch line. So they concentrated on well turned out carriages and suitable undercover facilities where locomotive owners would feel happy their property was being looked after. Strong links with the SDR amongst others, and mostly a different (usually GWR) engine every year.

it’s a fairly unusual arrangement but it really does work for them, because they’ve never yet not got something in return for a year’s steaming fees.

it’s a lovely, lovely line. In fact, this post is prompting me to rejoin!