PrinCeS riSbOrOUgh PlatFOrm tO OPen On aUgUSt 15
Wednesday August 15 has been set as the opening date for the Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway’s new platform at the latter station. The inaugural train will be for invited guests, including the Department for Transport (which supported the project with a £75,000 grant in 2016), Network Rail, and Chiltern Railways, the operator of main line passenger services at Princes Risborough. Public trains, titled the ‘Watlington Flyer’ after the former nickname of the branch train, will operate in the afternoon, running non‑stop for the four‑mile trip from Chinnor to Princes Risborough. Tickets must be booked in advance and go on sale in July at www. chinnorrailway.co.uk Saturday August 18 will be a normal operating day but with trains commencing at 11am from Chinnor and 11.40 from Princes Risborough, with tickets valid for one round trip only. From Sunday August 19, operating days will be as per August 18, but tickets will be valid all day as normal. Until August 15, trains will only operate between Chinnor and Thame Junction, enabling the final track alterations to be carried out at Princes Risborough (SR480). Summer Thursday services on August 16, 23 and 30 will also only operate as far as Thame Junction. The opening of the main line interchange makes the CPRR the closest main line‑connected preserved railway to London, at less than 25 miles and a 40‑minute journey time from Marylebone. CPRR Chairman Danny Woodward said: “We have carried out a lot of research into what the opening days’ loadings may be, but the truth is we don’t know what will happen! “We have been advised by colleagues in the preserved railway sector to expect a surge in passenger numbers of up to 35%, so to make sure of travelling, people are urged to secure their tickets in advance via the website.”