Chinnor forced to downgrade its autumn diesel gala event

WITH IT not being possible to arrange transport of the guest locomotives 58023, 31128 and a 'surprise' third locomotive in time, the Chinnor and Princess Risborough Railway’s planned diesel event on September 11/12 was downgraded to a diesel running weekend featuring Class 31 97205 and 37227 operating an intensive timetable throughout the weekend.

The Class 31 was making a return to traffic on the CPRR after two years out of traffic awaiting traction motor repairs, which were carried out during August.

The railway has already pencilled in April 1-3, 2022, for its spring diesel event, with 58023 and 31128 hopefully attending as guests.

The owner of 58023 has previously told Railways Illustrated that he would like the Class 58 to make its preservation debut at the CPRR, following a previous failed attempt to get the locomotive to an event on the line.

Now returned to action on the Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway, 31163 (running as 97205) recently underwent fitting of a replacement traction motor. On August 19, the locomotive is seen lifted off its bogies, while the traction motor was swapped out. Phil Marsh