Chinnor & Princes Risborough Diesel Gala - March 2018
The Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway held a Diesel Gala Weekend on one of the coldest and wintry weekends of the year. I visited the line on Saturday 27th March 2018. The event featured the return of recently restored Class 37 No.37227 by Graeme Watkins Railways. The locomotive is now based at the Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway. Joining the Class 37 were the part restored Class 31 No.31163, Class 17 No.D8568 and visiting Class 33 from West Coast Railways No.33207. The line also used thier own Class 121 Bubble Car No.55023 for one short return trip to Wainhill and back.
The day was bitterly cold with snow falling all day long, however it was well attended with the cafe doing a roaring trade with hot drinks, and bacon rolls being served all day long to keep enthusiasts warm inbetween trips to Princess Risborough.
Because the line does not currently have its mainline link installed at Princes Risborough (that should be complete in June 2018) a London Transport Routemaster provided bus links between Chinnor and Princess Risborough stations and could often be seen racing the train along the adjacent main road between the two stations, evoking memories of Bertie the Bus having a race with Thomas The Tank!
The day was bitterly cold with snow falling all day long, however it was well attended with the cafe doing a roaring trade with hot drinks, and bacon rolls being served all day long to keep enthusiasts warm inbetween trips to Princess Risborough.
Because the line does not currently have its mainline link installed at Princes Risborough (that should be complete in June 2018) a London Transport Routemaster provided bus links between Chinnor and Princess Risborough stations and could often be seen racing the train along the adjacent main road between the two stations, evoking memories of Bertie the Bus having a race with Thomas The Tank!
With snow on the ground and falling, BR Green Class 20 No.D8059 (20059) is pictured on the rear of the 09:00 Chinnoe - Princes Risborough service on Saturday 18th March 2018.
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West Coast Railways Class 33 No.33207 arrives into Chinnor on the 17th March 2018 to form the first train of the day the 09:00 Chinnor - Princes Risborough serivce during a Diesel Gala Weekend.
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BR Green Class 17 'Clayton' No.D6568 stands on the rear of the 12:00 Chinnor - Princes Risborough service on Saturday 17th March 2018.
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RLM 2251 CUV261C provided a shuttle service between Chinnor and Princes Risborough station throughout the day. The former London Transport Routemaster is pictured at Chinnor Station.
Newly restored Class 37 No.37227 operated by Grahame Watkins Railways trails on the rear of an ECS move into the sidings at Chinnor having arrived behind No.33207 with the 11:26 from Princes Risborough.
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On one of the coldest Diesel Gala events I've ever attended Class 17 'Clayton' No.D8658 arrives back into Chinnor with the 12:25 from Princes Risborough on Saturday 17th March 2018.
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BR Green Class 20 No.D8059 heads away from Chinnor working the 13:16 service to Princes Risborough on Saturday 17th March 2018.
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BR Class 31 (part restored) arrives into Chinnor hauling the 13:40 Princes Risborough - Chinnor service during the March 2018 Diesel Gala in the snow.
BR Green Class 121 No.55023 departs from Chinnor working the 13:00 Chinnor to Wainhill service on Saturday 17th March 2018.
Class 121 Bubble Car, No.55023 stands in the winter conditions at Chinnor on the 17th March 2018.
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West Coast Railways Class 33 No.33207 stands at Chinnor on the 17th March 2018 having arrived on the rear of the 13:40 Princes Risborough - Chinnor service.
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