Steam through the Chiltern Hills
Ride the old Watlington branch line between Chinnor and Princes Risborough. Hop on and off all day with a Day Rover, stop for tea and cake at our station café, and meet the volunteers who keep it running.
What's on
Autumn Steam Gala
Three visiting and resident steam locomotives working an intensive timetable: GWR Saint class 2999 Lady of Legend, BR Standard 9F 92134 and USA S160 6046, plus traction engines and steam vehicles in the yard.
Loco allocations are out — pick your favourite engine and we'll show you which trains it's hauling.
A great day out, start to finish
Free parking
Our car park at Chinnor is free for ticket holders. SatNav OX39 4BZ (Kiln Avenue), just 3 miles from M40 junction 6.
Arrive by train
Change at Princes Risborough from London Marylebone, Oxford or Aylesbury — our trains use Platform 4.
Station café
Volunteer-run café at Chinnor with bacon baps, pasties and homemade cakes. Trolley service on most steam trains.
The railway needs you
Every train is crewed, every coach restored and every cup of tea poured by volunteers. In July 2025 they opened our own independent line into Princes Risborough Platform 4. Help us write the next chapter.
Volunteer
Footplate, signalling, track, carriage restoration, catering, retail, gardening — no experience needed.
Find your roleBecome a member
Join the Association, get the newsletter and have a say in the railway's future.
Join todayDonate
We're a registered charity (№ 1016237). Gifts of any size keep heritage steam running in the Chilterns.
Make a donation
Running days, timetables & fares
Pick a date to see which timetable is running and the departure times from both stations. Day Rover tickets are valid on every train, all day.
Fares
Save £1 per ticket by booking online (available until 15:00 on the day of travel). No seat reservations needed on Green, Red or Blue timetable days.
| Day Rover ticket | Online | On the day |
|---|---|---|
| Adult16–59 years | £16 | £17 |
| Concession60+ years, adult National Railcard holders | £14 | £15 |
| ResidentAdults & concessions living in OX39 or HP27 | £11 | £12 |
| Child — Kids for a Quid3–15 years, up to two per adult/concession | £1 | £1 |
| Additional child3–15 years | £5 | £5 |
| Under 3s | Free | Free |
Up to two children ride for a pound with every adult or concession Day Rover.
Book Day Rovers
Events & experiences
Steam galas, Santa specials, evening trains and footplate experiences. Popular dates sell out — book early.
Who's hauling which train?
Choose a locomotive to highlight the trains it's leading. Allocations can change on the day for operational reasons.
Plan your visit
Two stations, one beautiful line. Everything you need to know before you travel.
By car
Chinnor station car park is free for train ticket holders. SatNav OX39 4BZ — the car park is on the right along Kiln Avenue. Follow the brown steam-loco tourist signs from the village. M40 J6 is 3 miles away.
By train or bus
Chiltern Railways serve Princes Risborough (SatNav HP27 9DN); our ticket office is on Platform 4. Bus Service 40 (Red Rose Travel) runs Thame – Chinnor – High Wycombe; alight at Chinnor Village Hall, 5–7 minutes' walk.
Accessibility
Level access at Chinnor via the side gate (OX39 4ER) — call 07979 055366 before travelling. Accessible toilets at Chinnor. Coach steps are about 25 cm; staff have boarding steps to help.
Full accessibility guideStation café
Open from 30 minutes before the first train until the last departure. Everyone welcome, ticket or not.
Families & dogs
Buggies welcome on board. Small dogs travel with you; please keep them on a lead and off seats. Children's party bookings available.
Explore nearby
- Chinnor circular walk from the station
- Old Kiln Lakes play area
- Chinnor Windmill & St Andrew's Church
- Princes Risborough market town
- The Chilterns National Landscape
Frequently asked questions
Can't find your answer? Call 07979 055366 (10:00–16:00) or email enquiries@chinnorrailway.co.uk.
Do I need to book a seat?
Can I start my journey at Princes Risborough?
Which engine will be running?
Can I break my journey?
Do you cater for groups and coach parties?
The Watlington branch, reborn
A Victorian light railway, a Great Western branch, a cement-works line — and now a volunteer-run heritage railway with its own route into Princes Risborough.
150 years on the line
- 1869
An Act of Parliament authorises the Watlington & Princes Risborough Railway, a light railway of 8 miles 66 chains.
- 1872
The branch opens on 15 August, with intermediate stations at Chinnor and Aston Rowant.
- 1883
After years of struggle, the Great Western Railway buys the line for £23,000 — less than half its construction cost.
- 1906
Rail-level halts open at Bledlow Bridge, Kingston Crossing and Lewknor Bridge.
- 1957
Regular passenger trains end on 1 July. Freight to Chinnor cement works keeps the line alive.
- 2016
Volunteers connect the railway to Network Rail's Thame branch siding, reaching Princes Risborough.
- 2025
On 5 July our volunteer-built independent line into Platform 4 is officially opened.
Keep steam alive in the Chilterns
We're a registered charity run entirely by volunteers. Here's how you can help.
Volunteer with us
Train crew, guards, signallers, station staff, track gang, carriage & wagon restoration, catering, shop, admin and gardens. Full training given and all ages welcome.
See vacanciesBecome a member
Members of the Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway Association receive the newsletter and can vote at the AGM.
Join the AssociationDonate
Give to the General Fund, the Princes Risborough North Signal Box appeal or the miniature railway. Gift Aid adds 25% at no cost to you.
Donate nowShop & give
Raise free donations when you shop online through easyfundraising, or donate railway books, DVDs and models.
easyfundraisingLeave a legacy
A gift in your will helps secure the railway for future generations.
Guide to wills & legacies