10 Aug, Princes Risborough to Chinnor by steam train and back by foot

On Thursday 10 August, Barbara is repeating the trip that she organised last year, but this year with a genuine steam locomotive. (Last year, because of the drought it was substituted with a diesel unit.)

The trip is open to members of the North London HF group and Morley College Ramblers.

The meeting point will be Platform 4 at Princes Risborough Station in good time to catch the steam train departing at 11.20.   This platform is used only by the Chinnor to Princes Risborough heritage railway.

We can buy tickets for the heritage train at the little ticket office on that platform.   Tickets can also be bought on the train.

The single fare for the steam train ride is £12, or £11 for concessions (60+ years and Adult National Railcard holders).    

There is a Chiltern Rail train to Princes Risborough from Marylebone at 10.06, due to arrive at Princes Risborough at 10.51.   I shall catch an earlier one (at 9.40) in case the 10.06 does not run.   I would not advise anyone to risk taking the 10.36, which only reaches Princes Risborough at 11.14.

The ride on the heritage Chinnor to Princes Risborough Railway lasts only 21 minutes.   On arrival at Chinnor we shall spend a few minutes looking round the station, before starting the walk back to Princes Risborough.   This is about 5/6 miles, with a break at the Lions of Bledlow PH.   Service there is extremely slow.   So please bring a picnic lunch, or buy a sandwich or sausage roll at Chinnor station, and just buy a drink at the pub.

Anyone not wanting to walk back from Chinnor can buy a Rover ticket for £15 (£14 for concessions) and take a Diesel or steam train back to Princes Rsiborough.   There is a pub in Chinnor village, so non-walkers could have lunch there.  If in doubt, buy the Rover, which is a lot cheaper than two singles.

The walk back to Princes Risborough is flat, or gently downhill, apart from a short gentle climb up to the Ridgeway.   It will be taken at a leisurely pace.   Most members of the NLHF group walk more slowly than Morley Ramblers.   

The Ridgeway can be slippery after rain, but on the recce I only encountered one large puddle.   No stiles.

In the event of a mainline rail or London Underground strike, the trip will be cancelled.   As unions usually have to provide 14 days’ notice of a strike, I hope there will be none that day.

It would be helpful if you could let Barbara know if you plan to join the trip. (Directly, or via enquiries@morleyramblers.uk)