The obvious first choice is to ride the line and take as many images as you wish. Whilst doing this, you might also spot some good vantage points for further photography, of which there are quite a few en route!
If you are using your camera on board the train, then your safety and the safety of others is paramount. Please do not lean out of the windows and needless to say, do not open carriage doors whilst the train is in motion. Only do so, when the train has come to a complete stop at the station!
Also, when you are out and about in the landscape to photograph the railway, please do follow the Countryside Code. May we also request your respect for private property. The railway and its supporters hope to be good neighbours to all those whose property backs on to the line.
Several vantage points which may be of interest for photography:
Footbridge adjoining the road bridge at Chinnor
This position affords a safe view of the trains leaving and returning to Chinnor. You look down into a cutting with the track on a falling gradient toward you. Access is via the car park, cross over the main road and turn left to the footbridge.
Keens Lane (Donkey Lane) and Chinnor Bank
Trains to your right will be completing their climb out of the cutting and will approach on a gentle curve. Trains on your left will be ascending Chinnor Bank on their return journey. Access on foot takes about 12-15 minutes - as above but walk over the footbridge and take the first right turning (no access to cars), follow the lane and turn right into Church Road. After passing the church and shops, turn right into Keens Lane. Keeping to the left hand side the road becomes a trackway and leads you to the railway crossing.
So as not to alarm our Driver please stand clear of the crossing and behind the gates. It really is common sense as getting too close to any moving train is dangerous, even on a heritage line. For those with telephoto capabilities and anyone looking to video the train in the landscape, then go over the crossing (keeping a sharp lookout for trains) and after a short distance, turn left into the open fields and follow the path to Wainhill or Bledlow.
Wainhill Crossing
We strongly recommend walking from Keens Lane (see above) as there are no parking or turning facilities available at the level crossing, which serves the very small hamlet of Wainhill. When the trains are running any visitors arriving on foot are invariably made welcome by our Gateman. When the gates are open to road traffic views of the rising gradient to Chinnor can be obtained and in the opposite direction the line drops away from the crossing towards Bledlow.
Bledlow Village
This location offers the photographer an excellent view of the railway and across the Vale taking in Bledlow Village Cricket Club grounds. If you are arriving by car then turn off the B4009 into West Lane (signposted Bledlow) and continue under the railway bridge and then park in the vicinity of the Lions of Bledlow public house. Footpaths in front of the pub will lead you to the view described above.
Horsenden Lane Crossing
This location offers splendid views of the railway and surrounding fields. If you are arriving by car then turn off the B4009 very close to the former railway bridge just outside Princes Risborough. This bridge once carried the branch to Oxford via Thame, but is now part of the Sustrans Phoenix Trail. After turning off the main road follow the track up a slight hill to the small parking area between the old bridge and Horsenden Crossing. Please do remember to keep the crossing clear.
Finally, if you have any cracking photographs that you feel may be of interest to our visitors and which could be used on our website or in our other publicity, please contact enquiries@chinnorrailway.co.uk and just to mention - we will need your copyright permission, and where possible the location and date information. Thank you.