Background
As you may know, we have been running our trains into our rebuilt Platform 4 at Princes Risborough since August 2018 by the temporary expedient of passing through a half mile long Network Rail siding when it is not otherwise in use.
We need to complete the extension project by recommissioning our own line alongside, on the former trackbed of the original Watlington branch. This had become derelict since it was closed in 1989. Our income during the pandemic years suffered a major decline, and we are now seeking help in acquiring the remaining materials needed.
The necessary Transport and Works Act Order for what we are calling the Chinnor Independent Line was made by the Secretary of State in April 2021. We have already cleared the trees, dismantled and removed the old derelict track components (some for re-use), flattened the track bed, installed buried services and erected some signal posts! We recently placed all the track panels ready to join them all up. We are grateful to Network Rail and HS2 for their donation of 'pre-loved' track; we now have enough to cover the whole distance from Risborough to Thame Junction.
But it isn't finished yet! Next we need to acquire ballast, several hundred tonnes of it, as well as fishplates to join the rail sections together and install points and signalling. Recent events during our Steam Gala have renewed the urgency for finishing the Independent Line.
May we ask for your donation and support please
How much money do we need? It depends.... If we had pots of cash we could employ contractors to get the job done quickly with all new materials. Unlikely. So we will do it our usual way – seeking opportunities to acquire and transport mainly second-hand materials as the money becomes available, and doing the work ourselves. We are all volunteers.
Would you like to play your part by supporting the project financially? If you enjoyed our first ever Steam Gala you'll appreciate how your donation will help. Use the section at the bottom of this page and please do consider including Gift Aid if appropriate (as this will add an extra 25% to your donation without it costing you any extra!)
P.S. Any sum of monies is very welcome - but for those with generous wallets and purses you can select +£100 and add in any multiples, e.g. Quantity 2 will donate £200 etc.
Alternatively, you can make a donation by cheque payable to 'C&PRRA Ltd' and post it to: PR Extension Appeal, CPRRA, Station Road, Chinnor OX39 4ER.
Thank you for your support and it is greatly appreciated.
