Progress at Princes Risborough

Track will shortly be laid in the bay platform at Princes Risborough, as preservation’s newest main line interchange takes shape for a planned opening in 2018.


On September 17, visiting ‘64XX’ 0‑6‑0PT No. 6412 stands on the future run-round loop at Princes Risborough station, as the new Platform 4 takes shape. PHIL MARSH

With the removal of soil and rubble near the footbridge, the Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway’s permanent way gang can start preparing the trackbed adjacent to the platform for the return of rails and sleepers.

Says volunteer Phil Marsh: “It is extremely muddy and will require a lot of ballast.”

At the southern end of the run-round loop (which currently forms the running line for trains from Chinnor) the points have been connected to two sidings.

The third siding – adjacent to the Down main line – is to be lifted during a NR track possession and may be relaid as the new platform line if it’s found to be in good condition.

CPRR volunteers have completed the first stage of the future Platform 4 itself, with all the oversail (cantilever) blocks in place, and awaiting the addition of coping stones; the railway has enough in stock for approximately one-third of the platform length, including some recovered from the original bay platform.

Next on the list is the fitting of permanent double gates between the CPRR platform and Chiltern Railways’ adjacent Platform 3.

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