I'm a volunteer at the railway and form part of the team that is restoring the signal box at Princes Risborough. The reason that the line between Princes Risborough and Chinnor survived was because it served the cement works at Chinnor which closed in 2000. Thank you for a wonderful video.
@@RediscoveringLostRailways The line from Princes Risborough to Chinnor closed on the 20th December 1989 (which was also my 16th birthday!) when it ran the last coal train to Chinnor Works. I have a copy of the video that was made of the last train to Chinnor.
Interestingly, one of only a handful of vintage railways here in New Zealand, the Glenbrook Vintage Railway, only survived being uplifted because it shares all but 2 miles with the frieght line that service our largest, exporting steel mill.
One of my Dad's cousins used to live in Chinnor and worked at the cement works for years. He died some years ago, not long after he had retired, of lung disease.
I lived in Chinnor until I was ten years old in 1948 and knew the Chinnor railway well. You are doing great work in keeping it open, all my earliest and fondest memories are of the village and of the railway. Thank you very much
Nice video! I'm a life member of the railway. The rebuilt Chinnor station building was only possible, thanks to the old Watlington station building which in the 1990s was just standing! The land is very private and the railway had to get permission to study and take photos of the building to ensure plans to be made to rebuild Chinnor station. The landowner is not keen in people visiting his land. There are long term plans to expend the line to Aston Rowant.
Thank you - glad you enjoyed the film and pleased to get the approval of an insider. Chinnor railway station is stunning and a credit to the volunteers.
A name I know, Was going through some comments. You wrote on one of mine?. Done this Watlington and Aston Rowant. In a railway playlist. Now will think and annoy me all night, what have you wrote on :) Mised the tarmac at Aston Rowant. Thought a platform as on a old 1940's film, linked in my words. Now think I got the biildings the wrong side, found something anyway. Farmer knock down one of the buildings, roof on the floor. I got to it through bushes, fun that was.
So well filmed. Emotion, frustration, and as already expressed, sadness. Many people who knew and experienced the days of this bucolic mode of transport are becoming fewer.Thank goodness for those whose dedication and passion that are prepared to do something about it. From current reports in the media it seems at last there may be a revival of interest attracting funding from various directions to help with those that until now, have been the comparatively dedicated few. John Betjeman would be delighted.
Yes, your filming and comments are first class. I am 66years old now and spent my working life on the railways and i was 15 when i started work on British Rail. I worked in many different departments such as signalling, shunting, station duties, lamp man duties and many more over the years. So for me it is so sad to see branch lines being ripped up at the same time as our roads are getting more and more congested, Beaching and Marpels have a lot to answer for. I look forward to your next video, very interesting and very informative and very professional.
What a beautifully made documentary.... I always have visions of the old branch lines with the old steam engines clanking away through the countryside of England's Green And Pleasant Land from a bygone era.... Wonderful!!!
The ruins have been demolished. This was done at least two years ago. Only the chimney stack remains, which you can see from the main road between Watlington and Shirburn. Possibly the landowner got fed up of people trespassing onto the site.
Many thanks not just for retracing the branch line but also for the poignant narration and music. How refreshing to find a classical music backdrop rather than some trash from Radio 1. My long-suffering wife and I visited the railway some twenty years ago. It was the archetypal British bank holiday. We went up the line for about twenty minutes, stopped, had to remain in the carriage as the line did not go as far as Princes Risborough and then went back to Chinnor. Before we had a cup of tea and went home. Actually, one of the volunteers must have thought I looked very distinguished and affluent as he gave me a guided tour of the sidings and described what needed to be carried out, ie, funded. My wife and I departed, and then watched the episode of Fawlty Towers where Sybil discovers that Basil has commissioned a tenth-rate building firm to do some work on the hotel. She wallops him half to death with a tree branch. My wife and I turned to one another and she said, "Do you know what this reminds me of?" "Yes. Us!" A defining moment in our marriage. Well done the line for getting to PR. We'll see you again in the not too distant future.
That was wonderful - thank you for all your hard work you put into making this video. How sad that so little is left of the line between Chinor and Watlington. That wonderful old delapidated building of Watlington Station looks very forlorn. I don't think it will be long until it disappears forever.
The remains of Watlington Station were demolished a while ago. The undergrowth has been partly cleared, and only the chimney stack remains. Incidentally, when filming the remains of Watlington from the platform side, did you have permission to be there (I think it's part of Pyrton Farm), or was a trespass necessary?
A superb video of a superb heritage railway. And the PRNB at PR is magnificent. Ok, I'm biased, being an active volunteer. But that doesn't stop it being true. Simon Thorpe
The music and your commentary caught the mood of sadness very well. One point that might be missed is that, had such branch lines in the South East of England still been in operation, the pressure on development would be considerable and some of those fields might now be housing estates!
Very kind of you to say so, thank you. The point you raise is a good one and something I've mentioned in a number of my other films: these fields would surely be sprawling new build estates if the railway had endured... So it is very much a double edged sword!
@@RediscoveringLostRailways One thing about railway-led development (where it happens) is that you get clusters of activity around stations - road development however leads to 'corridors' and urban sprawl. Sad to see Watlington station now demolished - I photographed it 10 years ago approx and it struck me then as a wonderful piece of very unique railway architecture. The centre of Watlington today (still a tiny place) suffers from much vehicle air pollution - something that could perhaps have been prevented if the line had continued to Wallingford and with a more convenient station for the town.
I remember travelling on the Risborough to Thame line in the 1950s. These lines were Broad gauge when originally built and amazing how they converted to standard gauge in just one week! Very enjoyable video, thanks😊
I have to say Sir that of all the disused railway exploring channels yours is by far the best, narration, music and content. My only negative....... Have to wait ages for each film.
That's so kind of you to say so, thank you. As for the wait? I know, my job makes it difficult for me to get out and about as much as I would like so I have to space my uploads out in this way. Glad you can see past this though!
Another line whose promotors' ambition far exceeded financial reality. Thank you for sharing this with us. Hope the heritage railway now operating on part of this line succeeds in restoring more of this lost route.
Excellent once again, as usual a real pleasure to watch.👏 One observes that not only has the railway gone but also a time when the pace of life was much slower and unhurried compared with how it is today.
It's extremely rare for me to Like a video before I've even watched it. But I just knew this was would be excellent. The RVW music is almost heartbreakingly apt. I knew nothing of the Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway, but now it is firmly on my list to visit.
@@RediscoveringLostRailways It's a strange piece. A brief reference in the clarinet to what would become the incidental music to 'The Wasps'. It's the essence of RVW on the brink of discovering folksong.
Another superb video - thank you! Hopefully the existing railway group can get back to Aston Rowant, a station that used to have a goods shed and sidings. That would make an excellent terminus, being so close to the M40 Junction 6, and offer more opportunities for a carriage and wagon works than the cramped site at Chinnor. Does one dare to dream that with government "net zero" carbon ambitions, there might one day be a tunnel under the M40 and services restored to Watlington? Ok - it's not likely, but the Wilts and Berks Canal project is going to get a tunnel under the M4 at Swindon, so rule nothing out!
I just love this series. It’s a shame in some ways that you chose not to let us know who you are, but that has to be respected. Thanks 🙏 anyway, much appreciated. 🚴♂️🚂👣🇺🇦
Really glad you enjoy the films, thank you. I have the occasional cameo appearance, but anonymity has been the best decision for me and I guess it makes my channel slightly different from the many 'man with a camera going to explore' videos out there. Working on my next film now, so do stay tuned!
Brilliantly put together video, such a shame lines like these were torn apart and left for dead but without that we may not have had the incredible railway preservation movement that we have today. Every cloud as they say.
While I agree reopening the whole line would be fantastic, unfortunately I don't think you'll be able to get beyond Aston Rowant as the M40 has sliced through the final couple of miles 😢
@@ianhosier4042 There is one for the Icknield Way, which is a similar/parallel alignment, but alas I fear not. As the Section there (through the Lewknor/Stokenchurch Cutting) opened in the late 60's. The March of progress or something...
@@ianhosier4042 I am sure if the heritage railway had the funds and the will - they could have paid the contractors to put a bridge in. Here lies the problem - who’s responsibility is it and who funds it ?
I'm so glad this video has come back into view recently (Nov 2023). To my shame, I must have missed it the first time round. It really is good to see all the praise for your filming and commentary, which is wholly deserved. I found the whole video to be quite moving. As Facebook Manager for Chinnor Railway, I will re-post it (but probably after the Christmas season) because a lot of our visitors ask questions about the history of the Railway and this is a superb answer! Thank you on behalf of the Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway.
Wow! I hadn't realised that the railway had now been extended to its own platform at Princes Risborough. When I last lived in that area, about 10 years ago, the line still finished somewhere near the junction of the Watlington and Thame branches, and trains did a there-and-back without passengers being able to get on/off at PR. I can remember the line in its final days of serving the cement works, and I can remember when the Thame line still had track and the oil trains to Thame still ran - before the Thame line became the Phoenix Trail.
Thank you for this piece, this is very local to us and it has me wanting to visit those parts that I haven't yet explored. I have travelled on the Princes Risborough to Chinnor section through the rolling countryside, the Vaughan Williams music is such a perfect accompaniment.
Another great little video to wet the appetite of us railway enthusiasts. What a delightful branch line that must have been. May I suggest you come south to trace the line of the old Brockenhurst to Bournemouth line which ran through the New Forest via Holmsley, Ringwood, Ashley Heath, West Moors, Wimbourne and Broadstone before reaching Bournemouth. It was in fact the main line to Bournemouth before the present more direct route was constructed. After that all tickets to stations beyond Brockenhurst were duly marked 'via Sway" the first station after Brockenhurst to indicate which route the train would follow.
Poignancy combined with a positive outlook for at least some of this little railway branch: as usual, your narrative succinctly and sympathetically takes us on an emotional journey through lovely countryside. Thank you for another excellently edited video.
A great video of a wonderful railway. The reconstructed station at Chinor is a masterpiece, contrasting with the decrepit state of the Watlington terminus. How on earth was this station allowed to deteriorate to this extent? Thanks for sharing a terrific video!
Thank you for this incredible video, its truly superb!! I know this lovely little railway, and to a slightly lesser extent the Thame Branch, after moving to Chinnor in the summer of 1969 ..... spent hours and hours and hours there, in the school summer holidays, it was ( and still is ) a truly magical place for me. My absolute LOVE of the Hymek Class 35 Diesel Hydraulic's comes directly from living in Chinnor, along the Oakley Road, and could alway hear the coal train being shunted, especially if it was a gorgeous growling Hymek ..... Thank you yet again R.L.R for this wonderful video and the trip down memory line.
Thank your for sharing those wonderfully evocative memories - I'm so glad you enjoyed this film. I wish I had grown up in a time when such great locomotives were prowling the network!
@@RediscoveringLostRailways Thank you again, and Thank you for your reply. Yes, in the time I grew up in 1970 onwards, the British Rail had some absolutely awesome traction etc ..... so sad that now the majority is only available to be seen and heard ( Thankfully ) on private heritage railways around the UK!!
I almost missed this one! Great film as always. I'm never disappointed by this channel. I'm always interested by old railways. I'm glad to see various lines being looked at for revival, an example is the Ivanhoe line in Leicester which is currently just a freight line.
Another superb video! I only just found it as the bell icon doesn't work I'm afraid. This will be the best thing I've watched all day, guaranteed, many thanks! Mike
Thank you for making this wondrous and insightful little film. Thoroughly enjoyed. I wonder if you discovered the remains of the road bridge at Aston Rowant in the undergrowth?
So nice to see the heritage section of the line looking splendid...even the little halts where trains no longer stop. With so much interest in former branch lines, wouldn't it be nice if the heritage line went the full distance. Vaughan William's Romance is one of my (newer) favourites, and as with so much of his music, it was perfect for one of your presentations. Keep up the great work!
I was a frequent traveller along the B4009 about 20 years ago - a cross-country route to avoid the worst of the M25. I noticed various pieces of railway engineering in places, but never realised there was a trackbed running alongside so much of it. Thank you for this exploration.
My pleasure - and glad to have helped join some of the dots! Do consider subscribing if you've not already done so and enjoy my other films in the series :)
As a person who lives in Watlington, I often walk past the crumbling station, but I’d thought it had been closed to the public. So cool to see its mysterious ruin at last :)
@@RediscoveringLostRailways I am happy to confirm that the station is still there and not demolished. Whilst I think it would be easy to do, its somewhat of an urban legend in Watlington, so I think people would be angry if it were demolished.
Thank you, have just subscribed. Did the line to the cement works, and the one to Thame, many years ago on one of Mr. Farrow’s railtours. John actually laid a few concrete slabs on the old platform at Thame so that passengers could get off there. Some years ago Chiltern proposed to re-open the line via Thame to Oxford, but found that it was too difficult and opted to reach Oxford via the new urge at Bicester instead. At one time I used to take the Oxford Tube bus quite frequently, but haven’t used it for several years. It used to turn just off the motorway near Aston Rowant but I could not see why. There was nothing there, and nobody ever got on or off there. One day I was coming back to London mid afternoon and at the stop just outside Headington School a large group of girls from the school got on. They all got off at the stop by the motorway, presumably for parents to pick them up by car from there.
Thank you indeed for your subscription - do rummage around my channel and see what you can see. And thank you for your memories of the lines thereabouts - always illuminating to learn such things!
Back in 1971 along with a friend I cycled to Watlington station- which was some way beyond the town and on the way back we cycled to the remains of Wallingford station. We then cycled to Pangbourne where we got a train to Reading station. On the platform at Pangbourne there was some kind of storage room and the door was open and on the wall was an old map of the Great Western Railway system. Watlington station was intact although derelict- a tiny building- it is sad to see its remains.
We also visited the Chiltern Queens bus garage at Woodcote and enquired if the Tilling Stevens single decker bus was there and we were told it had gone to a scrapyard in Benson. We weren't going to go there- so we headed to Watlington and I will always remember cycling down the hill into Watlington on my friend's sister's small wheeled Raleigh RSW 16- I have never been so fast on a bike since that day!
A wonderful video, and so atmospheric with your marvellously descriptive commentary. Thank you for sharing this beautiful part of England with us. A touch of sadness with that gorgeous music too. Cheers!
EPIC, EPIC, EPIC!!! What a pleasure to have followed this presentation accompanied by google maps on my other monitor. Many thanks for your continued hard work in bringing us these gems :-)
Having twice live in Watlington, this branch line, had it remained up to Watlington would now do very well. There is strong demand for the express bus service from Lewknor and innumerable 100s a day commute by car towards Wycombe and London.
Beautiful. I happened to drive through Watlington recently and noticed Station Road in the middle of the countryside. Couldn’t resist having a look. Thanks for the video
Wow - yet another masterpiece! Just when I think the films couldn't get any better, along comes this gem! Going to have to sort out a free day to watch them all again, for the information in them is simply brilliant! Please, please keep up the good work! 😃👍
Thank you Andy. You'll be pleased to know I was making a new film earlier this week, I've got to finish making another and I have a further one planned in the weeks ahead. Thank you for supporting my channel 🙂
Rest in peace to All the branch line who didn't make it into presentation you will always have a place in my heart and when I walk the down the Old line I wil stop and take a minute in silence to remember the glory days of steam
Thank you for a lovely and sympathetic film about the GWR Watlington branch. We (I speak as a volunteer) are very proud of our railway. If I might add a couple of footnotes, firstly "Staff and Volunteers": all the staff at the Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway are volunteers and all the volunteers are staff, we have no paid people. Secondly, it was the failure of the Wallingford and Watlington Railway to actually get further than Wallingford in 1866 that spurred the burghers of Watlington to develop their own railway north to Princes Risborough to join the Wycombe Railway in 1872. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wallingford_railway_branch_line
If you haven't already, may I suggest doing some videos on the Fairford Branch, and some of the lost lines on the Isle Of Wight? Sandown to Newport is largely intact as a cycle path.
My friend your message is timely as I'm at this moment editing my film of the Fairford branch which I shot a couple of weeks ago. I'm doing the IoW in 2022! So do ensure you're subscribed so you miss neither! Best wishes 🙂
That's so kind of you - thank you! Please have a rummage around my films. More recent ones have been narrated - earlier ones just had musical accompaniment. Let me know what you think. And you're absolutely right - I do enjoy making them very much!
Absolutely brilliant film such lovely architecture on these older lines shame we have lost the need for pretty buildings and now it’s practical concrete instead.
They have done a great job restoring the line to Chinnor. I must make a visit some time. Many years ago, I spent a day walking around Aston Rowant and Lewknor. Lovely countryside, but I can't remember seeing any trace of the old railway. It's a pity that the Watlington station building is a ruin. It woukd be nice if it could be rebuilt, even if it is not possible to extend the line that far.
They've done fine work for sure. You're absolutely right, there's some fine countryside and, as you see, at least a few traces of the old line hiding away!
It is surprising just what an important little junction Princess Risborough once was. As well as what is the mainline to Birmingham via Banbury, and the single track line to Aylesbury (how has that survived?), and the now closed line to Oxford, there was that branch to Watlington.
It was recently brought to my attention that on "grouping" in 1923, the GWR remained as it was because its tentacles already reached such far flung places as Chinnor and Aston Rowant.
Fantastic Video, just like yours previously. Love the way its filmed and the music, create a great atmosphere. Always a pleasure to watch your videos! I need to get down to Chinnor at some point, looks like a lovely railway.
Yes, make your way there when you can, it is wonderful. The day I filmed the fireman didn't turn up so I couldn't get a steam engine clanking through the picture! Really glad you enjoyed the film 🙂
@@RediscoveringLostRailways Ah, that's happened before when I was due to be guard at my local heritage railway (Telford Steam Railway), always preferred to be there when a steam loco was rostered but then the Ruston got put on instead meaning that I missed out on my bacon sandwich that day! Look forward seeing which line you do next.
Excellent video and hope to visit one day! Shame about the overgrown track bed but maybe something could be done to extend the heritage railway. Nice presentation and I reckon you have done a really good job. I have decided to subscribe.
I was an overseas member of the society for years, thank you for this video but so sad to see Watlington now. THe dream was to go to Ashton Rowant but its impossible now
Sir your work is most excellent and never fails to deliver quality pieces of art. This is because it's so much more than a video 👏🏻 All the very best 🤗🍻👍🏻
You've probably received an ubbundance of comment saying well done on this mini documentary, but it really can not be stressed enough! As a volunteer, there is definitely some bias but it's always nice having our line in the spotlight. Thanks again!
That's so kind of you to say so - such a fine railway for which you volunteer - I really hope the CPRR makes it all the way to Aston Rowant! Do share the film far and wide, it would be much appreciated 🙂
@@RediscoveringLostRailways Don’t mention it! I’ve shared this on Twitter, I would’ve put it in the railway Facebook group but it looks like someone has beaten me to it. Keep up the good work!
I wish that I could stop looking at these videos! Rode thrm all as a very young lad, and the nostalgia is now saddening - a cheese sandwich for lunch and cold tea in one of Grandad's dead whisky bottles: the cuisine was not very 'haut', but then - in 1949, we had no money to spend.
they really did put a lot of effort into maintain that part of the line... no matter how small it may seem.... also the rest of the trackbed hasnt really been marred by modern things that much has it
A great video thanks... and very close to where I live so I know it well (although I have yet to ride on the Chinnor Train!). The start is very close to the Phoenix Way, which is a disused railway line to Thame, and I think is what you have labelled as the Wycombe Railway at the start of this film. It would be great to see a video of that line one day - there is a fair bit of existing railway furniture left (track, building and platform).
I'm a volunteer at the railway and form part of the team that is restoring the signal box at Princes Risborough. The reason that the line between Princes Risborough and Chinnor survived was because it served the cement works at Chinnor which closed in 2000. Thank you for a wonderful video.
I'm so glad it did - and great work with the ongoing restoration efforts! Always good to have the approval of an insider!
@@RediscoveringLostRailways The line from Princes Risborough to Chinnor closed on the 20th December 1989 (which was also my 16th birthday!) when it ran the last coal train to Chinnor Works. I have a copy of the video that was made of the last train to Chinnor.
Interestingly, one of only a handful of vintage railways here in New Zealand, the Glenbrook Vintage Railway, only survived being uplifted because it shares all but 2 miles with the frieght line that service our largest, exporting steel mill.
One of my Dad's cousins used to live in Chinnor and worked at the cement works for years. He died some years ago, not long after he had retired, of lung disease.
@@simonpurbrick any chance of posting the video to YT? Would love to see it!
I lived in Chinnor until I was ten years old in 1948 and knew the Chinnor railway well. You are doing great work in keeping it open, all my earliest and fondest memories are of the village and of the railway. Thank you very much
Thank you very much! Amazing to think you knew the railway throughout your life and how different it must look now - glad you enjoyed the film!
Nice video! I'm a life member of the railway. The rebuilt Chinnor station building was only possible, thanks to the old Watlington station building which in the 1990s was just standing! The land is very private and the railway had to get permission to study and take photos of the building to ensure plans to be made to rebuild Chinnor station. The landowner is not keen in people visiting his land. There are long term plans to expend the line to Aston Rowant.
Thank you - glad you enjoyed the film and pleased to get the approval of an insider. Chinnor railway station is stunning and a credit to the volunteers.
A name I know, Was going through some comments. You wrote on one of mine?. Done this Watlington and Aston Rowant. In a railway playlist. Now will think and annoy me all night, what have you wrote on :) Mised the tarmac at Aston Rowant. Thought a platform as on a old 1940's film, linked in my words. Now think I got the biildings the wrong side, found something anyway. Farmer knock down one of the buildings, roof on the floor. I got to it through bushes, fun that was.
So well filmed. Emotion, frustration, and as already expressed, sadness. Many people who knew and experienced the days of this bucolic mode of transport are becoming fewer.Thank goodness for those whose dedication and passion that are prepared to do something about it. From current reports in the media it seems at last there may be a revival of interest attracting funding from various directions to help with those that until now, have been the comparatively dedicated few. John Betjeman would be delighted.
Thanks Bob - and I agree with all you say!
Yes, your filming and comments are first class. I am 66years old now and spent my working life on the railways and i was 15 when i started work on British Rail. I worked in many different departments such as signalling, shunting, station duties, lamp man duties and many more over the years. So for me it is so sad to see branch lines being ripped up at the same time as our roads are getting more and more congested, Beaching and Marpels have a lot to answer for. I look forward to your next video, very interesting and very informative and very professional.
hear hear
hear hear
What a beautifully made documentary.... I always have visions of the old branch lines with the old steam engines clanking away through the countryside of England's Green And Pleasant Land from a bygone era.... Wonderful!!!
Really glad you enjoyed the film, thanks so much for saying so!
The ruins of Wallington station just scream out to be restored. Thanks for this, great research and details as usual.
They're in a sorry state for sure - thanks for your kind words about my film 🙂
Yes they do, even if it's just a repair job so it does not get any worse, just like old castles etc....
The ruins have been demolished. This was done at least two years ago. Only the chimney stack remains, which you can see from the main road between Watlington and Shirburn. Possibly the landowner got fed up of people trespassing onto the site.
Many thanks not just for retracing the branch line but also for the poignant narration and music. How refreshing to find a classical music backdrop rather than some trash from Radio 1. My long-suffering wife and I visited the railway some twenty years ago. It was the archetypal British bank holiday. We went up the line for about twenty minutes, stopped, had to remain in the carriage as the line did not go as far as Princes Risborough and then went back to Chinnor. Before we had a cup of tea and went home. Actually, one of the volunteers must have thought I looked very distinguished and affluent as he gave me a guided tour of the sidings and described what needed to be carried out, ie, funded. My wife and I departed, and then watched the episode of Fawlty Towers where Sybil discovers that Basil has commissioned a tenth-rate building firm to do some work on the hotel. She wallops him half to death with a tree branch. My wife and I turned to one another and she said, "Do you know what this reminds me of?" "Yes. Us!" A defining moment in our marriage. Well done the line for getting to PR. We'll see you again in the not too distant future.
😂 Wonderful memories - and thank you for your kind words about my film!
That was wonderful - thank you for all your hard work you put into making this video. How sad that so little is left of the line between Chinor and Watlington. That wonderful old delapidated building of Watlington Station looks very forlorn. I don't think it will be long until it disappears forever.
Thank you very much! Yes, Watlington station looks ready to collapse - a real shame.
The remains of Watlington Station were demolished a while ago. The undergrowth has been partly cleared, and only the chimney stack remains.
Incidentally, when filming the remains of Watlington from the platform side, did you have permission to be there (I think it's part of Pyrton Farm), or was a trespass necessary?
@@smhorse Sorry to hear it has been demolished!
A superb video of a superb heritage railway. And the PRNB at PR is magnificent. Ok, I'm biased, being an active volunteer. But that doesn't stop it being true. Simon Thorpe
It is a very fine railway, both objectively and subjectively! Thanks very much indeed!
The music and your commentary caught the mood of sadness very well. One point that might be missed is that, had such branch lines in the South East of England still been in operation, the pressure on development would be considerable and some of those fields might now be housing estates!
Very kind of you to say so, thank you. The point you raise is a good one and something I've mentioned in a number of my other films: these fields would surely be sprawling new build estates if the railway had endured... So it is very much a double edged sword!
@@RediscoveringLostRailways One thing about railway-led development (where it happens) is that you get clusters of activity around stations - road development however leads to 'corridors' and urban sprawl. Sad to see Watlington station now demolished - I photographed it 10 years ago approx and it struck me then as a wonderful piece of very unique railway architecture. The centre of Watlington today (still a tiny place) suffers from much vehicle air pollution - something that could perhaps have been prevented if the line had continued to Wallingford and with a more convenient station for the town.
I remember travelling on the Risborough to Thame line in the 1950s. These lines were Broad gauge when originally built and amazing how they converted to standard gauge in just one week! Very enjoyable video, thanks😊
Thanks for the info - I didn't know it was done so quickly! Really glad you enjoyed the film.
@@RediscoveringLostRailways I think the G W main line was done in a weekend, thousands of navvies !!🤔
I have to say Sir that of all the disused railway exploring channels yours is by far the best, narration, music and content. My only negative....... Have to wait ages for each film.
That's so kind of you to say so, thank you. As for the wait? I know, my job makes it difficult for me to get out and about as much as I would like so I have to space my uploads out in this way. Glad you can see past this though!
Another line whose promotors' ambition far exceeded financial reality.
Thank you for sharing this with us. Hope the heritage railway now operating on part of this line succeeds in restoring more of this lost route.
Agreed on all counts - many thanks for your comment!
Excellent once again, as usual a real pleasure to watch.👏
One observes that not only has the railway gone but also a time when the pace of life was much slower and unhurried compared with how it is today.
Yes, that seems to be the most significant change I feel!
hear hear
It's extremely rare for me to Like a video before I've even watched it. But I just knew this was would be excellent. The RVW music is almost heartbreakingly apt. I knew nothing of the Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway, but now it is firmly on my list to visit.
So kind of you to say so, Chris. The RVW has become one of my very favourites - it seemed most appropriate on this occasion.
@@RediscoveringLostRailways It's a strange piece. A brief reference in the clarinet to what would become the incidental music to 'The Wasps'. It's the essence of RVW on the brink of discovering folksong.
Another superb video - thank you!
Hopefully the existing railway group can get back to Aston Rowant, a station that used to have a goods shed and sidings. That would make an excellent terminus, being so close to the M40 Junction 6, and offer more opportunities for a carriage and wagon works than the cramped site at Chinnor.
Does one dare to dream that with government "net zero" carbon ambitions, there might one day be a tunnel under the M40 and services restored to Watlington? Ok - it's not likely, but the Wilts and Berks Canal project is going to get a tunnel under the M4 at Swindon, so rule nothing out!
It would be great if the railway could reach Aston Rowant for the reasons you suggest - fingers crossed!
I’d say if we’re going to dream, we can dare to dream that the line may one day be extended even farther, to connect to Wallingford!
I just love this series. It’s a shame in some ways that you chose not to let us know who you are, but that has to be respected. Thanks 🙏 anyway, much appreciated. 🚴♂️🚂👣🇺🇦
Really glad you enjoy the films, thank you. I have the occasional cameo appearance, but anonymity has been the best decision for me and I guess it makes my channel slightly different from the many 'man with a camera going to explore' videos out there. Working on my next film now, so do stay tuned!
Brilliantly put together video, such a shame lines like these were torn apart and left for dead but without that we may not have had the incredible railway preservation movement that we have today. Every cloud as they say.
Yes, agreed on all counts. Thank you very much indeed!
Looks like the trackbed is largely intact so I hope one day the heritage railway can buy the entire route
Wouldn't that be wonderful!
While I agree reopening the whole line would be fantastic, unfortunately I don't think you'll be able to get beyond Aston Rowant as the M40 has sliced through the final couple of miles 😢
@@tobyrosoman7438 I guess the idiots that stuck the road there didn't think about putting a bridge in
@@ianhosier4042 There is one for the Icknield Way, which is a similar/parallel alignment, but alas I fear not. As the Section there (through the Lewknor/Stokenchurch Cutting) opened in the late 60's. The March of progress or something...
@@ianhosier4042 I am sure if the heritage railway had the funds and the will - they could have paid the contractors to put a bridge in. Here lies the problem - who’s responsibility is it and who funds it ?
Good to see you back - and reverting to the right and suitable music.
Thank you - and yes, I fine piece by RVW on this occasion!
A rural gem, beautifully filmed and narrated. How nice it would be, if, against all the odds, it could be reopened along its full length.
That would be wonderful! Thank you so much!
Another excellent film, thank you. I particularly like your use of the old 1" to 1 mile OS maps, undoubtedly the finest mapping in the world.
Many thanks!
Well done on another brilliant film on now and then. Keep up the the good work. We appreciate what you do. 👍👍👍👍
Very kind of you to say so - and I will!
I'm so glad this video has come back into view recently (Nov 2023). To my shame, I must have missed it the first time round. It really is good to see all the praise for your filming and commentary, which is wholly deserved. I found the whole video to be quite moving. As Facebook Manager for Chinnor Railway, I will re-post it (but probably after the Christmas season) because a lot of our visitors ask questions about the history of the Railway and this is a superb answer! Thank you on behalf of the Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway.
Thank you indeed for your kind words and support 🙏
Another superb documentary. Thank you. It is a pleasure to listen to your intelligent, measured commentary.
Very kind of you to say so, thank you. I used to not narrate my films, but I think I've found my voice and will do so henceforth!
Wow! I hadn't realised that the railway had now been extended to its own platform at Princes Risborough. When I last lived in that area, about 10 years ago, the line still finished somewhere near the junction of the Watlington and Thame branches, and trains did a there-and-back without passengers being able to get on/off at PR.
I can remember the line in its final days of serving the cement works, and I can remember when the Thame line still had track and the oil trains to Thame still ran - before the Thame line became the Phoenix Trail.
Wonderful memories - thanks for sharing! It really is great that it is connected to a station on the network!
Thank you for this piece, this is very local to us and it has me wanting to visit those parts that I haven't yet explored. I have travelled on the Princes Risborough to Chinnor section through the rolling countryside, the Vaughan Williams music is such a perfect accompaniment.
You're very welcome! And I strongly recommend exploring these lost worlds if opportunity knocks. The piece by RVW may be my new favourite of his!
Another great little video to wet the appetite of us railway enthusiasts. What a delightful branch line that must have been. May I suggest you come south to trace the line of the old Brockenhurst to Bournemouth line which ran through the New Forest via Holmsley, Ringwood, Ashley Heath, West Moors, Wimbourne and Broadstone before reaching Bournemouth. It was in fact the main line to Bournemouth before the present more direct route was constructed. After that all tickets to stations beyond Brockenhurst were duly marked 'via Sway" the first station after Brockenhurst to indicate which route the train would follow.
So glad you enjoyed the film, thank you. And that sounds like a very fine recommendation to look into!
This video is amazing, thank you for making it, I love the Chinnor and Princess Risborough railway.
I'm so pleased that you enjoyed the film, do subscribe if you've not already done so and enjoy my other films in the series 🙂
Another wonderful film, once again- and lovely choice of music too!. Many thanks
Many thanks indeed - really glad you enjoyed the film! 🙂
You have inspired me to visit this heritage railway in the spring.
Well worth the trip!
That's a fine, evocative video. It perhaps illustrates the Britishness of branch lines such as this.
Very kind of you to say so, thank you 🙂
Poignancy combined with a positive outlook for at least some of this little railway branch: as usual, your narrative succinctly and sympathetically takes us on an emotional journey through lovely countryside. Thank you for another excellently edited video.
Really grateful for the kind words about my film. I'm so glad you enjoyed it 🙂
A great video of a wonderful railway. The reconstructed station at Chinor is a masterpiece, contrasting with the decrepit state of the Watlington terminus. How on earth was this station allowed to deteriorate to this extent? Thanks for sharing a terrific video!
Thank you very much indeed. Do subscribe if you've not already done so and enjoy my other films in the series!
Thank you for this incredible video, its truly superb!! I know this lovely little railway, and to a slightly lesser extent the Thame Branch, after moving to Chinnor in the summer of 1969 ..... spent hours and hours and hours there, in the school summer holidays, it was ( and still is ) a truly magical place for me. My absolute LOVE of the Hymek Class 35 Diesel Hydraulic's comes directly from living in Chinnor, along the Oakley Road, and could alway hear the coal train being shunted, especially if it was a gorgeous growling Hymek ..... Thank you yet again R.L.R for this wonderful video and the trip down memory line.
Thank your for sharing those wonderfully evocative memories - I'm so glad you enjoyed this film. I wish I had grown up in a time when such great locomotives were prowling the network!
@@RediscoveringLostRailways Thank you again, and Thank you for your reply. Yes, in the time I grew up in 1970 onwards, the British Rail had some absolutely awesome traction etc ..... so sad that now the majority is only available to be seen and heard ( Thankfully ) on private heritage railways around the UK!!
I almost missed this one! Great film as always. I'm never disappointed by this channel. I'm always interested by old railways. I'm glad to see various lines being looked at for revival, an example is the Ivanhoe line in Leicester which is currently just a freight line.
Let's hope this reopening of railways bears fruit! So glad you enjoyed the film 🙂
Another superb video! I only just found it as the bell icon doesn't work I'm afraid. This will be the best thing I've watched all day, guaranteed, many thanks! Mike
So kind of you Mike - I'm really glad you found the film!
Consider this just another well-deserved compliment to your work. Beautiful!
Very kind of you to say so, thank you 🙂
Thank you for making this wondrous and insightful little film. Thoroughly enjoyed. I wonder if you discovered the remains of the road bridge at Aston Rowant in the undergrowth?
I'm so glad you enjoyed the film Ben. Alas, I couldn't find anything - it's possible I could've missed it, of course!
So nice to see the heritage section of the line looking splendid...even the little halts where trains no longer stop. With so much interest in former branch lines, wouldn't it be nice if the heritage line went the full distance. Vaughan William's Romance is one of my (newer) favourites, and as with so much of his music, it was perfect for one of your presentations. Keep up the great work!
They harbour ambitions to reach Aston Rowant - fingers crossed! The RVW piece was a recent discovery for me - definitely one of my favourites!
I was a frequent traveller along the B4009 about 20 years ago - a cross-country route to avoid the worst of the M25. I noticed various pieces of railway engineering in places, but never realised there was a trackbed running alongside so much of it. Thank you for this exploration.
My pleasure - and glad to have helped join some of the dots! Do consider subscribing if you've not already done so and enjoy my other films in the series :)
Very nice and sad video. Beautiful document. Chinnor is of outstanding beauty. Thanks for sharing. 🚂
My pleasure - do pay it a visit if you ever have the chance!
Please SUBSCRIBE, SHARE and LIKE this film! Might you consider supporting my channel even more? www.buymeacoffee.com/rediscovering
As a person who lives in Watlington, I often walk past the crumbling station, but I’d thought it had been closed to the public. So cool to see its mysterious ruin at last :)
I heard that the station was recently demolished - could you verify this?
@@RediscoveringLostRailways I'll definitely have a check, I don't know where to enter to see it though.
@@RediscoveringLostRailways I am happy to confirm that the station is still there and not demolished. Whilst I think it would be easy to do, its somewhat of an urban legend in Watlington, so I think people would be angry if it were demolished.
Very well done. A pleasure to see even though it's mostly gone. The preserved railway section is beautiful a real credit to its volunteers to be sure!
Thank you ever so much! Do subscribe if you've not already done so and enjoy my other films in the series 🙂
Great video, really well presented and very well filmed. Thanks.
My pleasure - very kind of you to say so!
Thank you, have just subscribed.
Did the line to the cement works, and the one to Thame, many years ago on one of Mr. Farrow’s railtours. John actually laid a few concrete slabs on the old platform at Thame so that passengers could get off there.
Some years ago Chiltern proposed to re-open the line via Thame to Oxford, but found that it was too difficult and opted to reach Oxford via the new urge at Bicester instead.
At one time I used to take the Oxford Tube bus quite frequently, but haven’t used it for several years. It used to turn just off the motorway near Aston Rowant but I could not see why. There was nothing there, and nobody ever got on or off there. One day I was coming back to London mid afternoon and at the stop just outside Headington School a large group of girls from the school got on. They all got off at the stop by the motorway, presumably for parents to pick them up by car from there.
Thank you indeed for your subscription - do rummage around my channel and see what you can see. And thank you for your memories of the lines thereabouts - always illuminating to learn such things!
Vaughan Williams! Thank you for this.
My pleasure - I'd not heard this piece before putting this film together and it has quickly become a favourite!
@@RediscoveringLostRailways It is a perfect match for the mood of your (excellent) film.
Back in 1971 along with a friend I cycled to Watlington station- which was some way beyond the town and on the way back we cycled to the remains of Wallingford station. We then cycled to Pangbourne where we got a train to Reading station. On the platform at Pangbourne there was some kind of storage room and the door was open and on the wall was an old map of the Great Western Railway system. Watlington station was intact although derelict- a tiny building- it is sad to see its remains.
Wonderful memories - thank you for sharing them!
We also visited the Chiltern Queens bus garage at Woodcote and enquired if the Tilling Stevens single decker bus was there and we were told it had gone to a scrapyard in Benson. We weren't going to go there- so we headed to Watlington and I will always remember cycling down the hill into Watlington on my friend's sister's small wheeled Raleigh RSW 16- I have never been so fast on a bike since that day!
Excellent, as always.
Many thanks.
My pleasure, thank you 🙂
A wonderful video, and so atmospheric with your marvellously descriptive commentary. Thank you for sharing this beautiful part of England with us. A touch of sadness with that gorgeous music too. Cheers!
Really kind of you to say so, thank you. Such a delight to make these films and find that they are enjoyed by others.
Wonderful video - thank you for exploring and rediscovering the lost branch lines. Cheers, Brian
My pleasure, thank you 🙂
the best lost railways series I've found.
Thank you 🙏 Do subscribe if you've not already done so and enjoy all the more!
Thank you very much for these videos.
It's my pleasure to make these films, so glad you enjoyed it!
Another great video . Thankyou 👍
Very kind of you to say so, thank you 🙂
Having just watched the video to come out after this, I have to say I love these movies! :)
I'm so glad you enjoyed the film - do subscribe if you've not already done so and enjoy my other films in the series 🙂
Excellent and sad 😞
Many thanks indeed!
EPIC, EPIC, EPIC!!! What a pleasure to have followed this presentation accompanied by google maps on my other monitor. Many thanks for your continued hard work in bringing us these gems :-)
I'm always delighted to get the approval of a long-term subscriber - so glad you enjoyed the film!
Excellent!! So professionally filmed and edited. Look forward to the next one.
Most kind - more to come!
Having twice live in Watlington, this branch line, had it remained up to Watlington would now do very well. There is strong demand for the express bus service from Lewknor and innumerable 100s a day commute by car towards Wycombe and London.
I think this is true or many such lines. Thanks very much for your thoughts and comment 👍
Beautiful. I happened to drive through Watlington recently and noticed Station Road in the middle of the countryside. Couldn’t resist having a look. Thanks for the video
Thank you! Yes, if the instinct to explore grips you - seize it back!
I always look forward to these. Excellent production, Vaughan Williams music fits it like a glove.
I chanced upon the Vaughan Williams and it has immediately become one of my favourite pieces. So glad the film didn't disappoint!
Brilliant as always,
great work
Most kind - thank you 🙂
Wonderful, delightful and informative. Professionally presented as always. Thank you
Thank you kindly! So nice of you to say so!
Wow - yet another masterpiece! Just when I think the films couldn't get any better, along comes this gem! Going to have to sort out a free day to watch them all again, for the information in them is simply brilliant! Please, please keep up the good work! 😃👍
Thank you Andy. You'll be pleased to know I was making a new film earlier this week, I've got to finish making another and I have a further one planned in the weeks ahead. Thank you for supporting my channel 🙂
Again, another brilliantly produced and narrated film. Thank you so much.
So kind of you to say so, thank you!
Rest in peace to All the branch line who didn't make it into presentation you will always have a place in my heart and when I walk the down the Old line I wil stop and take a minute in silence to remember the glory days of steam
Lovely thoughts!
Thank you for another wonderful journey.
My pleasure, thank you 🙂
Thank you for a lovely and sympathetic film about the GWR Watlington branch. We (I speak as a volunteer) are very proud of our railway. If I might add a couple of footnotes, firstly "Staff and Volunteers": all the staff at the Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway are volunteers and all the volunteers are staff, we have no paid people. Secondly, it was the failure of the Wallingford and Watlington Railway to actually get further than Wallingford in 1866 that spurred the burghers of Watlington to develop their own railway north to Princes Risborough to join the Wycombe Railway in 1872. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wallingford_railway_branch_line
Thanks for the correction - really glad you enjoyed the film!
As always, a lovely film. Thank you
Many thanks!
Another excellently filmed and narrated video. Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it - thank you for those kind words!
Beautiful video, greetings from Italy :-)
Very kind thank you - you live in a beautiful country!
Wonderfully nostalgic video, thanks
My pleasure, thank you 🙂
Perfect as usual
Very kind of you to say so, thank you 🙂
If you haven't already, may I suggest doing some videos on the Fairford Branch, and some of the lost lines on the Isle Of Wight? Sandown to Newport is largely intact as a cycle path.
My friend your message is timely as I'm at this moment editing my film of the Fairford branch which I shot a couple of weeks ago. I'm doing the IoW in 2022! So do ensure you're subscribed so you miss neither! Best wishes 🙂
Excellent video all round - I'm subscribed! I sense that you get as much enjoyment making it as we do by watching it.
That's so kind of you - thank you! Please have a rummage around my films. More recent ones have been narrated - earlier ones just had musical accompaniment. Let me know what you think. And you're absolutely right - I do enjoy making them very much!
Absolutely brilliant film such lovely architecture on these older lines shame we have lost the need for pretty buildings and now it’s practical concrete instead.
Agreed - soulless, clinical and functional are just three words to describe recent trends in station building!
As usual , a great video. Well produced.
Most kind, thank you!
They have done a great job restoring the line to Chinnor. I must make a visit some time.
Many years ago, I spent a day walking around Aston Rowant and Lewknor. Lovely countryside, but I can't remember seeing any trace of the old railway.
It's a pity that the Watlington station building is a ruin. It woukd be nice if it could be rebuilt, even if it is not possible to extend the line that far.
They've done fine work for sure. You're absolutely right, there's some fine countryside and, as you see, at least a few traces of the old line hiding away!
I 1944, at the age of 11, I travelled from Aston Rowant to Princes Risborough and onwards to High Wycombe.
@@tomfoxon9093 there can't be many people around today who travelled on the railway at that time - thanks so much for sharing!
Makes you wonder if many passengers ever did get on or off at those small halts.
Few people seemed to live nearby.
Yes, just so!
It is surprising just what an important little junction Princess Risborough once was. As well as what is the mainline to Birmingham via Banbury, and the single track line to Aylesbury (how has that survived?), and the now closed line to Oxford, there was that branch to Watlington.
It was recently brought to my attention that on "grouping" in 1923, the GWR remained as it was because its tentacles already reached such far flung places as Chinnor and Aston Rowant.
Yes, I can believe it - more of a rebranding than a change!
another gem
So glad you enjoyed the film!
@@RediscoveringLostRailways cant get enough lol
Fantastic Video, just like yours previously. Love the way its filmed and the music, create a great atmosphere. Always a pleasure to watch your videos! I need to get down to Chinnor at some point, looks like a lovely railway.
Yes, make your way there when you can, it is wonderful. The day I filmed the fireman didn't turn up so I couldn't get a steam engine clanking through the picture! Really glad you enjoyed the film 🙂
@@RediscoveringLostRailways Ah, that's happened before when I was due to be guard at my local heritage railway (Telford Steam Railway), always preferred to be there when a steam loco was rostered but then the Ruston got put on instead meaning that I missed out on my bacon sandwich that day! Look forward seeing which line you do next.
Great video, thank you.
Very kind of you to say so, thank you 🙂
Great video from a line local to me. I'd love to see the line eventually extended to Aston Rowant.
Yes, hear hear!
Another superb video !
Most kind - thank you!
most enjoyable. thank you
Glad you enjoyed the film!
Excellent video and hope to visit one day! Shame about the overgrown track bed but maybe something could be done to extend the heritage railway. Nice presentation and I reckon you have done a really good job. I have decided to subscribe.
Very grateful for your subscription, thank you. Glad you enjoyed the film - so check out my other films and see what you think!
I was an overseas member of the society for years, thank you for this video but so sad to see Watlington now. THe dream was to go to Ashton Rowant but its impossible now
My pleasure - other than money being an inevitable issue, why might they not make it to Aston Rowant? Best wishes.
Have they put houses on top of the line?
@@PandaJ it seems generally clear up to Aston Rowant, but beyond that there's a bypass etc which makes it untenable.
@@RediscoveringLostRailways the M40?
@@PandaJ could be - I'm sorry I don't know the area very well to say for sure!
Sad but also wonderful 🙏🏻
Many thanks indeed!
Another great video mate.
Most kind, thank you 🙂
Sir your work is most excellent and never fails to deliver quality pieces of art.
This is because it's so much more than a video 👏🏻
All the very best 🤗🍻👍🏻
You're very kind, thank you 🙂
A very interesting video!
Well researched.
Keep up the good work sir! 👍
Thanks, will do! Best wishes.
You've probably received an ubbundance of comment saying well done on this mini documentary, but it really can not be stressed enough! As a volunteer, there is definitely some bias but it's always nice having our line in the spotlight. Thanks again!
That's so kind of you to say so - such a fine railway for which you volunteer - I really hope the CPRR makes it all the way to Aston Rowant! Do share the film far and wide, it would be much appreciated 🙂
@@RediscoveringLostRailways Don’t mention it! I’ve shared this on Twitter, I would’ve put it in the railway Facebook group but it looks like someone has beaten me to it. Keep up the good work!
I wish that I could stop looking at these videos! Rode thrm all as a very young lad, and the nostalgia is now saddening - a cheese sandwich for lunch and cold tea in one of Grandad's dead whisky bottles: the cuisine was not very 'haut', but then - in 1949, we had no money to spend.
Many thanks for your memories!
Thank you. Very good
So pleased you enjoyed it - thank you!
they really did put a lot of effort into maintain that part of the line... no matter how small it may seem.... also the rest of the trackbed hasnt really been marred by modern things that much has it
Yes, true enough -it would be wonderful to see this delightful heritage railway extended further!
A great video thanks... and very close to where I live so I know it well (although I have yet to ride on the Chinnor Train!). The start is very close to the Phoenix Way, which is a disused railway line to Thame, and I think is what you have labelled as the Wycombe Railway at the start of this film. It would be great to see a video of that line one day - there is a fair bit of existing railway furniture left (track, building and platform).
Glad you enjoyed it! I have the Thame line in my sights - I just need to bring my bicycle!
@@RediscoveringLostRailways You’ll love it!
Thanks nice work.....
My pleasure, thank you 🙂