A BR Western Region tender locomotive which normally operates in the Cotswolds is due to star in a gala at an Oxfordshire heritage line in September.
‘Manor’ 4-6-0 No. 7820 Dinmore Manor is set to make its debut on the Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway (C&PRR) during the line’s September 13-15 steam gala. The 1950-built loco is based at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway and it is booked to appear at the C&PRR event courtesy of engine’s owning group, Dinmore Manor Locomotive Ltd.
Not only will No. 7820 be the first tender locomotive to visit the line for a significant period of time, but it is also believed that Dinmore Manor will be the inaugural ‘Manor’ to work to Chinnor.
No. 7820 is rostered to join GWR Small Prairie No. 4555, which is on hire to the C&PRR for the 2024 season from the Dartmouth Steam Railway. A third visiting loco for the gala is expected to be announced shortly. The event forms part of the railway’s celebrations to mark 30 years since it reopened as a heritage line.
A range of ticket types are available – including those covering one, two or all three days of the gala. Visit https://www.chinnorrailway.co.uk/ for more information.
History
Originally known as the Watlington and Princes Risborough Railway Company, the branch was opened on August 15, 1872, before being acquired by the GWR on July 1, 1883. The last timetabled passenger train ran on July 1, 1957, but the stations remained open for goods and parcel traffic until January 2, 1961, after which the section from Chinnor to Watlington was closed and the track lifted. The Chinnor to Princes Risborough section was retained to serve the cement works and the wood yard at Chinnor.
The last freight to the cement works ran on December 20, 1989, hauled by Class 47 No. 47258.
The C&PRR was granted a Transport & Works Order on July 4, 1994, which came into force on July 26 that year. The first public service since 1957 ran on August 20 with round trips to Wainhill Halt. Services were gradually extended to Princess Risborough.
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