View source for Railway Line at Risborough

click [[Saunderton Station]] for ther railway news[[File:Saunderton Railway Construction 01.jpg|thumb|1905 new railway cutting at Saunderton for trains to London]]
Research by [[Terry Wheeler]] of [[Loosley Dene]], Loosley Row

Extract from an article published in [[Hallmark]] February 1996

'''The 'Risborough' and The Railway Gap!'''

When at the Princes Risborough Golf Club on a fairway that runs alongside the railway track, a friend commented "Why were the trains all going the same direction?"

It just happened that he was playing with a guy who has researched the subject.   So why are the two rail tracks nearly 200yds apart, when you take the road from Loosley Row towards Bledlow on the Upper Icknield Way?

'''Railway History'''

In 1854, under the direction of I.K. Brunel, but not day to day involved (as far as I can find out), a broad gauge line was constructed from Maidenhead to Wycombe (single track) and extended to Princes Risborough and Thame in 1862.   It was further extended to Oxford two years later.

At about 1872 the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway, whose chairman Sir Edward Watkin was already chairman of the Metropolitan Railway had ambitions to extend its activities in London.   This was typical of Railway Mania (as historians call it), the other railways were already there some 20 years previously.

However they renamed themselves the 'Great Central Railway' and via Nottingham to Grendon Underwood and on to Aylesbury it ran across Metropolitan  rail tracks into Harrow and on to Marylebone.

'''Incompatibility'''

Quite apart from the incompatibility of Metroland traffic and mainline express requirements there were a lot of difficulties and lack of co-operation between them and so alternative solutions were needed.

'''Other Rivals'''

At the same time, the highly ambitious & successful Great Western Railway wanted to improve its running times and services from Paddington to Birmingham in order to fight off competition from the London and North Western Services from Euston to Birmingham.   A more direct route would save 19 miles from the Didcot, Oxford route out of Paddington.

By joining forces with the Great Central, they formed the Great Western & Great Central Joint Stock Railway. (GW & GC JNT ST RLY).   This was to run via a branch off the existing track at Grendon Underwood through Haddenham and join the existing GWR line at Risborough, through our Valley (The Risborough' Gap) to High Wycombe.   (This whole section was the Joint Stock Part).   Then extend the line from Wycombe to Northolt (via Beaconsfield & Gerrards X) on to Wembley and into Marylebone.

'''Line converted to twin - track'''

Our part of the line was converted to twin track to increase the capacity for future heavily loaded London bound trains.

'''Saunderton Bank Too Steep for Heavy Expresses'''

The steep pull out of Risborough up the Saunderton Bank was far too tough a gradient for heavy expresses and the gradient had to be eased.

You've guessed it!

It was cheaper to separate the tracks, and build a tunnel 65 ft deep and 84 yds long rather than widen the existing cutting and deepen it to ease the gradient.   After all, running into Risborough wasn't a problem if you had brakes!   Only the London bound track needed to be made easier.

'''Have a Look at the Photo'''

When next you go along the Upper Icknield Way towards Bledlow, as you get to the bridge over the railway, there is a little path on your left just before the bridge parapet.   Walk through to the field, follow the hedge for 100 yds, through the gate and you are above the Wycombe side of the track.   When this second track was being built someone photographed the whole line being built and it is published in a book called "The Final Link".   On page 16 of the book there is a photograph taken from the top of the tunnel looking towards Wycombe.   Although it  was 1904 and of course very little of Loosley Row was built, on the left of that picture are two white images where Loosley Row is today.   I went to the Records Office in Leicester where all the original negatives are stored and obtained a10 x8 black & white print from the original negative.   One white image is Collins Farm, the other is Loosley Dene.   (The Valley side of our house is rendered and painted white).

'''Have a Look at the Bridges'''

When next you drive from West Wycombe towards Risborough, as you go under the bridge you can see evidence of the original track and easing of the gradient as it approaches Saunderton from the other direction.   Now look at the other bridge by the Rose & Crown at Saunderton.   The newest looking bridge is in fact the oldest.   The dirty looking one is the newest.   That's because the Great Western always tried to use "Purple-Black Engineers Trimmings" for their stone work and were definitely in charge of construction!

'''Visit the Museum'''

Prior to Railway Nationalisation all the independent railways had their logo cast into the 'chairs'.   The chair supports the rail on the sleeper and a wedge was driven in to lock it.   If you go to the Railway Centre at Quainton you can see a display of various railway 'chairs' including one with "GW & GC JNT ST RLW" cast in it.   I've got one in the fire place upstairs and it came from our valley.   I understand you can still buy them at the Railway Centre as souvenirs for a small donation.   Membership for a year would guarantee it!  



{{Amenity
|Amenity Name=Railway line at Princes Risborough
|Current Status (Active/Inactive)=active
|Founded Date=1862
}}