THE CHINNOR and Princes Risborough Railway near Thame has won a special award at a prestigious ceremony.

At Railfutures' award ceremony earlier this month, judges praised the Heritage railway's reconnection with Chiltern main line services in August, and the 'high-quality interchange platform'.

Awards organiser Roger Blake said: “The judges were so impressed with the nominations this year.

“The Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway won their award, received by Chairman Danny Woodward, for reopening their heritage service into Princes Risborough mainline station in mid-August.”

With the interchange opening just 100 days ago, it will be possible to catch a steam-hauled Santa Special at Princes Risborough for the very first time.

The train from Princes Risborough will run on Saturday 1 and 8, and Sunday 2 and 9 December, for the one-hour steam hauled special service.

Trains leave at 10.45, 12.00 and 14.45 on each date and Santa meets every child at their seats on the train with a thoughtful present. Hot drinks and mince pies (or fruit drinks and biscuits for children) are served during the journey.

Seats must be booked in advance via chinnorrailway.co.uk

C&PRR Chairman Danny Woodward said: “The CPRR is a 100 per cent volunteer operated railway and the award is a fantastic and timely recognition of volunteers’ efforts who have been greatly supported by Chiltern Railways and Network Rail in delivering the project over the last few years.”