Cholsey and Wallingford Railway Preservation Society
The Cholsey and Wallingford Railway Preservation Society (registered charity no. 295279) is a British nonprofit organisation dedicated to preserving and operating the historic Wallingford branch line, a 2.75-mile heritage railway in Oxfordshire. Established in 1981 following efforts to save the abandoned line, the society operates between Cholsey and Wallingford, connecting with Great Western Railway services at Cholsey station[1][2][3].

History

The original Wallingford and Watlington Railway opened in 1866 as a standard-gauge branch line from Moulsford (later relocated to Cholsey in 1892) to Wallingford. Financial struggles led to its acquisition by the Great Western Railway (GWR) in 1872[5]. Passenger services ceased in 1959, and the line closed completely in 1981. The society was formed shortly afterward, securing the trackbed and reopening a portion for heritage operations[2][4].

Preservation and operations

The society began public operations in 1985, initially using diesel multiple units. Regular services commenced in 1997, with trains typically hauled by Class 08 diesel locomotives and visiting steam engines for special events[1]. The railway operates weekends and bank holidays from April to September, plus seasonal services[1][3].

Infrastructure includes the original Cholsey station bay platform and a temporary terminus at Hithercroft Road in Wallingford, adjacent to the former maltings site[1][3]. The society aims to construct a permanent station at Wallingford and has expanded its track access following redevelopment of surrounding land[1].

Rolling stock

Notable locomotives include Peckett 0-4-0ST steam engines Ivor the Engine and Northern Gas Board No. 1, alongside BR Class 14 and 64xx Class tank engines[1]. The fleet demonstrates the branch line’s operational history under GWR and British Railways stewardship[5].

Charitable aims

The society focuses on railway preservation, education, and community engagement, maintaining the line as a working example of Britain’s industrial heritage[3][4]. Volunteers manage track maintenance, restoration projects, and public operations[1][3].

This article incorporates text from the society’s historical records and publicly available archival materials.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cholsey_and_Wallingford_Railway [2] https://www.cholsey-wallingford-railway.com/history-of-the-line/ [3] https://www.wallingfordtowncouncil.gov.uk/visitors/places-to-visit/cholsey-and-wallingford-railway/ [4] https://rcts.org.uk/cholsey-and-wallingford-railway/ [5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wallingford_railway_branch_line