TRAIN enthusiasts at a volunteer -run railway received the gift of a new train on Valentine’s Day.

The Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway was delighted to receive the new train at short notice on February 14.

The volunteer-run railway will give a home to the 60-year-old Royal Train locomotive engine and its carriages.

The train had been based at the world’s oldest and longest continually open railway works at Wolverton, Milton Keynes.

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The locomotive weighs 50 tons and was regularly to be seen hauling the Royal Train between the works and the west coast main line which was named ‘Wolverton’ more than 30 years ago.

It departed Wolverton Works on a low loader at noon on Valentine’s Day arriving at its new home in Chinnor a few hours later.

Stan Hart, Chairman of The Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway returned from a holiday to be told of the Valentine’s Day arrival.

He said: “I can’t even go away for some winter sun without coming back to a right royal railway surprise.

“This locomotive with impeccable royal connections is a very welcome addition to our volunteer run heritage railway”.

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The train has now been privately purchased and the new owner will be based at the Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway.

The new owner, Mike Edwards said: “I had a great day out recently at Chinnor and was very impressed with the set up.

“As a result, I’m more than happy to see our locomotive take up duties there and am very grateful to all the volunteers for agreeing to offer it a home”.

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The locomotive and its sister engine operated at Wolverton railway in 2013 courtesy of Wolverton Work’s volunteer Dave Hilliard.

The railway is also home to a train called ‘Haversham’ which was named after a nearby village to Wolverton.

‘Haversham’ is another ex-Wolverton royal locomotive which pulled the railway’s original train in August 1994.

The Valentine’s Day locomotive will be rostered to operate public trains at the Diesel Gala which will be held from March 27 to 29.

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The Diesel Gala will have a display of five locomotives operating and a service which will allow visitors to sample different machinery on a scenic route.

Visitors will also be able to take cab rides on each service to get an insight of the driver’s view of the line.

The historic Chinnor and Princess Risborough Railway was last in operation in 1957.

Now the railway is run by volunteers and welcomes enthusiasts to visit and learn about the trains, as well as hosting family events and experiences.

For more information about the Diesel Gala and an opportunity to see the Valentine’s Day locomotive engine and the Royal Train, visit, www.chinnorrailway.co.uk