THE Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway is back up and running after a winter break.

The first train of the season left the railway station at Chinnor on Sunday for Mothering Sunday for the seven mile round trip.

It is the 20th anniversary this year for the charity, which is entirely volunteer led.

To celebrate there will be midweek trains in August for the very first time and other special events and extra running days.

Prior to the line closing for its annual maintenance last year, more than 1,000 visitors were interviewed on the trains in December.

The research showed many enjoyed their day and lots of visitors first heard about the railway from their friends and family.

However one in five heard about it from local newspapers and websites. Roger J Fagg, chairman of the line, said: "It’s a big thumbs-up for our local Bucks Free Press."

During the winter maintenance period the railway has been training professional railway staff from Network Rail to develop and enhance their skills and understanding in the safe and unpressurised environment that only the local heritage line can provide.

The railway also has a programme of driver experience days for the general public, including ‘driver for a fiver’ for the first time this year.

On the last Network Rail staff training day the train was halted to let three deer leap over the line. You may also experience something similar when you ride the Wildlife on the Move trains, which includes experienced Chilterns Conservation guides on board - the next date is this Saturday.

See www.chinnorrailway.co.uk for this and all other events.