The current COVID-19 pandemic has brought a temporary closure to the 100% volunteer run Cholsey and Wallingford Railway at the start of the running season. As with any charity or business, the railway faces fixed costs whether running or not, with fixed costs (such as rent & insurance) which costs several thousand pound per month.
We are now faced with a significant period of no income from passengers, particularly over the popular Easter & May Bank Holiday events.
Fortunately 2019 was a good year for the railway, with the busiest Santa season. This meant we were able to plan significant investment in 2020. We have already acquired land from Lidl to enable the creation of a run round loop at Wallingford, and the errection of the Maidenhead Canopy.
To help us achieve our plans for 2020 and beyond we will need donations, to ensure that the we don't use our reserves we have built up for investment in general running costs.
Please donate to enable the Cholsey & Wallingford to keep improving and continuing to be an important asset for the local area.
We are accepting donations via PayPal, with all major credit cards also accepted.
You can also donate by direct bank transfer, or by sending a cheque, follow the link for details.
The Cholsey and Wallingford Railway has been forced to cancel all services until further notice. This is in accordance with a government requirement regarding COVID-19 virus.
If you have already purchased a ticket for one of our 2020 events, we will refund all monies, including the element held by our software and card providers.
The Cholsey and Wallingford Railway is registered as a charity and 100% volunteer run.
Enjoy a Heritage train ride on our rural branchline that was first opened in 1866. Our line runs through the beautiful countryside of South Oxfordshire and links the historic riverside town of Wallingford with GWR trains at Cholsey. Travel on our 1950s coaches, hauled by one of our Heritage diesels locomotives or by a visiting steam engine.
On your journey, look out for Cholsey Church, where Agatha Christie is buried, and perhaps spot the magnificent Red Kites, that are often seen flying across our line. Our line links the national railway network at Cholsey, with the historic market town of Wallingford, Oxfordshire. Wallingford and the River Thames are 10 minutes walk away where you will find Castle ruins, a Museum and a selection of shops, restaurants and pubs. Trains run on selected weekends and bank holidays throughout the year and, where available, are steam hauled. Known locally as "The Bunk", passenger services ceased in 1959. Having secured the line in 1981, the CWR Preservation Society now aims to enhance the facilities that the railway offers and to improve our Wallingford site.