Princes Risborough 28 February 2013
Unit no 172 102 heads away from the camera. The Up and Down lines part company here and follow separate courses for about two miles.
Despite appearances maybe, the train is heading up-grade towards Saunderton summit, but on an easier gradient than on the Down line on the right. The Down is on more or less the course of the original single line from High Wycombe. When the line was doubled in the first decade of the 20th century as part of the creation of the GW & GC Joint line, the Up was routed to the west of the original via a deep cutting and the short Saunderton Tunnel to give locomotives (and their firemen) an easier time.
The facing crossover is primarily to allow down trains access to the Aylesbury branch.
Princes Risborough 28 February 2013
Unit no 172 102 heads away from the camera. The Up and Down lines part company here and follow separate courses for about two miles.
Despite appearances maybe, the train is heading up-grade towards Saunderton summit, but on an easier gradient than on the Down line on the right. The Down is on more or less the course of the original single line from High Wycombe. When the line was doubled in the first decade of the 20th century as part of the creation of the GW & GC Joint line, the Up was routed to the west of the original via a deep cutting and the short Saunderton Tunnel to give locomotives (and their firemen) an easier time.
The facing crossover is primarily to allow down trains access to the Aylesbury branch.