Photographers document face of railways in the Chilterns ahead of HS2

The Chiltern Society’s latest PhotoGroup project will interest more then just railway buffs will be interested in the PhotoGroup’s latest project as there are more than 6,800 photographs of the Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the archive.

Three members have spent many months photographing localised aspects of the three routes operated by Chiltern Railways since 1996 for the project’s latest album of 68 photos.

Website editor Quiller Barrett said: “With High Speed 2 potentially changing the face of the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, it is important to acknowledge the local role that Chiltern Railways plays in a less visible way through this beautiful landscape.

“This album is a photographic record of Chiltern Railways services through the area in 2014. 

“Take a look at some statues, as well as the people who operate the railway these days. See what remains of Brunel’s design for a railway shed and where Hillary Clinton and Cherie Blair were greeted when they travelled by Royal Train to Chequers. “Railway anoraks can view restored Bubble Cars and you will be able to answer a pub quiz question: ‘Where do you need to hold up your hand to stop a train in the Chilterns?’.

“There is quite a feast of photos here and they record the special character, qualities and amenities of the Chilterns for the benefit of later generations. Several thousands of UK and overseas visitors, many with ancestral links to the region, access the archive each year.

Click here to view the photos on the Chiltern Society website.