Epping Ongar Railway

There has been lots of progress since our last update. As you may have seen on our News page, the surface has been installed on the Up platform, and in addition the former Chitt’s Hill level crossing gates have been re-hung on the site of the former level crossing. This will compliment the GER latticework footbridge and used as a decorative feature and for filming.

Meanwhile the teams have been continuing their hard work on the myriad of rewarding and important tasks, all part of the re-opening program. The pway team continued with greasing fishplates last Sunday, and the S&T team are continuing their work on the location cases for Ongar and starting to get North Weald ready to be commissioned.

Our Tues gang is going from strength to strength, and following the completion of the decoration in the Station Master’s office and Parcel’s office (which will be used as an educational and display area), are now turning their attentions to pushing ahead with the restoration of the former Ladies Waiting Room, which will become a Family Room, complete with baby changing facility. Following this, they will move onto the final room, the Meeting and Training Room, before then turning their attentions to North Weald.

Our engineering teams have also been busy, with the restoration and rubbing down of (formerly) “Blue” Ruston 88, which is being repainted into a more authentic livery. The teams have been removing old paint, drip marks (!) and rust ready for its new coats, cab restored and replacement windows. The Ruston is currently under-cover in the engine shed, so its an ideal time to do it before it has to move outside to make way for other items to get over the pit.

These works are only possible thanks to our friendly and enthusiastic team of volunteers, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them and their team leaders for all their efforts, especially as we move towards getting the railway operational.

Simon Hanney, General Manager, Epping Ongar Railway

Sunday saw both the Pway and Signals gang working. The Pway team worked from Ongar, removing and greasing fishplates, as well as attending to some of the dips in the rail alignment. They will also be ensuring there is the correct gaps between the rails to allow for heat expansion. The Signals gang worked at North Weald and continued work on the interlocking install under the signalbox and also installing transformers which will provide power to the point machines. Outside other members of the team also fitted point operating parts to NW9b, which forms the west end of the run round / passing loop (the east end, NW13, is already fitted up).

Tuesday saw 13 volunteers down Ongar, working on the station’s restoration. The repointing of the front of the station was continuing, with the mortar being mixed and placed to match the original colour and pattern. Meanwhile inside, following the damp treatment to the lower half of the “Taxi Office”, these walls were painted in undercoat and the sash window fettled to make it open and close easier.

Members of the team continued with the decoration of the Parcel’s Office (which will become the museum and educational display), and replacement glass was fitted to the Porter’s Room window which was accidently broken a few weeks back. The interior of the Porters Room is coming together with its original GER noticeboard now restored, sign-written and re-hung and the coathooks installed ready for winter!

Inside the coaches was not forgotten with cracking paint being stripped from the window frames inside the 117 DMU, and fitting of interior fittings as we get TSO 5005 ready for service.

Thursday was also another hive of activity, with a number of teams working on the various important tasks to get the railway ready for reopening. The Thumper gang have fitted the replacement fan drive clutch (thanks to P&BR for their help) and its working well, with the unit being run up for 3 hours without any issues.

The electrical connection to the oil pump has been fixed and the unit now pumps its own oil pressure up prior to starting (so no more need to manually pump it up!). The team are currently investigating a fault with the air braking system with a possible sticking value currently thought (hoped?) to be the issue!  The outside was also not forgotten with continued painstaking work removing rust, scale and old paint from the solebar, ready for repainting.

Meanwhile Doug worked on Badger’s braking system, and a team went up the line to tackle some vegetation, in particular improving the sight lines around the first foot crossing, to enhance the safety of footpath users to sight approaching trains.

Another team worked in the 117 DMU, replacing ceiling hardboard and re-fixed metal trim as some of the more modern fittings are removed and the unit returned to an older decoration to match the all-over green exterior.

All this progress is only possible thanks to the friendly teams of volunteers who come down and contribute their time and hard work as we get the line ready for re-opening, and there is always extra jobs for new faces that wish to join us.

Report by Simon Hanney, General Manager

Thursday 22^nd

The Thursday group continued work at Ongar, continuing work on the various projects. The Thursday gang often concentrate on a number of the engineering tasks that need to be tackled before re-opening, and Thursday saw the team complete the feed to the workshop and the engine shed, enabling the new pit lights and power sockets to be used. This will help the teams undertake works on the underframes and running gear of the various coaches and engines. Meanwhile a number of the team worked on returning the works unit “Badger” back into traffic, undertaking repair work to the driver’s seat and also attending to the braking system, replacing the original arrangement with easier to obtain standard car parts.

Other members of the team continued the Ongar station restoration, tackling some of the graffiti on the brickwork and continuing the station decoration.

Saturday 24^th

The signals gang worked up at North Weald, continuing the work on connecting up the signalbox and its interlocking. This included testing of the electrical power systems. The team also viewed the progress being made by the contractors as they work to finish the Up platform as we get ready to connect up the tracks through the station.

Sunday 25^th

The track gang worked out at North Weald, attending to the track defects in the North Weald area and also replacing a few rotten sleepers on the Up loop road.

Tuesday 27^th

The Tue gang continued work on the restoration of Ongar station, in particular working on the Parcel’s Office (which is being restored so it can be used as a museum and educational display area), and also preparing the original side gate for repainting. Meanwhile the damp issue in the Taxi office was tackled on Monday and Tuesday saw the affected areas given a first coat to the walls as we work to finish this room.

On Friday afternoon 16 July, Coopersale and Theydon Garnon Primary School held their Summer Fayre. EOR received a request from the school to hang an advertising poster from Coopersale railway bridge. Following the necessary safety precautions and liaising with the Highways department, we were delighted to be able to assist:

Local School Banner on Coopersale Bridge

EORVS was invited to provide its own stand at the event. A large number of adults and children attended and a lot of interest was shown in the EOR. Many people came and chatted and took away leaflets and membership forms.

EORVS Stand at Coopersale School Fair

The importance of the EORVS attending some of these local events was highlighted by the fact that most of the people we talked to didn’t know much about our Railway or its future and exciting reopening. It was a great opportunity to spread the word about all we are doing, and we found that quite a number of visitors were grandparents looking for something to get involved with!

Report by Bob Gillman, EORVS Publicity Officer

Following the successful Open Day, we have had a busy week. The weekday group continued work on Ongar station restoration, and the Thursday group got the Pway Maintenance Unit (Badger) back into traffic. Meanwhile the Parcel’s Office saw its restoration advanced, with the cigarette stained ceiling sanded back, before several coats of paint. We have been careful not to get the paint too “brilliant white” as we are trying to replicate the distemper they would have used in Great Eastern days. The Parcel’s Office will be used as a museum and educational display area once the restoration has been completed.

Warren applies the first coat of paint on the ceiling of Ongar's Parcels Office

The week finished with two teams undertaking community service days, helping their local community return its rail link and enable green tourism to the area. We were very pleased to welcome a team from Ford, who kindly came down as part of their community service program. Their team helped on a number of areas, including sleeper changing and sleeper straightening near North Weald, getting the track ready for tamping. The rest of the team worked in the Blake Hall area, clearing vegetation back, which has sprung up following the warm weather.

The team of volunteers from Ford, who kindly came down to help out at EOR

Meanwhile at Ongar, we were pleased to welcome a team from the Royal Mail, who undertook a deep clean of the Thumper (205205), as we get the unit ready to return to traffic. The unit had probably not been cleaned for some time, as original tickets and timetables from its last mainline run in 1994 turned up, which have now been passed to our archive team.

The team from Royal Mail, who completed a deep clean on the Thumper interior

Saturday 10^th saw a signals team working at North Weald, and despite the hot weather made good progress installing and testing transformers and installing cabling underneath the signalbox.

Sunday 11^th the track team continued the good work undertaken on Friday, and changed 6 sleepers west of North Weald, getting this section ready for tamping.

June has been a busy month down the Epping-Ongar Branch. We have been delighted to be welcoming more new faces to the teams, and I would like to extend a warm welcome and my thanks to all those who have been kind enough to come down. The weather has been very kind to us and has helped us push forward progress at both station sites. 

At North Weald the weekday teams have continued the progress on the platforms and station areas, ready for track-laying to continue through the station. The new tracks will be laid at the correct height for UK standard coaching stock, enabling easier access for all ages and abilities. The foundations for the GER latticework footbridge have been poured and the ends of both up and down platforms receiving attention. The whole area is really coming together, complete with cast iron lamp-posts being planted. Sometimes it can be the small things that start to draw together the whole scene and making it look more like a railway again!

North Weald Up platform strengthening works and footings for the new disabled ramp start to take shape

Work has continued on the BR 20t Brake van (on loan from London Transport Museum). We have regular work parties and this has really helped push forward the exterior and interior restoration of this very useful item of rolling stock. There is now just one end support that needs replacement, and final painting of the interior before this project is complete and the vehicle returned to traffic.

Steve working on the LTM brake van interior

Behind the scenes the signals gang have continued work on preparing the signalling for both North Weald and Ongar’s signalling. This has included continuing their diligent work on location cases, so these items are lifted in as “finished units” and then can just be connected up to the various signalling items. We have been delighted to welcome friends from the Bluebell Railway’s signalling department and the Romsey signalbox project, and we are keen to develop links with many other railways to help preserve and maintain our signalling heritage.

Our track teams have done excellent work in the North Weald area, replacing sleepers and correcting track alignments in the section towards Epping, as well as finishing off the last of the track defects in the Up sidings and eastern section of the new track layout.

Track approaching North Weald from Epping

Meanwhile at Ongar there has been quite a few developments in recent weeks. The ladies and gents toilets have benefitted from many hours diligent work, preparing the surfaces, before sealing and painting into Great Eastern colours. Both areas now look much smarter, and thanks to the removal of “false” ceilings, are both lighter and have better air circulation in these most important of visitor facilities.

The rest of the station has also been receiving some much needed restoration. The Porter’s Room (now becoming a staff rest room), is nearing the end of its restoration, with all the major items now completed, and just incidentals and final electrical testing to finish off before it can be used. This has been a very rewarding project, taking a room which previously used to be cluttered and having rain leaking through the roof, to now having a smart, dry and comfortable environment for volunteers to rest, refresh and relax. It’s a lasting credit to all those who helped towards its restoration.

Our weekday teams have continued their work on re-pointing and isolated brick replacement, and the sides of the Footwarmer Hut now looking more secure. The team have been careful to match the correct mortar and brick types so that the works are sympathetic to the original 1890 building.

Works nearly complete on repointing this side of the 1890 Footwarmer Hut

Our electricians have also not been idle, continuing work inside the engine shed, installing pit lighting and sockets to enable power tools to be used, without the risk of trailing cables. The engineering teams have also worked on axle replacement for Badger and continuing the restoration of the Thumper and DMU (both inside and outside).

Inside Ongar station the parcels office has seen some quite major changes, with the large London Transport switch room demolished and after the floor was re-levelled, a new window installed to replace the switch room door. This window was carefully made to match the rest of the station windows, and once the final “touching-in” is completed, will return the station to how it looked in GER days. The Ladies Waiting Room has also moved forward, with the last evidence of the LT “Safe Room” being plastered over, and I look forward to the coming weeks as this room is returned to its Great Eastern colours and atmosphere.

The railway has been represented at the Ongar Town Forum, and also the North Weald Parish council, and we continue to welcome any and all opportunities to inform the local communities and interest groups about the exciting developments down their heritage railway. I am pleased that both the Ongar and North Weald newsletters (both of which are a very good read and are a credit to their authors and active communities), now have regular railway columns, explaining what is happening behind the scenes.

Lastly I am also pleased to announce that the next edition of the society journal “Mixed Traffic” has been “put to bed” and copies will be landing on member’s door-mats soon. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the many team leaders who have taken time to contribute to this issue and in particular to Bob Gillman who has overseen its new look and style and Paul Hale at Concept Communications for printing. There is an opportunity for non-members to pick up a copy, and also see much of the recent restorations at our Open Day this Sunday (4^th July), 10-4pm, when the station will be open, and alongside the heritage buses, refreshments and ice creams will be available!

Saturday 29^th May – The team worked up at North Weald, Tom and Andrew continuing work on the interior of the BR Brake Van, and priming some of the exterior boards in the dry, so they are painted and ready for fitting. Meanwhile Bob and Simon worked under the signalbox, fitting lock slides and oiling other slides which form part of the safety interlocking. The photo below shows Bob at work, and alongside him are some of the lever lock covers, which he has taken home, sanded down and repainted in his garage – another example of the wide range of ways our volunteers can help restore the railway.

Bob Gillman working on the lever locks under North Weald signalbox

Sunday 30^th – The team continued work at North Weald, with Ben, Bill and Will working on the Brake Van (fitting the boarding that was prepared on Saturday), while the Pway team worked over Kiln Road bridge, carefully levelling the track, before adding ballast. The deep-dig ballast renewals and levelling will help ensure that our passengers have a smooth ride over the bridge, and the new ballast side plates and repainting will ensure the bridge both complies with the recent RAIB safety recommendations and will last for a good number more years.

General Overview through North Weald, showing track laying, construction continuing on the Up Platform extension and signalling install progressing

Off-site, Simon and Steve took the railway van to Malden & District Society of Model Engineers, where we picked up some signalling items that they no-longer required following re-signalling works.

Photograph taken at Malden DSME, showing an impressive gallery of signals

It was good to meet up with the group there and see the excellent layout they have achieved, and the signalling preserved there.

Malden DSME's new signalling works for Hampton Court Junction

EOR is very glad to have the opportunity to re-use and so preserve in working order the items they kindly donated, some of which were saved from the original Nine Elms signalbox! We look forward to welcoming Malden DSME members to EOR in a few months time when we are operational.

Bank Holiday Monday saw a team working at Ongar continuing restoration work at the station. Tom and our new volunteer John spent the day tidying the new General Manager’s office and had an excellent day undercoating the room to former GER colours. Steve meanwhile made a start on patching up many of the holes in the plasterwork around the station and bonding up the chasing for the new sockets and fittings. Andrew saw an opportunity to continue the excellent work on the Ongar frontend of the thumper unit and removed the more awkward paintwork. Doug our Pway man popped in for a few hours to do some track work at North Weald, including adjusting the position of one of the insulated block joints, which are essential for the signalling system.

Tuesday 1^st June saw the Tue gang continuing the restoration of Ongar’s Grade II listed station, repointing the Footwarmer Hut, and putting the final touches to the new Volunteers Rest Room painting, before then turning their attentions to a tidy up of the station in readiness for the forthcoming Open Day on 4^th July and continuing the restoration of the Station Master’s office during the wet weather.

Finally I like to say a big thank-you to all those volunteers who have been down over the last few days, and been helping out in what-ever capacity – it all helps progress towards getting the railway restored and running trains again.

(Reports by Simon Hanney & Steve Elam)