Epping Ongar Railway

Epping Ongar Railway & Colne Valley Railway are pleased to announce that they have reached an agreement which will see Epping Ongar Railway’s first resident steam locomotive Isabel; a 1919 built Hawthorne Leslie 0-6-0ST, visit the Colne Valley Railways line at Castle Hedingham Essex for the next few months.

Isabel takes her first steps onto Essex soil...

The locomotive has been moved from its former home on the Cambrian Railway and it will be in steam as part of the Colne Valley Railway’s summer season attractions.

The loan of the locomotive to the Colne Valley Railway for its scheduled services will also allow Epping Ongar Railway’s crews to further their skills and gain experience on the locomotive while the 6.5 mile Epping to Ongar line is being readied for the forthcoming return of passenger services.

Isabel settles in shortly after arriving, also pictured is Class 121 "Bubble" Car (55033) and far distance an 03 shunter

The loan of the locomotive is seen as yet another example of how the heritage industry can work together for mutual benefit of all. Epping Ongar Railway are especially pleased that the locomotive will be in regular operation after a long period of inactivity and that their crews will have the opportunity of gaining experience on her prior to her arrival on the Epping to Ongar line.

Epping Ongar Railway is pleased to announce its support in principal for the car parking site proposed by Ongar Town Council on the former Gas Works at the south end of the high street (at the junction between High Street, The Borough and Greenstead Rd).

EOR is aware of and in support of the suggestion that has been made to Ongar Town Council that the brownfield site can offer an ideal parking location where the railway’s heritage bus services from Epping and North Weald could terminate and allow visitors choosing to travel by car an opportunity to park safely and minimise the impact on local roads. The location would also compliment the three main parking sites already provided within the town and encourage visitors to explore the High Street and to spend more time in the area.

An Epping Ongar heritage bus arrives at Epping, run as part of the railway’s recent Open Day & North Weald Bus Rally. Buses like these could soon be connecting to the proposed Ongar Park & Ride (Photo Steve Cooper)

EOR has been informed that Ongar Town Council is liaising with the current owner (Essex CC) regarding a possible land transfer, the railway has been assured that if this happens, the plans for the site will be further developed with this option being considered. The railway is keen to work with the Town and County Councils with these plans, so enabling the bus services connecting with heritage rail services from the original 1865 stations at Ongar and North Weald and onward to Epping Tube station. This would be further encouragement for people to utilise a park and
ride service as part of their visit and enjoying an authentic heritage transport experience.

Following on from the prize draw at the recent North Weald Open Day, Epping Ongar Railway was delighted to present Lucy Morton with a pair of tickets for the railways Grand Opening day. Lucy being first drawn from all the correct entries made on the open day. A second draw for “Tea for Two” at Tilly’s Tea Rooms in Ongar was won by David Evans and congratulations to them both.

Simon Hanney presents Lucy Morton with her tickets for the Grand Opening

Lucy was delighted when she discovered she had won the tickets as both her brother and nephew are “mad about trains”, and so enjoyed their visit to see the progress being made at North Weald station they cannot wait for the Grand Opening. Coincidentally Lucy lives adjacent to the 6.5 mile line and was keen to hear about our plans for reopening, as well as how we are designing the current works to be within our future plans to reintroduce a service to Epping. As Lucy commutes into the capital every day she would find such a service very convenient.

Epping Ongar Railway would again like to congratulate both Lucy and David, and looks forward in due course to welcoming visitors to the line for the grand opening which will feature both steam and diesel hauled train services.

All the volunteers who volunteered at Epping Ongar railway during May were entered in a draw for two complementary theatre tickets to see “The Railway Children” at Waterloo Station. EOR General Manager, Simon Hanney, is seen here presenting the tickets to worthy winner Barry George, who’s name was first to be pulled out of the hat. 

Barry is to be seen regularly at Ongar, working hard to restore the bodywork on the ‘Thumper’ (DEMU 205205), and as ever, would be very keen to hear of any new volunteers who fancy giving him a hand on this project.

The tickets were donated for this promotion by the production company. Which is returning toWaterloostation after a record breaking run,E. Nesbit’s classic returns with performances from 19 June. London’s breath-taking theatrical event is once again staged at the former Eurostar terminal, where a 1,000 seat venue has been built around the railway tracks with audiences seated on either side. The production features the amazing Stirling Single, a beautiful 60 tonne steam locomotive on loan from the National Railway Museum.

Don’t miss your chance to join Bobby, Peter and Phyllis, as they tell the story of how they became The Railway Children.

To book call 0871 297 0740 or visit www.railwaychildrenwaterloo.com 
(EOR is not responsible for the content of 3rd Party websites).

EOR is delighted to announce that there has recently been two former British Railways Mk2 arrivals on the line; a Mk2e RFB (Restaurant First Buffet) number 1214 which is ideal for use as either a moving or static buffet car and a British Rail Mk2a BSO (Brake Second Open) 9385.

Restaurant First Buffet 1214 takes it first steps on EOR metals. Photo Nick Whelan

The Brake Second Open is an essential element towards running locomotive hauled passenger services, as every rake of coaches needs a brake coach and Guards compartment. This one is fitted with vacuum brakes and so will work with steam and most diesel locomotives. These do not come up very often, and often in a very poor condition. This coach needs a rub down and repaint, and inside some new plywood panels need replacing under the windows and a deep clean, but it is otherwise complete. In time the luggage area will also be smartened up to provide a welcoming environment to ensure that our disabled visitors have an enjoyable visit and ride along the line in comfort.

BR Mk2a Brake Second Open (BSO) about to be unloaded at North Weald, where it will shortly be restored. Photo: Nick Whelan

As with all aspects of the railway’s restoration, the sooner the brake and other coaches are restored, the sooner we will be in a position to run steam hauled passenger trains, so please consider giving Norman & Anne-Marie a hand to push forward this important restoration work, details are on the How You Can Help page…

The volunteer team at the Epping Ongar Railway was delighted to throw open the doors of North Weald Station on Sunday 3^rd July, and welcomed over 1100 people through the doors, that’s over double the number of visitors who came last year!

Visitors flock to North Weald station to see the progress on its restoration

In addition to seeing the superb restoration work on the 1865 station, as we restore it into 1940-1960’s period colours, visiting the signalbox, coaches under restoration and “meet the team” talks, 437 people travelled on the line travelling in comfort in the BR Mk2 first class coach, behind Class 37 D6729 (37029), and many taking advantage of cab rides in the 37 & 03.

Visitors wait on North Weald Down Platform for the next shuttle train

Visitors were able to see inside the original 1888 signalbox, and find out about how a signalbox works

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BR Class 37 D6729 arrives in North Weald Down platform, with a service from Coopersale

There were plenty of stalls for our visitors, with refreshments from Marnie, a tradition ice cream bicycle, Ongar Fire Engine, Epping Ongar Sales and membership stand and Mr Grumpy’s Sweet Stall. Mr Grumpy very kindly donated two prizes to the Grand Prize draw, tea for two at Tilly’s tea Rooms and a jar of sweets for the first child’s prize drawn.

General Manager, Simon Hanney, comments; “it was a delight to see the volunteer team come together, the nice weather made the station look its best and we were delighted to welcome people of all ages and backgrounds come from the local community and further afield to see the progress as we get the line ready for its return to running regular passenger trains. From the visitor surveys returned, 99% rated the event good or excellent, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the whole team who worked together so well to make the event a resounding success and such an enjoyable and interesting day out for all our visitors”.

The EOR is delighted to be opening the doors of North Weald Station on Sunday 3^rd July between 10:00 and 16:00, to show the progress being made, as the line gets ready for its grand re-opening. This is the first time since 2008 that the public will be able to look around North Weald Station, and we are keen to share with you the progress achieved in the last three years.

The track through the station has been re-laid and additional siding storage space added. The “Up” loop platform has been extensively re-built, with a second track laid through the station to allow us once again to pass trains at this, the half way point on our 6.5 mile heritage branch line.

In addition to seeing the original 1865 station, (which has been carefully restored into London North Eastern Railway 1940-60s period colours), you will also have a rare opportunity to look behind the scenes and see the restoration process in action. Some of the heritage coaches, which are being restored by our teams of friendly volunteers, will also be on-display.

Whilst you are browsing, why not pay a visit to the original 1888 signal box – this has been extensively restored, and visitors will see how the signaling of the station is progressing. The volunteer team is made up of people of all ages, and will be available on-site to answer your questions. Who knows, there may even be the opportunity to pull a lever in the signal box!

BR Class 37 D6729 is rostered to be in action at our forthcoming Open Day

Our collection of engines must not be forgotten; Class 37 D6729 and Class 03 03170 will be in action, providing cab rides for a small fee – with proceeds going towards the restoration of the railway. You can experience first hand the thrill of riding in the cab of a BR Class 37, a 108 ton machine which, when new, was based at nearby Stratford depot, and used to haul express trains from Liverpool Street to destinations in East Anglia.

Hot and cold refreshments will be available from the catering stand, there is a traditional sweet stall (provided by Mr Grumpy’s Sweet Shop of Ongar), and there will be the opportunity to learn more about how we are progressing towards re-opening, the future plans for the line, and how to join our friendly team.  We are also working on other suprise additions for this year’s Open day… keep an eye on our website for more details….

Whilst entry to North Weald Station is free, the connecting shuttle bus service between the aerodrome and the station is part of the Bus Rally which is also happening on this day; the bus will run every 20 minutes from 11.40 onwards, until approximately 4.00 p.m.  (Please note that parking at the station is limited and people are advised to park at the aerodrome). 

Tickets for the Bus Rally, which is organised by The North London Transport Society, can be obtained by contacting them: www.northlondontransportsociety.co.uk; e-mail: nits@live.co.uk Tickets cost £8.00 (adults), (concessions free).  

(EOR reserves the right to substitute an alternative engine in cases of failure of the advertised engine)

There are many ways people of all ages are helping as part of the team getting Epping Ongar Railway once again running steam and diesel trains. As well as our weekday and weekend work parties, some of our volunteers find it more convenient to take away small projects to work on at home, perhaps in their garage or spare bedroom, as part of their volunteering and have the reward of seeing their work making a different at EOR.

Pictured below are two such examples; Richard has been working on three BR “tail lamps”. These lamps are an essential part of any railway, as one of these is carried on the rear of any train to show everyone that the train is complete, and on heritage coaches, what better than an original heritage oil lamp? Richard has carefully restored these back to their original condition, and one of these is sure to be on the rear of the first steam train out of Ongar!

Bob has been working on one of the sliding windows for Ongar Signalbox, and has brought in the finished item. He has carefully jointed the new replacement bottom to the original, strengthening it, and carefully replicating the details on the original, so once painted and installed, it should look very fitting on our Great Eastern signalbox.

Richard (left) and Bob, standing outside Ongar station with the items they have restored at their homes, all helping towards getting the railway open to the public

Meanwhile, playing the “away” games, EOR continues to take many opportunities to engage with the local communities, both to inform them of the exciting developments as we work to get the branch running passenger trains again, and encourage more people to join our friendly teams, to perhaps help with the restoration, train to become a Guard, signalman or even drive a steam or diesel locomotive!

The railway recently attended the Volunteer Action Epping Forest volunteering event at Epping Library, as part of National Volunteering Week.

EOR Stand at Epping Library, accompanied by Christine Ceyles of VAEF (Picture by Andrew Cook)

Also at the culmination of National Volunteering Week,
the EOR stand will be at the North Weald Aerodrome Community Day this coming Sunday 5^th June, (visit their website) giving another opportunity for people to find out more about their local heritage railway.