London Shoes
  • Home
  • Recent Blogs
  • Categories
  • Archives
    • Archived Blogs
    • Monthly Archive
  • About Me
  • References
  • Reader’s Feedback
  • Contact Me
Menu

All aboard the “Epping-Ongar Heritage Railway”

Posted on August 30, 2018 by Geoff Clements Posted in Transport - Rail .

 

Today, Epping Station is the last stop on the eastbound section of the TfL Central Line tube, but years ago there was a branch line that went on to North Weald-Blake Hall and then Ongar stations.

Back in the early days of steam rail travel, the Great Eastern Railway operated a network of lines in the northern and southern areas of ‘outer’ London. These network often had numerous small additional ‘branch’ lines that transported freight and passengers to and from the sleepy villages.

In 1853 an Act of Parliament allowed the construction of a main rail line from Stratford in the heart of East London – out to Loughton in Essex.

This line was opened to passengers in 1856, and stopped at Leyton – Leytonstone – Snaresbrook – Woodford – Buckhurst Hill.

In 1859, an extension of this line was opened that took passengers to and from Loughton to Ongar.

In 1865, the line was extended further to Theydon Bois and to Epping – and stations were also added to North Weald and Blake Hall.

The ‘branch’ line between Epping and Ongar developed even further by 1888, with the introduction of new signal boxes at Ongar, Blake Hall and North Weald stations.

Usage of these newly extended lines increased rapidly by the late 1800’s / early 1900’s – with the journey time into central London being around 1hr to 1.5hrs.

Because these lines were serving what was then a ‘rural’ area – the use of freight trains was prevalent – delivering fresh milk, eggs, vegetables  and other farming produce, into the City where there was obviously big demand.

The railway sidings at Ongar and Epping stations were continually being built up – to deal with the many cattle trucks that were being used at that time – and engine shed and water towers were constructed to cope with the increased usage of the line.

With the intr4oduction of electrification – sub-stations were built – and by 1948 the line from London out to Epping and then Ongar, had become fully electrified. The overall steam service was finally withdrawn in 1957.

By the late 1960’s the ‘branch’ line from Epping to Ongar station, started to be used less and less.

By 1970, the branch line was running at a loss of roughly £100k per annum.

Quite simply, this once busy branch line between Epping and Ongar was becoming less and less cost effective as the years went by – and in 1994, the branch line between Epping and Ongar sadly closed completely – leaving the track and stations to fall into disrepair.

However, in recent years, this old branch line has been taken over by the ‘Epping Ongar Railway’ heritage group, who have put a lot of time, effort and money into restoring the entire route and all its old buildings.

They now run old steam and diesel engines and classic carriages, to and from North Weald and Ongar, and the whole operation is run by volunteers.?

At the start of the “Steam Heritage” tour an old Routemaster bus takes you from outside Epping tube station, to North Weald station, where you then board a steam train that takes you to Ongar.

When you reach Ongar, you can spend time strolling around this old Essex town – before heading back to the station where an old diesel engine will be waiting to take you back to North Weald.

Having had a cuppa in a stationery vintage buffet car, you can then board an old open-top single decker bus, that takes you on a 45min sight seeing trip through all the country lanes, back to Epping tube station.?

You don’t have to be a steam train enthusiast – This great day out for any age group

 

The old ‘339’ Routemaster bus – that collects passengers from outside Epping Tube Station – for transportation to the old North Weald heritage station

 

Passengers and voluntary station staff – on North Weald station, awaiting the departure of the old steam train and vintage carriages, to Ongar station

 

The now re-conditioned old signal box at North Weald station

 

The ‘Lord Phil’ steam engine – preparing for its journey from North Weald station to Ongar station

 

Passengers boarding the vintage carriages at North Weald in preparation of their onward journey to Ongar

 

A view down onto the tracks from the bridge at North Weald station – The bridge at North Weald, used to be across the tracks at South Woodford station – that bridge was replaced and this vintage one re-located at North Weald

 

Inside one of the vintage carriages – 1st Class for me of course 🙂

 

The sort of rural landscape views – on the journey=hey from North Weald to Ongar

 

Having reached Ongar – the old steam train gets ready to undertake the return journey back to North Weald

 

At Ongar station – the old steam train gets ready to undertake the return journey back to North Weald

 

The old steam train gets ready to undertake the return journey back to North Weald

 

The newly restored Ongar station

 

Another view of the restored Ongar station

 

Vintage advertising on display at Ongar station

 

More examples of vintage advertising on display at Ongar station

 

The restored Ticket Office at Ongar station

 

An old Great Eastern Railway embossed fireplace – in the waiting room of Ongar station

 

Examples of vintage advertising on display at Ongar station – this one depicting when the branch line between Epping & Ingra started, and when it closed down 🙁

 

Examples of vintage advertising on display at Ongar station

 

The restored signal box at Ongar station

 

A quick stroll around Ongar – before catching the train back to North Weald

 

Scenes from Ongar high street

 

Scenes from Ongar high street

 

Scenes from Ongar

 

Scenes from Ongar high street

 

The vintage diesel engine and carriages – arriving at Ongar, to return passengers back to North Weald

 

The vintage diesel engine and carriages – arriving at Ongar

 

Returning to North Weald – a chance to take a closer look at the newly restored old signal box

 

Old London Transport buses – lining up at North Weald station to ferry passengers back to Epping Tube Station

 

The old open-top single decker bus – at North Weald station, that takes passengers on a 45min sight seeing tour through the country roads of North Weald & Epping

 

The driver of the old open-top single decker bus – preparing for another sight-seeing journey through the country lanes 🙂

 

 

The old open-top single decker bus – at North Weald station – sets off on a sight seeing tour through the country roads of North Weald & Epping

Looking down on the heritage tracks at North Weald station

 

Me – in my vintage 1st Class compartment – traveling from Ongar to North Weald 🙂

 

Related

1 Comment
« The magnificent “St. Martin-in-the-Fields Church” – & some afternoon Jazz
“Zeppelins” – & the first ever aerial attacks on London – 1915 »

One Response

  1. Amanda says
    October 3, 2018 at 3:49 pm

    I simply want to say that your article on this topic is as amazing. The clarity in your publishing is just great, to the extent that anyone would think you’re a professional on this subject. Thanks a million and please keep up the great work.

    Reply

Leave a comment

Leave a comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Walk with us on Social Media



Reader’s Feedback

"If some one wishes to be updated with unusual histories of London then they must pay a visit to this site and be up to date with it all the time"

- Leonida (Feb 18)

Read More...

Recent Posts

  • End of Year 2020-Review – looking back at ‘London Shoe’s’ activities throughout 2020
  • *London Street Art-Pt 1 the “Mile End-Mural”
  • * The “Upminster Windmill” – its renovation and the lifting & fitting of its 4 newly restored ‘Sails’
  • *London’s “Lost Music Venues”-Part 5-the Vortex & the Roxy ‘Punk’ Clubs of Soho
  • * Remembrance Sunday 2020 & the amazing “Poppy Cabs”

London Shoes ©2021

Privacy Policy
Site by So Friendly Web Design