Epping Ongar Railway is Essex's longest heritage railway and the closest to London, running from Ongar to North Weald and into Epping Forest. They run a fleet of former mainline steam and diesel locomotives which haul a range of period coaches between the beautifully restored period stations. Free virtual serial ports. Upcoming Events. In addition to our regular steam and diesel hauled services, we have special events on some weekends. Details appear below as our plans evolve.
We love illuminations, and we double love trains, so we're thrilled about a new event coming to the Epping Ongar Railway this Christmas.
Epping Ongar Light Fantastic is a chance to ride a special illuminated train on the railway's route, beginning at North Weald station. Ogle the train from the outside before boarding, then sit back and enjoy trackside illuminations from the windows as you wind through the Essex countryside on the one-hour trip. Basically, it'll be like starring in your own version of the Coca-Cola lorry advert, with added trains.
Covered in colourful illuminated trails, the train looks like Santa's elves threw up on it — and we mean that in the most magical way possible. The pulsating light snake will be hauled by either a steam or diesel locomotive, ensuring the train geek box is firmly ticked too.
Tickets are £20 per person, and due to social distancing guidelines, tickets can be sold in groups of four or six (alas, tables for just two have sold out, meaning you'll have to bring a couple of hangers-on if you're planning a date night).
Epping Ongar Light Fantastic runs selected dates 20 November 2020-2 January 2021. It's selling out fast, so book pronto. See other dazzling light festivals in and around London this winter.
Picture above: The group have secured a train like this one, which have been running on the Isle of Wight (Credit: Daniel Nash)
A preservation group is hoping to return a vintage tube train to the Epping Ongar Railway.
The last London Underground-operated train left Ongar, Essex over a quarter of a century ago after the line was closed in 1994.
The London Transport Traction Group was set up in May 2020 with the aim of getting a vintage tube train to run on the line again.
The group explained that the trains they were looking for were 'not easy to come by', but added that they have been able to secure a train from the Isle of Wight, the type of which would have run on the Ongar branch in the late 1950s.
Since 1967 a number of second hand London Underground tube trains have been used on the ‘Island Line' on the Isle of Wight, from Ryde Pier Head, to Shanklin.
These trains are now due to be retired in January 2021, and the London Transport Traction group has said it has secured a 2-Car Class 483 train for preservation.
The group plans to restore the train and convert it to battery operation so that it can run on the Epping Ongar Railway.
Epping Ongar Railway
Daniel Nash, secretary and founder of the London Transport Traction group, said: 'For us this is truly wonderful news, but it also represents only the first step in our journey that we hope will soon see a class 483 train, cosmetically restored to 1950s London Transport condition, running on the Epping Ongar Railway under its own power and visiting galas around the country.
Picture above: The group have secured a train like this one, which have been running on the Isle of Wight (Credit: Daniel Nash)
A preservation group is hoping to return a vintage tube train to the Epping Ongar Railway.
The last London Underground-operated train left Ongar, Essex over a quarter of a century ago after the line was closed in 1994.
The London Transport Traction Group was set up in May 2020 with the aim of getting a vintage tube train to run on the line again.
The group explained that the trains they were looking for were 'not easy to come by', but added that they have been able to secure a train from the Isle of Wight, the type of which would have run on the Ongar branch in the late 1950s.
Since 1967 a number of second hand London Underground tube trains have been used on the ‘Island Line' on the Isle of Wight, from Ryde Pier Head, to Shanklin.
These trains are now due to be retired in January 2021, and the London Transport Traction group has said it has secured a 2-Car Class 483 train for preservation.
The group plans to restore the train and convert it to battery operation so that it can run on the Epping Ongar Railway.
Epping Ongar Railway
Daniel Nash, secretary and founder of the London Transport Traction group, said: 'For us this is truly wonderful news, but it also represents only the first step in our journey that we hope will soon see a class 483 train, cosmetically restored to 1950s London Transport condition, running on the Epping Ongar Railway under its own power and visiting galas around the country.
'This will enable us to take a tube train where none has ever gone before, allowing us to introduce the joy of the 1938 Tube stock to new audiences.
'To do this we require donations. Our pledge scheme has been very successful, but we still require support.
'Although these are difficult times for many, we would greatly appreciate any assistance that you may be able to offer to our innovative and youthful project that has the potential to lead the way in electric railway preservation.
'We have exciting plans for our train and hope that the unique experience we'll be able to provide will draw even more visitors to the Epping Ongar Railway.'
A spokesperson for the Epping Ongar Railway said: 'Given our strong links with the Underground we're very excited about the possibility of seeing a unit like this run under its own power.
'Though we're some way away, the concept of bringing tubes back to our line is something that we support, after all we did just that in 2014.'
Epping Ongar Railway Christmas
More information on the preservation group's plans can be found on its website.
Epping And Ongar Railway
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