Heritage and Preserved Lines
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Epping to Ongar Railway.
North Weald Station on 23rd June 2018. Viewed facing Epping from the station footbridge.
The line from Epping to Ongar was opened by the Great Eastern Railway on 24th April 1865. After many years of steam haulage, both freight and passenger, the line was taken over by London Transport, and Ongar became the terminus of the Central Line. The first tube train ran on 18th November 1957.
With diminishing passenger receipts, the line closed between Epping and Ongar on 30th September 1994. After this, a group of volunteers formed the Epping Ongar Railway Volunteer Society. The track was repaired and the station buildings renovated. On 10th October 2004 the first trip on the preserved line took place between Ongar and North Weald. Between 2008 and 2012 a major restoration took place resulting in what there is today.
At present the line terminates in Epping Forest 100m short of the tube station. It is hoped eventually to build a new station closer to the underground station.
At present a shuttle service of ex London Transport vintage buses conveys passengers from the tube station to North Weald. I can well recommend a day out to this line. A good experience with friendly volunteer staff.
http://www.eorailway.co.uk
