Epping Ongar Railway 150th Anniversary 24th-26th April

The Epping Ongar Railway will be holding a gala to celebrate 150 years since the opening of the branch between Loughton and Ongar option Friday the 24th April till Sunday the 26th April 2015.

Visiting engines announced so far are:
- GNR N2 1744 courtesy of the Gresley Society
- NER J72 69023 "Joem" courtesy of NELPG

The gala team are working hard to secure another visitor.

Hopefully, there may be the chance for demonstration freights and steam top and tailed to Coopersale.

Any questions feel free to ask - but it is an event not to be missed...

 

Our resident Large Prairie no.4141 will also be running at the event.

 

Looks like a good event, hope to be able to make it. The N2 was great there last time it visited.

 

Final visitor announced as the NNR's 0-4-0 Y7 no.985.

A strong LNER feel to this gala. I can't remember when the Y7 or the J72 were seen this far south.

 

Will/Could the Y7 be used on Driver For a Fiver?

 

The J72 made it to the Colne Valley Railway in 2011.

Looking forward to this event. Now definitely in attendance

 

I think the plan is for it to work brake van rides, short freights and station pilot at present, unsure what the contract says about drive for a fiver.

 

I know it's went to the Swanage Railway in it's last ticket, but on this ticket has it gone further south than the Colne??

Advance tickets aren't on sale yet, will notify all when they are

 

Thanks for the info - Really looking forward to this event!

 

Advance tickets have gone on sale at the website below:

http://eorailway.co.uk/events/special-events/

The steam crews held an MIC today which involved route learning on the north Weald- Coopersale end of the line in preperation for the gala weekends this year.

 

NER J72 69023 "Joem" courtesy of NELPG arrived and unloaded at North Weald MPD

 

GNR N2 1744 courtesy of the Gresley Society arrived yesterday (Thursday). Only one more piece of the jigsaw puzzle left to arrive. There are work parties this weekend to prep the engines already on site, whilst we have our diesel gala.

 

Are there any extra buses running for this event? Im after an earlier/later bus for shenfield

 

I believe we are running a standard bus service on that day. So first Bus from Epping is 0930 and Shenfield at 1030. Last bus from North Weald to Epping is at 1655 and last bus from North Weald to Shenfield is 1650 or 1701 from Ongar.

Hope that helps!

 

Looking forward to this & should be visiting on the Sunday. Just wondering what direction the locos are facing?

 

Just to be clear, there's no access by car at North Weald is there? I was going to park somewhere in Epping and get the bus as the website suggests, but not sure about that plan if the last buses back leave before the last EOR trains get into North Weald as I'd like maximum time at the gala. Is there a parking option further away from North Weald station that you can walk from? Or am I better off starting/finishing at Ongar?

 

I believe the N2 and 4141 are facing Epping and Joem is facing Ongar. Y7 arrives early next week, so unsure which way round it'll be

There is very, very limited parking at North Weald. There are many residential roads where you can park for free around North Weald, but Ongar may be your best bet.

 

Thanks for the info Joe. I will suss out parking around North Weald as I really want to be there till the very end if possible but don't want to infuriate the railway's neighbours. Have to do this one by car as itinerary either side of the EOR visit isn't as easy by train/bus.

 

Outrageous plug coming up. The Battle of Britain Locomotive Society will have its fund raising stall in the marquee at North Weald on Saturday and Sunday (Friday too if we can get a couple of volunteers) so do come and say hello and perhaps spend some money too.

 

What is the connection status between EOR and London Underground?

A news article posted yesterday on the EOR's website states:

but I was under the impression that stock had been transferred by rail for an event held last year.