[Jun 6, 2022] 10th Anniversary and Steam Gala (Epping Ongar Railway)

The gradient profile can be found here: https://www.eorailway.co.uk/_img/pics/pdf_1510865824.pdf

 

A few that I have taken earlier this year to show some of the locations, trees and vegetation will no doubt be in full leaf now:
Marconi Bridge looking towards North Weald:

Bilsdens foot crossing looking towards North Weald:

Bridge near Ongar:


I do like the arrival shot with the signal box at Ongar, so long as no one stands in front of you! North Weald station is not bad for photos but will no doubt be fairly busy much of the time.

 

I'm looking forward to make my first visit in six years this weekend in particular on my own. Just a few things I need help to clarify I excuse if they are either ridiculous or odd.

1) I gather 80078 is rostered in place of turns that was planned for 9466 am I right?

2) Presuming 4953 and L.150 will remain facing Ongar. Any idea what way 75069 and 80078 are planned to face (obvs depends what way they come off the lorry)? And Isabel looking at recent images face Epping?

3) If there are any delays on the final trains of the day, will the shuttle bus at North Weald be held to allow for it so that people can go back to Epping station or will it depart at its booked time?

Thanks in advance

 

The plan is for 80078 & 75069 to face Epping with 4953 & L150 kept facing Ongar. 80078 will be in all of 9466's advertised paths.

Isabel is also facing Epping.

Buses and delays it can vary. A few minutes late running and the bus is usually held. As it's a registered service I believe it can't wait too long but I don't quite know how that side is managed/operated. If it isn't held for the train then an extra is usually run to get people back - we can't leave people stranded after all.

And as mentioned on Facebook, to aid operating the goods train we have borrowed a brake van from the Mid Hants for the weekend.

 

Making my first visit to the railway on Friday and very much looking forward to it. Still yet to plan how I'm going to plan my day as I'll be going via the tube at Epping.

 

Thank you for this. Quite looking forward to this gala

 

Buses during the day won’t be held, but those after 16.30 are unregistered additional services so will wait for any train they are supposed to connect with.

PS. Timetable updated to show 80078 instead of 9466. https://www.eorailway.co.uk/_img/pics/pdf_1654018465.pdf

 

Thank you very much for this. Can't wait for this one

 

I’m told that 80078 needs a fitness to run exam completing before being used, so 75069 will operate tomorrow, Thursday. However, there is a possibility that 80078 will appear in the afternoon and double head with 75069.
Both locos on site and facing Epping.

 

Unfortunately, some overrunning essential engineering work in the forest means westbound trains will be terminating just past the M11 Motorway bridge, for those who were thinking of visiting that end of the line for photographs.

 

For anyone coming by road from the east or north, I saw today there is a big music festival in Hylands Park just outside Chelmsford this weekend.

 

The guests have arrived:

 

We had a surprise guest today in the guise of Mr Tim Dunn, who graciously said a few words to open proceedings.

The Hall and 75069 also double headed the last round trip with 80078 on the back for its FTR run; the two 4MTs came back double headed before 80078 took over the last diagram run for further tests.

Tomorrow, the real fun starts! The freight train is ready for the morning.

 

Had a very enjoyable first visit to the line today. Didn't plan my day too well so didn't get a run behind L150 or as much running behind 4953. Found myself enjoying North Weald station, due to the number of aircraft (including a Spitfire at one point) regularly flying around and the lovely countryside with a herd of deer.

In regards to the Buses, I got on the last bus from North Weald to Epping and we waited for the last arrival back with 4953, however the loco ran short of steam on the approach and not knowing how long it would be before the train came in, it was decided to take those of us already on the bus back to Epping and then head back to North Weald and wait to pick up any further passengers when the train eventually returned.

Already looking forward to a return visit soon.

 

Some photos from yesterday:

 

Yesterday marked my first visit to the line since the 2016 gala when the 9F, 80072, 1744 ans "Jennifer" was running and it quickly asked myself why on earth I waited this long to come back.

Pretty enjoyed the day particularly with a nice run behind 80078 and 75069. Was a shame L.150 failed on the Friday as those who went on Saturday was greeted by 31438. As a person who loves the best of both it was a substitution I couldn't argue with. The timetable ran 20 mins late on the first trip but was caught up mostly by lunchtime.

But unfortunately there was a couple of relatively minor gripes albeit most not the railways fault. There seemed to be quite a lot of photographers who think they owned the whole space and the event despite the fact they didn't get to the point first.

Whilst I'm talking about people and photographers whilst waiting for the shuttle bus at Epping Underground Stn. A lot of people pushed in the queue even though a few including me was waiting for well over an hour. The bus was well filled but a second was called upon to cope with demand. Maybe its best during galas to advertise the first departure from Epping Underground as two buses?

On the very last smallish gripe. There was some confusion with regard to the shuttle bus timetable being different to what it stated online to what me and another passenger was told at the booking office. A very kind chap called Tony who volunteers on the line offered us both a lift in his car and a massive thank you to him.

As I say they are minor things I found but nothing all in the railways control. Had a fantastic day -- Seats was well filled and I really really cannot wait till a time I can come again...hopefully not six years this time. Credit to the volunteers for their fantastic hard work. Some images attached

 

Home at last after an exhausting but rewarding four days. There are a few areas for tweaking and improving in future, but certainly for the main 2 steam gala days the response from public and volunteer has been mostly positive (which makes all those last minute changes worth it in the end!)

I'm not sure what I'll do with my time now I haven't a timetable to work out; I guess it's back to work?!

 

Thank you for your plugging of this event on this forum. It looks to have gone very well and although I didn't get over for the gala in the end, you have definitely flagged up the Epping-Ongar Railway as an up-and-coming heritage line which is definitely worth a visit and some point in the (hopefully not too distant) future.

 

A few of my less-good ones from the weekend, from lineside and footpath areas.

 

Evening All,

I went to the Epping Ongar Railway last Saturday and, if anyone would like to have a look, the first four instalments of my video footage are now on YouTube:









The rest will be added as time permits...

TTFN,

Ron.