What's Happening at Epping-Ongar?

Here's a couple of pictures from my visit to EOR with family a few weeks ago.



Note the underground signalling, there is lots of LUL architecture along the line.. i hope this is retained, it really makes the line unique.
The pannier looked very at home, as does the 31 on the blue and grays.
Other positives are the vintage bus operation (complete with vintage bus stops) and the whole station presentation etc.
Very pram friendly

odd quirks..
that stainless steel carriage shelter on the run round loop at Ongar.. (pic 7 with the 31) though it must block the fumes from that estate ?
and the train literally passes through what looks like someone's backyard garage built over the running line at Blake Hall ? !.. (nice house conversion with Swimming pool / BBQ pit that is at Blake Hall).
the two Finnish loco's.. one of which is hanging off the end of the track.

requests.. more catering, shop, baby changing facilities.. also Ongar should get on board and sell itself a bit more.. we made it to the Cock tavern pub but didn't find the wooden church and whilst the town looked ok.. most of it was shut on sunday.

 

ADB968008 on behalf of all the team at EOR, many thanks for your kind comments and suggestions. We are pleased you enjoyed your visit, and EOR offers a unique and interesting day out for all the family - both with steam, diesel and heritage buses, all on "London's Local Line".

We have spent quite some time during the restoration to incorporate DDA friendly features, and this also has the benefit of being good for prams! The stainless steel shed at Ongar is on the site of the engine shed and this is planned to be replaced with a "Great Eastern" brick built example when funds allow.

Unfortunately the station buildings offer limited space suitable for catering and the requirements under the legislation surrounding this. We hope to improve the catering provision in the future (again, its back to those funds allowing!). We do have a Gift Shop in the station at Ongar, which sells a wide range of goods, and I agree that the Ongar traders should make more of the opportunities that are arising from the railway, and many have come on-board and updated their opening hours!

There are baby changing facilities at both stations, either in the ladies waiting room or ladies toilet, again lack of space affects where we are able to place these, but we have ensured these are portable for fathers who wish to use these.

Thanks again for taking the time to come and visit us, and we look forward to welcoming you down the railway again,

Simon

 

The 'Wooden Church' is at Greenstead-juxta-Ongar, a mile or so to the West of Ongar - see Greensted-juxta-Ongar

 

I was told on my visit that this is a temporary spray booth for painting the carriages. It has a platform either side. A very clever use of space i thought.

 

Just had another fantastic day riding on the EOR

Once again I was very impressed, this is really a railway going somewhere with enthusiastic and helpful, friendly people at the helm.

Wife and kids love it too as there are so many things to do and see.

Well done.

Stan