EOR announces TWO mainline steam locomotives are destined for the branch....

I've been following the EOR project for the last couple of years or so with much interest, especially since the bizarre Finnish stock/regauging plan that was being mooted a few years back was dumped, and a 'heritage' approach has been adopted rather than the previous DMU service.

It looks like the lovely historic buildings and stations are being beautifully restored to a high standard, and as this has become my nearest standard-gauge line I can't wait to pay a visit once they reopen to the public! I love the attention to historic detail, recreation of station trackplans etc.

Having said that, there are two issues I feel the EOR will need to be very careful about as they could bite the railway in the future. Firstly, the rapid collection of a large amount of stock, some of which appears to be in pretty poorly condition. Despite the best intentions, it is all too easy to become a linear scrapyard, an image that can be hard to shift. There is much to be said for quality over quantity! Secondly, an individual who has put a lot of resources into a volunteer organisation can see it as 'their' railway - this is something that should be kept in mind and very carefully managed.

The best of luck to EOR - there really aren't enough tourist railways in this area so I am delighted to see one take root, especially as it is now striving for quality of presentation after a few dead ends. Getting TWO ex-BR locos -stunning news - is now the icing on the cake, and I hope it pays off for the railway.

 

It is - the railway is not owned by the volunteer organisation. I guess in a setup like this the volunteers must have faith that the owner of the line will repay the value of their free labour through his long term commitment and investment in the project. So far so good!

 

I have to agree. From looking at their website and peering over the fence a few times (I am also local) the standard of work is very much up there with the top 5 heritage railways so its clear that they intend to do things properly. The amount of money that has been layed out without any passenger income has clearly been very large indeed and I do hope that it is all worth it for their main investor. Now, if only they could only get a little closer to Epping Tube station then the world would be their lobster........................

I fully intened to become a member once I have reduced my workload in the next two years.

All we need now is a date for the Grand opening.

 

I absolutely agree Pesmo. A steam railway and a good one too right on my doorstep (Im a Brentwood lad) is just great. Looking at how they are doing things its going to be well worth it.

Stan

 

Many thanks for your kind words, and I will pass your compliments onto our many volunteer teams that have been working so long and hard over the last few years to get the railway restored to the state you see in the recent press coverage.

When considering any potential acquisition, we have been careful to only obtain items which are within the capabilities of our team to restore (or are indeed already are or very close to usable condition). We have seen and turned down many "rust buckets", and am confident that everything fits within our "plan", either for this year or future "phases" (such as the three suburbans to make a branchline train). We are keen that everything on the railway (whether railway owned or private owner) has a clear and achievable plan, to have a purpose and to see it back into use.

...... Presmo and others, please do not hesitate to become a member of the society, there is no obligation to become a volunteer and you are kept in touch with developments, and are supporting us towards once again running passenger trains to Epping. Details on society membership are on Epping Ongar Railway - Membership

I look forward to welcoming you to the society, and in time, aboard one of our trains. )
Regards, Simon