EPPING AND ONGAR

Having watched a few videos I'd say it's probably a case of 'wrong time wrong place' with the photo, remember, it's takes a tenth of a second to take a photo, it's only a snapshot of how that locomotive was handled on that day.

 

I was at the railway on Saturday and was very impressed. Clearly a lot of money has been spent, and the quality of restoration is pretty high - even the lawn at North Weald was newly laid in turf. While there's still a lot to do quickly - the footbridge and signalling at North Weald and the run-round facilities at Ongar - I think the friendly volunteers can be very proud of what they have. I'll certainly be back to see the three train service over the Olpympics - presumably the signalling is a must for that.

While I was there I walked the paths from Ongar to North Weald to try out most of the crossing places for views of the line. There are some pics at :

EOR opening weekend - a set on Flickr

if anyone wants to see along the line.

Many thanks to the people at the railway - the shuttle service was great and everyone was friendly and helpful on the stations and trains.

 

Thanks for sharing. I can see why the Marconi bridge was popular, other locations looked very arboreal.

 

It's a bit high, though...

 

I'm a bit on the tall side. Stepladder job I presume.

 

No I just meant that the bridge itself is a bit high over the railway!

 

I see. A bit of height comes in useful for some shots though.

 

I think congratulations are needed to all. Another amazing heritage railway achievement.

What were passenger numbers like over the first weekend ?

 

EOR were visited by BBC Look East over the special resumption of service weekend, and the return of steam to the line was featured on tonight's edition. You can see it again on the BBC iplayer.... (scroll to 17 mins 40 sec): BBC iPlayer - Look East - East: 30/05/2012

 

How long is 6430 staying ?

 

There are now a good few videos on youtube which really show the standard of the work that has been done by the EOR. They are to be congratulated as there cannot have been many Heritage lines that have started from day 1 with such great facilities.

If they can only get themselves close enough to be within short walking distance from Epping tube station in the next few years then they will have every chance of long term success.

 

Personally, I think the vintage bus service from Epping to North Weald was part of the experience.

I was there on Saturday. The first train to Ongar was diesel-hauled as the steam locos weren't ready - no real complaint about that as the diesels would only be working to Coopersale later in the day so it was good to get them to Ongar, but disappointed when, on returning to North Weald, we found that the steam locos had worked the first train to Coopersale as I would have preferred to have been on that if I'd known it was happening. I realise this was just down to the situation on the day, but I wonder whether it could be made a regular (and advertised) thing on future gala days?

 

Thanks to everyone for your kind words, and the team are glad that you enjoyed your visits. We hope to keep up these standards and of course, hopefully one day (with the support of other stakeholders), manage to put in a platform at the Epping end.

Thanks also for the gala suggestion, which has gone down on my little list of ideas..... watch this space )

Simon, EOR