Epping Ongar Railway
The Epping Ongar Railway is a 6¼-mile standard-gauge heritage railway in Essex, running on the former Great Eastern Railway / London Underground Central line branch between Ongar and the country side of Epping. The branch was opened in 1865, electrified by London Transport in 1949, and operated as part of the Underground Central line until London Transport withdrew passenger services in 1994, making it one of the very last main-line / Tube line closures in Britain.
The first preservation effort began immediately after closure but had only limited success; the present operation reopened the line in 2012 after a comprehensive rebuild. The heritage operation runs from Ongar through North Weald to a new heritage terminus close to (but not connected to) Epping Underground station, with a frequent connecting bus service to the operating Central line. North Weald, a former wartime fighter airfield, is the principal intermediate station and headquarters.
The line operates with a fleet of preserved steam, ex-BR diesels, and notable LT 1962 Stock unit, and is one of the few preserved railways in Greater London / its hinterland.
History
London Transport closed the Epping–Ongar shuttle on 30 September 1994. A first preservation society reopened a short section of the line in the late 1990s for limited operation, but funding difficulties prevented sustained development.
In 2007 the operation was acquired by the present operating company, who carried out a comprehensive reconstruction of the line including new track, new station buildings, and the development of the heritage terminus at Epping. The reconstructed line opened to the public in May 2012.
Original line history
The line was opened in 1865 by the Great Eastern Railway as a rural branch from Loughton to Ongar. The branch came under London Transport control in 1948 with the New Works Programme, and was electrified to LT standards in 1949, the country end being electrified somewhat later. Services were operated as an extension of the Central line, latterly using 1962 Stock. Passenger numbers declined and London Transport closed the line in 1994.
Stations and infrastructure
Epping (Ongar Railway) is the heritage terminus, separate from the Underground station. North Weald is the principal intermediate station and headquarters, with workshops, a locomotive shed, and the former airfield adjacent. Ongar is the eastern terminus, restored in GER style.
Route and stations
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors
Special events and operations
The line runs regular weekend services with both steam and the heritage 1962 Stock, plus 1940s weekends, beer festivals, and Santa Specials.
Visitor information
The line is best reached via Epping (Underground Central line), with the heritage station a short walk from the Underground station; a heritage bus service connects on event days. Free parking at North Weald.