Epping Ongar to mark 10 years of operation in style
THE Epping Ongar Railway
(EOR) is to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the reopening of the former London Underground line with a gala on June 2-5, which is set to include two visiting steam locos.
Severn Valley Railway based BR ‘4MT’ 4-6-0 No. 75069 and WR 0-6-0PT No. 9466 from the West Somerset Railway will work alongside EOR residents GWR 4-6-0 No. 4953 Pitchford Hall and Small Prairie No. 5521.
The Pannier and ‘Hall’ are due to top and tail on the Thursday, re-creating as closely as possible the opening train of May 24, 2012. A traditional steam gala will operate on the Friday and Saturday with all services planned to be steamhauled – while Sunday will see both steam and diesel locos in action. Diesel traction is due to include Class 37 No. D6729 (37029) and Class 31 No. 31438 (D5557, 31139).
A real ale train is booked to run on the Saturday evening. Inclusive connecting heritage bus services will operate from Epping Underground station (Central Line, zone 6) and Shenfield station (for TfL Rail and Greater Anglia services) to North Weald and Ongar on all four days.
Other attractions include double-heading; Class 03
No. D2170 operating brake van rides; a demonstration engineers train is set to include a Dogfish, Grampus, Rectank flat and a Shark brake van; and The Penny Salon Gallery at Ongar station will open with a photographic display celebrating the first 10 years of the EOR – admission is free.