Epping Ongar Railway

A presentation by Eddie Veckranges and Gary Sanders.

Our presentation this afternoon started with the history of the line. Originally this was primarily a freight line, as in those early days as passenger numbers were quite low. Ongar was an important station during the second world war when it was used as an evacuation point for children from the East End of London, bound for safer areas of the country. The underground tunnels on the tube line to Ongar were also utilised and turned into factories for making wartime munitions. Eventually, the line became part of the London Underground and the Epping to Ongar part closed to all traffic in 1994.
When preservationists took over the line in 2004 it was hoped that Ongar station could be returned to its original condition as it had looked in the 1900’s, this is still a long-term hope.
The line is now privately owned, its owner is also very interested in heritage buses and is therefore very enthusiastic to also keep the railway traditionally British. Epping station is a listed building so cannot be demolished, although TFL has thoughts for a new Epping station along with a multi-storey car park.
We rounded off the afternoon by looking at some of the special events the EOR have held for families, enthusiasts and those interested in railway heritage.

Dave Elsdon
Branch Secretary