Epping Ongar Railway

A few photos taken yesterday at @eorailway North Weald Station.

This is the long-closed Blake Hall station, on the former Epping-Ongar branch of London Underground’s Central line. (Now home to my friends Rog & Wendy). The heritage line in their garden is now @eorailway - which has run through here since the tube trains ceased: and each Xmas they run these epic illuminated light trains at weekends. Passengers can book from Ongar station for a party-themed trip suitable for families, kids and adults. This loco is a #ThomastheTankEngine lookalike - with numbers and face removed - converted Hunslet Austerity 0-6-0ST locomotive No. 3781… once known as Linda, but now often known to those familiar with it, as… Dave - from @Watercress_Line. ;) The illuminated train concept is not new: the @cta runs an annual Christmas Train on the L with electric stock and a Father Christmas Sleigh, but the first instance of a “train of lights” was on @DartmouthRR. . There, the team was inspired by the Coca Cola trucks advert and reckoned they could do something similar: I’ll be heading down there to see my friends running it soon. . There are tickets available at both @DartmouthRR and @eorailway and both of them are fantastic nights out- and a way to play trains like you’ve never experienced before. Do go take a ride! 😍

Great volunteers’ evening at @eorailway and the first outing this year for the Lights Express. New this year is the party train, running from 27th December to 4th January. Judging by the mood on board tonight it’s going to be a huge hit!

@YesterdaysBrit1 I'm pleased I travelled to Ongar when it was still in LT hands. However, it's worth a visit to the now preserved @eorailway!

@JoeBrownLondon @eorailway A view from the cab. I wasn’t driving!

#OnThisDay 44 years ago Blake Hall was served for the last time. In rural Essex, at the point of closure it only had 17 daily passengers. The station remains closed despite the @eorailway reopening the route, as it is a private residence. Image: ee20213 buff.ly/ERTbLpQ

@craftyglassldn @grimnorth Next ale train on 25 October! eorailway.co.uk/events/evening…

@grimnorth @eorailway Oooooooh!! Is this a regular thing??

I’ve had to break No Pub September because I’m going to a show tonight but it was £23.20 for a round of three pints so it’s gonna be No Pub For The Rest Of The Year after tonight

Some highlights from today’s running ⁦@eorailway⁩ some amazing locomotives on show. What a brilliant day at the steam gala.

Live getting shots of people on the railway... The driver of 926 'Repton' running around to tail an Epping service at North Weald this morning.

A thoroughly top day out - first time at @eorailway and very taken with the place - friendly and well run Lots of photos on my main camera to work through in the coming days 😎

Probably my favourite shot so far 20 227 next to the Ongar signal box earlier today 😁😁😁

🚄🚌 Re-engined Routemasters and big-engined classic traction. Must be the @eorailway Spring Diesel Gala… #EppingOngarRailway #BritishRail #dieselgala #classictraction #thrash #class50 #class03 #class08 #class14

❤️ Maroon. 💙🤍 Blue & grey. Don’t you just love it when traction and stock liveries match? @eorailway #dieselgala #BritishRail #BritishRailways #LondonTransport #class20 #class47 #class50

North Weald Station whilst still part of London Underground. Taken by Mr John Foreman. Now part of @eorailway.

Stuff of fairytales @eorailway

Pitchford Hall on Santa Special duties at @eorailway