please empty your brain below
The former station building at Blake Hall belongs to the owner of the Epping Ongar railway, who made his money running rail replacement buses - so it's appropriate the fleet of vintage vehicles doing the Epping to North Weald run belongs to him as well!

Roehamster | 29.05.12 - 6:53 a.m. | #

I walked the first 26 miles of the Essex Way last Friday, from Epping to Great Leighs, and once over the M11 the only noise apart from birdsong that I could hear was the whistle of a nearby steam loco on a proving run before Saturday's grand opening. I kinda wish I'd delayed my walk by a day...

dg writes: The grand opening was on Friday. Sounds like a lovely walk, though.

THC | 29.05.12 - 7:13 a.m. | #

...and my aunt and uncle lived for several years in a house three minutes' walk from Ongar station. The story I'll always remember is that my father and uncle (London Underground train drivers both) saw scorpions on the platform at Ongar.

THC | 29.05.12 - 7:15 a.m. | #

@ THC, I have twice found scorpions on the platform at South Woodford, got the staff to remove them because some of the other passengers were terrified and getting hysterical, though as with spiders in the bath probably the scorpions were frightened too. staff aren't sure where the scorpions come from but they've been seen before. this hot weather might bring some more out.

amber | 29.05.12 - 10:08 a.m. | #

Thanks for the article :) We're glad you enjoyed your day. If you're willing to allow us some of your pictures (either credited or uncredited) we'd be most grateful. If you are willing, please email [email protected]

Paul Skinner | Homepage | 29.05.12 - 10:53 a.m. | #

Aw boo. And I waited a half-hour in Ongar for my other half to arrive so that we could have some lunch together. I could have been looking at trains instead...

THC | 29.05.12 - 12:42 p.m. | #

My great-grandfather worked at Ongar station - I was told as a kid that he was the stationmaster, but I suspect he wasn't quite that senior. I'm also told that he was accompanied to work by a policeman during the General Strike.

Whatever the funding/subsidy issue, it seemed barking mad when they shut the line given the transport situation in the South East - I'm glad it's being used again.

JonnyB | Homepage | 29.05.12 - 2:11 p.m. | #

I wonder if they're ever going to have any ex-Tube stock on the EOR. I would assume that many LU fans would be appreciative of that given the history.

Having said that, I would doubt that they will, unless they reinstate the electrification (possibly to third rail like on the IOW) or somehow dieselise a Tube train. Both of which, of course, costs money...

RG | 29.05.12 - 4:04 p.m. | #

@ amber - they are clearly more widespread in west Essex than I knew! Every day is a school day...

THC | 29.05.12 - 8:20 p.m. | #

@ THC...and the station manager didn't seem at all concerned that they were on the platform without tickets.....

well it makes a change from k*tt*ns, doesn't it.

amber | 29.05.12 - 9:42 p.m. | #

Notwithstanding your rules on unsolicited emails, I hope comment no 5 above doesn't preclude you from making a return visit!

EOR (sounds like one of Winnie the Pooh's friends)

Timbo | 30.05.12 - 10:00 a.m. | #

Two vids from YouTube featuring the Epping - Ongar line...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6T26uAQGudE&feature=fvwrel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3hLhW05gJU&feature=related

Bernie | 02.06.12 - 1:08 p.m. | #











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