Epping Ongar Railway
Heritage railway on a former London Underground branch with steam and diesel trains and vintage London buses between Ongar and North Weald.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The line was opened by the Eastern Counties Railway, later part of the Great Eastern Railway: a double-track route from Stratford to Loughton opened in 1856, and a single-track extension to Ongar followed in 1865. In the late 1940s the London Underground Central line was extended to Epping, while a steam shuttle continued to run to Ongar. In 1957 the branch was lightly electrified, but falling passenger numbers led to the closure of Blake Hall station in 1981 and of the whole Epping to Ongar section by London Transport on 30 September 1994.
After the closure the line was bought by a private company, but no trains ran. In the early 2000s volunteers of the Epping Ongar Railway Volunteer Society began to repair the neglected buildings and track, and on 10 October 2004 the first passenger train left Ongar. After a change of ownership in late 2007, trains stopped while the infrastructure was rebuilt to allow locomotive-hauled services again.
Today the railway describes itself as the longest heritage railway in Essex and the only heritage railway on a former part of the Underground network. The Grade II listed Great Eastern Railway station at Ongar, dating from 1865, is painted in its original colours and is believed to be the only original operating station to keep them. A single ticket gives unlimited travel all day on steam and diesel trains and on vintage London buses that connect with Epping Underground station.
Highlights
- Steam and diesel trains on a former London Underground branch line
- Vintage London buses linking Epping Underground station with North Weald
- Grade II listed 1865 Great Eastern Railway station at Ongar
- Start of the London Underground distance markers, every 200 metres from Ongar
- The Penny Salon micro-gallery at Ongar station
- Adventure trail quizzes at both stations
Permanent exhibition
- The Penny Salon – A micro-gallery at Ongar station showing topical photographic displays, open from January to October whenever trains run; admission is free.
- Operated by
- Epping-Ongar Railway Holdings Limited
Admission & discounts
| Visitors with disabilities | –One carer travelling with a full-fare paying registered disabled person pays half fare; other companions pay the full price. |
|---|
Fares differ by date and event and are shown with the timetable for each operating day when booking online through TYG Tickets. A travel ticket gives unlimited travel on the trains and the vintage buses all day; a travel or platform ticket is needed to enter the platforms (platform tickets are not sold for some special events).
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Visitors with disabilities and wheelchair users are accommodated, and carry chairs can be taken on the trains; staff will give assistance. Step-free access has been provided to the Ongar station building, but the listed 1865 building has no wheelchair-accessible toilet; there is a new disabled toilet in the outlet building at North Weald and one in Ongar High Street, 400 yards from the station. Limited parking for disabled passengers must be booked in advance. Well-controlled dogs, guide dogs and assistance dogs are welcome at no extra charge, but only assistance dogs on dining trains.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Stroller-friendly
- Baby changing facilities
The railway calls itself a family-friendly attraction for all ages, with special events and Santa Specials. A fun adventure trail quiz with multiple-choice questions is available at both stations (scan the QR code at the booking office). Baby-changing equipment is in the family room or ladies’ waiting room at Ongar and North Weald.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Epping Underground station (Central line)
Take the London Underground Central line to Epping (zone 6); vintage London buses leave from outside Epping station and connect with the trains at North Weald and Ongar. From April to October buses also run from Shenfield railway station for connections with the Elizabeth line and Greater Anglia services. Typical journey times from central London are listed on the website.
By car
Parking available
There is very limited parking at the stations, with priority for Blue Badge holders. Public car parks in Ongar (postcode CM5 9AB, charges may apply) are a short walk from the station, or park at Epping station (CM16 4HW, charges apply) and use the bus.
- Accessible parking
The main station and railway office is at Ongar station, Station Approach, Ongar, CM5 9BN. Cyclists are welcome and can take bicycles on the trains free of charge.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
Anglia café coach at North Weald (hot and cold drinks and light refreshments), the LNER Cafe, the Buffet Stop at Ongar and a picnic and viewing area at Ongar; picnic tables at North Weald. Gift shops are in the Ongar station building and in the outlet building at North Weald. Dining trains run on selected dates. Toilets are at Ongar and North Weald stations.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Photography | Cameras and video for personal use are encouraged on platforms and designated foot crossings; commercial photography and filming need permission. |
| Good to know | Educational visits and group visits can be booked by email. Driver and signal box experience days are offered. Pushchairs are carried in the guard’s compartment on the trains, and only folded pushchairs are accepted on the heritage buses. |
