A 30 mile day trip from London
Just 40 minutes ride from central London, the Epping to Ongar steam railway, https://www.eorailway.co.uk/ easily reached by the Central Line Metro train (underground). Once part of the London underground’s Central Line, this heritage line is home to a variety of vintage steam and diesel locomotives also period carriages. Owned by Roger Wright, who has a collection of vintage uses trading as the London Bus Company. He also owns one of the former stations on the Epping to Ongar steam railway at Blake Hall.
The journey is simple!
Starting from Liverpool Street or Stratford, the Central Line underground is direct taking 35-40 minutes to Epping station. Due to the town being on an escarpment, the station is situated in a valley some 20 minutes walk away. However, a single decker vintage bus owned by Roger Wright will take you from the station along the attractive tree lined main street to North Weald. The station here is restored to how it was in the 1940’s complete with original Victorian signal box. North Weald is the starting point for steam trips to Ongar and Coopersale just outside Epping. Here the railway intend to build Epping Forest station to connect with the underground to London.. A few minutes walk away is the North Weald aircraft museum. It commemorates the role played by the airfield in both world wars.
Steam train to Ongar
A relaxing ride through verdant countryside and fields, it’s a world away from the daily hustle and bustle. In 15 minutes you are at the terminus Ongar, the station restored to as it was in the 19th century. For Greensted church http://www.greenstedchurch.org.uk/history.html turn right down the High street to Bansons Lane. Here turn right into Bansons Lane to pick up the long distance footpath, the Essex Way. Twenty minutes later you arrive at the Saxon St Andrews church, Greensted, the 51 timber planks making up the nave dating back to 1060. Its history includes a Crusader grave from the 12th century and commemorates James Brine, one of the Tollpuddle martyrs, who settled here in 1839.
Return from Onger.
You can return back to Epping by steam train to North Weald, then bus or vintage bus all the way back to Epping or Shenfield stations. The price for all trains and vintage busses for the day is £14.00 except on special events days £25. The railway is open weekends from Easter to October and some weekdays during school holidays.
