The Day

The sun was making its presence felt among light clouds when I caught the 339 from Shenfield to North Weald. It was a good omen for the day. Visiting on the EOR today was the sole surviving Gresley's N2 class N2 0-6-2. Comings and goings on the EOR were ably supported by the resident diesels - namely split head code Class 37 and the Class 205 DEMU (Thumper). The sun made the attractive Essex countryside through which the rail journeys to Ongar and Epping Glade passed, even more attractive!

Sole survivor of Gresley's N2 class seen in the Ongar sunshine, running around its train ready for the return journey to North Weald. (See also Wikipedia.)

Arrive

The bus journey on the London Bus Company's RTW 75 though the verdant ebullience of late spring, brought out the attractiveness of this part of Essex. On leaving Shenfield, the route passes through the village of Kelvedon Hatch, known for the "Secret Nuclear Bunker" and for the 18th Century Kelvedon Hall. Once in (Chipping) Ongar, it is a few more miles across open country, before reaching North Weald Station.

It's a pleasant leafy journey between Brentwood and North Weald.




In Kelvedon, the first road to the left
eventually doubles back on itself to reach the "Secret Nuclear Bunker".
The next road on the left, behind the signpost, leads
to the gateway to the grounds of Kelvedon Hall. (See also Wikipedia.)




Elegant entrance to the grounds of Kelvedon Hall.




There's more leafy countryside before reaching ...




... Chipping Ongar from the south.




Ongar High Street.




More open country before reaching North Weald Station.




In the forecourt of North Weald Station, I got this picture of
London Bus Company's 8 feet wide RTW 75,
which brought me on route 339 from Shenfield Station.




Here's an off-side view of RTW 75.




Here's RT 3228 in Greenline Livery, also on route 339.
Compared to the RTW, RTs are only 7 feet 6 inches wide.

North Weald Station

At North Weald Station I had a nice introduction with a picture of a GER icon - a Claud Hamilton. On the operations side, two of the three contributors to today's services - namely visiting Gresley's 0-6-2 class N2 tank (with train) and a class 205 DMU (Thumper) were in platforms 1 and 2. The footbridge connecting the two platforms looked close to completion - just awaiting some final touches before echoing to the sounds of passengers' eager footsteps!

North Weald Station, as do other stations on the EOR from Epping to Ongar, have a GER architectural style dating back to 1865 when the line first opened. Indeed, this station building looks very similar to that at Blake Hall. (I took this picture on my departure at the end of the day, but it also fits in here to accompany my "arrival" pictures).

The later day presentational style of the station is that of the LNER.




Inside the station, there was a picture of a GER icon, a Claude Hamilton. This one, number 1870, built in 1902, was an early attempt to use oil instead of coal. (The environmental and economic considerations in 1902, of course, differed from those over a century later.)
Indeed, the caption reads, "Oil-Fired Express Locomotive, G.E.R^Y".

"Claude Hamiltons" were used on express trains from Liverpool Street to destinations such as Ipswich and Norwich. They will probably not have hauled more local trains to Ongar, but, being a GER icon, they deserve a picture at North Weald Station!




This appears to be an exact copy of, or have the same source as, the picture at Ongar Station. The picture at Ongar is in a different frame and mount and has the added caption, "Mr JAS Holden, M.I.C.E., Locomotive Engineer, Stratford". Stratford, of course, was the location of the main engineering works of the G.E.R..

The source of both pictures - at Ongar and North Weald - seems to have been a painting. The signature in orange, at the bottom right of the framed versions probably is that of the artist, but unfortunately, deciphering the signature could be challenging!

This picture, as you see, is taken digitally from the previous, framed, picture just above.
I have taken the liberty of identifying more clearly
the cab roof, which the G.E.R. - rather annoyingly - painted white!




North Weald - Looking towards Epping Glade
Upper quadrant semaphore signals
control the western (Epping) side of North Weald.




North Weald - Looking towards Ongar
Footbridge soon to be inaugurated!
Peak Class Diesel heads line of diesel rolling stock in siding beyond bridge.




North Weald - Looking towards Epping Glade




North Weald - Looking towards Ongar




The Thumper approaches North Weald from Epping Glade.
The water crane seems to have merged with the signal!




This is the only Class 205 with a corridor between both carriages.




The Class 205 is waiting for the N2 from Ongar.




The N2 has arrived with its train from Ongar.

Class N2s, including this one, have London connections.
Their condensing arrangement enabled them to work suburban trains in the tunnels between
Finsbury Park (GN line from King's Cross) through to Moorgate on the City Widened Lines.




The N2's head code still indicates "local passenger train".
It looks as if the N2 will be running round its train for a subsequent return to Ongar,
perhaps displaying the "running light engine" code as it does so.




In the meantime, the Thumper is ready to depart for Ongar.

Ongar and Back with Thumper

It's a pleasant very green "not quite summer" run to Ongar and back. The Thumper did the honours. The line of elegant Victorian lamps was the greeting at Ongar. Coming back, the interesting signal standing guard outside North Weald Station caught my attention.

The green landscape ...




... shows that summer is coming!




More green landscape to the north towards Blake Hall (the house) and Bobbingworth.




Ongar.
Elegant Lamps. Parking space for MK1s and MK2s.
Two tracks to the south before reaching the new houses.




Leaving Ongar.
"Crane Swings. Keep Well Clear", is the message!
The crane jib has to work over a suitably large radius without "toppling over"!




"Sumer is icumen in. Lhude sing cuccu".
(13th century Summer Canon or Cuckoo Song. (see))
Can't see the cuckoo, but summer is getting closer!




More greenery. Cuckoos hiding!




Coming into North Weald Station.




Here's a close-up of the signal protecting the eastern approach to North Weald.

Railway Signalling is, for obvious reasons, of great importance to the operation of
most passenger and freight carrying railways.
Installation and Operation of railway signals are highly skilled and legally responsible activities.
At present, types and practises of Railway Signalling vary from country to country.
UK railway signalling conforms to the "GE/RT8000 Rule Book".

However, my humble understanding of the picture here is as follows.
North Weald is already in view. At the top of the signal post, the Junction Indicator shows the 1st left route to the sidings on the south side of the line. Below that is a Two Aspect Colour Light Signal - which is operational. Further down, the black object on the right with two diagonally placed "lights" makes up the Ground Position Light Signal (see this link); to its left is the Proceed Aspect (rectangular screen). These two work together: typically, the appearance of the lights (showing the correct formation of the shunting route) is followed by an "OFF" indication on the Proceed Aspect. Below that, the number of the signal is given by "NW/20" (white characters on black).
At the bottom we have the maximum speed in mph with which the left route(s) may be entered (this is the Diverging Permissible Speed Indicator).

These are my interpretations (as an interested layman) on a best-efforts basis,
but these interpretations do NOT constitute any legally binding statement!!




While the Thumper was in Ongar,
the N2 has run round its train, ready to go to the same destination.
The head code shows "local passenger train".

Shortly, the Thumper will proceed to Epping Glade.




From the Thumper at Platform 2, I was able to get
this and the next shot of the N2 at Platform 1.




Inside N2's cab there is a display of the pipes, gauges and levers
which the driver and fireman need to master to bring life into the iron horse!

Epping Glade with Thumper

After Ongar, the Thumper is continuing to Epping Glade. The Thumper can be driven from either end, so reversing out of Epping Glade does not require top-and-tailing. It is May-time, so on the journey, the greenery at this time of the year shows all the anticipation of Summer, as per the above-mentioned (Cuckoo Song).

On the left (south) side it could be Roughtalley's Wood.




Some more "open country" hiding behind the greenery on the left.




Close to Coopersale.




Still close to Coopersale.




Here is the Stonard's Hill Overbridge.
The speed restriction sign on the bridge support
to the left of the track says 10 - mph or Km/h.




A little way to go ...




... before we reach the Stop Board.




This as close as we shall get to the actual LUL-EOR boundary today.
On the left is the Stop Board marking the start of the radio token section.




A short pause before returning from Epping Glade to North Weald.




It's North Weald!




It's either back to Epping Glade or
Changing to Platform One at North Weald.
Too early for the sidings?
Left hand upper quadrant semaphore signal says "clear".




In the station forecourt, RT 3228 alias KYY 957, awaits its next turn on
route 339 linking Epping, North Weald and Shenfield.




Departure not quite yet.

North Weald to Ongar with the Class 37

This journey to Ongar was another component for completing my motive power trilogy for today. There were some more shots of North Weald receding in the distance including a vanishing trick. A view of Blake Hall station with half a platform was another element. Finally, at Ongar, the N2 was preparing to take the train back to North Weald. The interplay between N2 and the "37" on the run between Ongar and North Weald is reminiscent of the Jazz Trains introduced in 1920.

Everyone seems to have come aboard for Ongar.




Looking back to North Weald.




On leaving North Weald here's a view of Class 31 number 31438.
Where is the North Weald footbridge? The case of the vanishing footbridge!
Well, the station footbridge is there in the background, but masked by the trees beyond!





Blake Hall Station has regained half a platform.
After Blake Hall Station closed, trains kept stopping there.
Hence "London Transport" eventually decided to remove the original platform.
(My apologies for the slightly fuzzy picture!)




Here's our N2 - waiting at Ongar to take the train back to North Weald.
Class G Head Code - Light Engine.

The Class 37 diesel will reposition at Ongar in readiness for when
the N2 arrives at Ongar with the next N2 service to Ongar.
The Class 37 will then head back to North Weald with the N2 at the tail.

Ongar to North Weald with the N2

This journey back to North Weald would complete my "motive power trilogy" for the day. N2 was waiting at Ongar. I had the opportunity to get some closeups of the N2 before departure. On the journey itself I got some "action piccies" of the N2 steaming through the Essex countryside.

N2 running light to the North Weald end of the train.




Light running N2 in "full frontal".




N2 backing on to the North Weald end of the train.
View of Ongar Station towards the east and destinations that were not to be!




Steam engines normally proudly carried their brass manufacturing plates.
The North British Locomotive Company in Glasgow
were builders of steam locomotives for the Empire.




In the cab there is some of the plumbing which confronts the engine driver.




Open to public gaze are some of the rods and levers needed
to give movement to our iron horse.




Nice lettering on the locos of old.
Nowadays, probably transfers, but still looking nice.




Last minute checks.




Almost ready for North Weald.
Class B Head Code. "Local" Passenger train.




N2, Ongar visitors, lamps and signal box.




Looks like we're on the bridge over Cripsey Brook, just outside Ongar.




Two Aspect Colour Light Signal on green.
Clear Road ahead!




caption




North of Greensted and Greensted Green




Still North of Greensted and Greensted Green




Coming up to the overbridge before Blake Hall Station.
(Overbridge for the road between Greensted Green and Bobbingworth.)




Finally arrived at North Weald, Platform 2.




Uncoupling at North Weald, in readiness for running around train.

North Weald Station

At North Weald, I saw the N2 change train ends and depart for Ongar. Then some of the bus fleet in the station forecourt caught my eye. Eventually, the Class 37 returned from Ongar, with the N2 tailing. The combination arrived at platform 1, from where, after unloading passengers, it appeared to be heading for the sidings after a good day's work.

Train at Platform 2.
N2 running round past platform 1. Lamp to be changed.




Points changed. N2 backing on to Ongar end of train.




N2 backing on to Ongar end of train.




Head code lamp now indicates "local passenger train".




Getting ready to depart.




Off to Ongar!




Yes, it's North Weald in Great Eastern colours.
It's rural to the south.




Here's the station building.
Dates to 1865, but the presentation is LNER.




Two of the bus fleet are here.
This one is definitely an AEC.




There is RT 3228, or KYY957 to the vehicle registration guys.
Fleet and registration numbers have stayed together for decades.
At least since 1957 and probably since the chassis was built.




RT 3228 is in "London Country" livery, which matches the "Greenline" colours.




There is also a representative from South Wales and Gloucestershire,
bearing the livery of the Red & White Services.




Both manufacturer and destination of this vehicle are "Bristol".
The bus stop beyond seems to be in "lean to" position!




Split head code D6729 enters North Weald Station with a train from Ongar.
D6729 is a BR Class 37 loco whose newer "TOPS" number is 37029.
On this service, D6729 is top-and-tailing with the N2,
which is just about discernible at the other end of the train.




Nowadays head codes have been developed to display
more information than their steam age counterparts. Here we have the following.

1  = Express passenger service (or postal)  
L  = Norwich/Cambridge/Stansted Airport  
24 = Train No. (even one way, odd the other)




The train might be for Epping Glade.
The N2 is tailing and showing appropriately, a tail light.




Train is still waiting for Thumper to come from Epping Glade.
(Platforms at North Weald are staggered.)




The N2 gives off a bit of steam.




Slight move back to Ongar.




Moving in the direction of Epping Glade,
now the Thumper has arrived at Platform 2.

Good Bye

In the station forecourt, "The London Bus Company's" Routemaster has arrived, so it's time to depart. On the return to Shenfield, route 339 first passes by the four centuries old "King's Head" hostelry, which is at the top of the approach to the station. Then it's open country until Chipping Ongar. More leafy roads before reaching Shenfield. A nice journey back at the end of a nice and educative day.

Here's RM 1966, alias ALD 966B of "The London Bus Company".




The adverts on the front of RM 1966 make it a sort of
roving ambassador for the EOR.




Close to North Weald Station, we see our old friend Henry VIII!
Parts of his half-timbered inn are almost 450 years old.
Well, it's 474 years between now (2021) and his demise (1547),
so, if I'm right, he will have missed the inn by a few years!




On the A414 we are in to open country.




Signs to Greensted and Toothill on the right.




Ongar High Street from the North.




More of Ongar.




Leafy journey to Shenfield.

The Great Eastern lives on!