Over 150 Years of History

The Epping-Ongar Railway (link) was opened in 1865 by the Great Eastern Railway (link), as part of a single track extension from Loughton to Ongar. It has survived two subsequent closures and two subsequent reopenings and reflects the changes in the transportation landscape since 1865. This timeline aims to summarize the main events, which, I'm sure you'll agree, make fascinating reading.

A busy day at North Weald with guest locomotive Met No. 1. about to head for Ongar.

Whilst the Epping-Ongar Railway has an excellent detailed visitor-oriented site (link), it was felt that this present page presents a hopefully useful summary of what is a complex sequence of events which shaped this heritage line - the closest to the Capital. Lest we forget the initiative of the erstwhile Great Eastern Railway (link), their splendid crest features on this and on most of these pages on this web site.

Events Over a Century and a Half

• Eastern Counties Railway (ECR) - 1839-1862
• 1839 - Eastern Counties railway commences operation (link)
• 1856 - ECR opens double track: Stratford to Loughton (link)


• Great Eastern Railway (GER) - 1862-1923
• 1862 - ECR amalgamates with other companies to form the GER (link)
• 1865 - Single track extension Loughton to Ongar (link)
• 1866 - Ongar Cemetery Opens (link) and (link (Ambitious Plans))
• 1892 - Loughton to Epping double tracked (link)
• 1923 - Grouping: GER transferred to LNER (link)


• London North Eastern Railway (LNER) - 1924-1947
• 1924 - Grouping: LNER commences operation (link)
• 1947 - LNER ceases as a company (link)


• British Railways (BR) - 1948-1997
• 1948 - Nationalization: LNER becomes part of British Railways (link)
• 1949 - Stratford-Ongar transferred from BR to Central Line of LTE (link)


• "London Transport" (see also link)
• 1948 - London Transport Executive (LTE)(1948-1962) takes over from LPTB (link)
• 1949 - Stratford-Ongar transferred from BR to Central Line of LTE (link)
• 1949 - LTE takes over EOR with steam (link)
• 1957 - LTE electrifies Epping to Ongar (link)
• 1963 - London Transport Board (LTB)(1963-1969) takes over from LTE (link)
• 1970 - London Transport Executive GLC (1970-1984) takes over from LTB (link)
• 1981 - LTE_GLC closes Blake Hall Station (link)
• 1984 - London Regional Transport (LRT)(1984-2000) takes over from LTE_GLC (link)
• 1994 - LRT closes Epping-Ongar Railway (link (Cutbacks and Closure))
• 2000 - Transport for London (TfL) (2000-present) (link)


• Pilot Developments Limited (PDL) - 1995-2007
• 1995 - Pilot Developments Ltd formed (see EOR Holdings below) (link)
• 1995 - Epping-Ongar Railway Holdings Limited Incorporated (link)
• 1998 - Pilot Developments completes purchase of line from LT (link)
• 1998 - Epping-Ongar Railway Limited Incorporated (link)
• 2004 - First service on EOR by Epping Ongar Railway Volunteer Society (link)


• Epping Ongar Railway Limited (EORL) - 2007-present
• 2007 - Change in ownership to Epping Ongar Railway Limited (link (Recent Developments))
• 2008 - Change in ownership to Epping Ongar Railway Limited (link (Heritage History))
• 2007 - EOR closes for refurbishment (link (Recent Developments)))
• 2012 - Refurbished EOR reopens (link (Resumption of Passenger Services))
• 2012 - GWR Hall & Large Prairie purchased for EOR steam (link)
• 2021 - Two Stewart & Lloyds saddle tanks join loco stud (link)

Local Dignitaries Intervene

At one time there were a number of plans to extend the EOR beyond Ongar. Proposals included: (1) Great Dunmow and (2) Chelmsford (via Writtle?) - connecting to the already existing GER line. (link (Ambitious Plans)).

The Loughton-Ongar line was completed in 1865. Access to a railway was sought after in those days, so - it is suggested according to local history (link) - a number of local "dignitaries" in Ongar were keen that the railway should not be extended beyond Ongar. The railway should serve Ongar but no places further north or east, even if other communities which would have benefitted from extending the line would therefore be deprived of railway access. According to this suggestion, the said dignitaries therefore purchased some land across the road from, and just east of, Ongar Station; they then ensured this land was ceded to the church to enable it to open (in 1866) the Ongar Cemetery, thus, of course, blocking any extension of the railway. If all this is correct, it will remain for history to judge how appropriate this intervention by the said local dignitaries may have been.

The Future

As befits a flourishing heritage line, the EOR has quite a number of plans. (link). Apart from additional rolling stock and associated restoration and new build projects, these plans include two new stations or halts.

• Epping Glade. London Underground Limited (LUL), is a wholly owned subsidiary of Transport for London (TfL). LUL is responsible for Epping Station which is a busy commuter hub. However, LUL could benefit from the wish of the expanding communities at North Weald and Ongar for rail access for its commuters - the EOR could be in a position to provide this rail access. In addition, LUL could benefit from (probably mainly off-peak) visitor traffic generated by the EOR. A possibility for the EOR is to build a new platform "Epping Glade" close to and within walking distance of LUL's present Epping Station. Technical and financial aspects are being considered.


• Coopersale. "Coopersale Halt" for Coopersale village is also being considered, subject to discussions between interested parties.