London’s heritage railway on the former underground line on the edge of Epping Forest. Follow & tweet us for the latest service updates, events and offers.
This is the long-closed Blake Hall station, on the former Epping-Ongar branch of London Underground’s Central line. (Now home to my friends Rog & Wendy). The heritage line in their garden is now @eorailway - which has run through here since the tube trains ceased: and each Xmas they run these epic illuminated light trains at weekends. Passengers can book from Ongar station for a party-themed trip suitable for families, kids and adults.
This loco is a #ThomastheTankEngine lookalike - with numbers and face removed - converted Hunslet Austerity 0-6-0ST locomotive No. 3781… once known as Linda, but now often known to those familiar with it, as… Dave - from @Watercress_Line. ;)
The illuminated train concept is not new: the @cta runs an annual Christmas Train on the L with electric stock and a Father Christmas Sleigh, but the first instance of a “train of lights” was on @DartmouthRR.
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There, the team was inspired by the Coca Cola trucks advert and reckoned they could do something similar: I’ll be heading down there to see my friends running it soon.
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There are tickets available at both @DartmouthRR and @eorailway and both of them are fantastic nights out- and a way to play trains like you’ve never experienced before. Do go take a ride! 😍
Great volunteers’ evening at @eorailway and the first outing this year for the Lights Express. New this year is the party train, running from 27th December to 4th January. Judging by the mood on board tonight it’s going to be a huge hit!
#OnThisDay 44 years ago Blake Hall was served for the last time. In rural Essex, at the point of closure it only had 17 daily passengers. The station remains closed despite the @eorailway reopening the route, as it is a private residence. Image: ee20213 https://t.co/GsLVQMZWSq
A thoroughly top day out - first time at @eorailway and very taken with the place - friendly and well run
Lots of photos on my main camera to work through in the coming days 😎