This coming Bank Holiday weekend, steam trains will once again ply the route along the Epping Ongar Railway.
Since the lockdown lifted, the heritage railway has been running diesel trains, so this will be the first time to fire up the steam engines since March.
On Sunday and Monday 30 and 31 August, they will be running short steam-hauled shuttle trips from North Weald station – a short bus ride from Epping tube station, or you can park at the station if driving.
You need to buy timed tickets in advance here – and trips cost £5 per adult or £2.50 per child – one way.
Due to the timed tickets system, the all-day pass is currently not available.
Steam shuttle services depart North Weald at 11:15, 12:00, 12:30, 13:15, 13:45, 14:30, 15:00, 15:45 and 16:15. Each trip lasts approximately 20 minutes, so do allow extra time at North Weald if you would like a ride on this train.
Steam locomotive Isabel at North Weald (c) EOR
The train will use one of the compartment coaches consisting of 7 compartments, and capacity will be limited to one household group per compartment on a first come first served basis. In line with government legislation, face coverings must be worn onboard the train services.
If you want to watch then, then steam trains will also be running on Friday and Saturday for crew training purposes. No passengers will be carried on the steam train on these days.
How do they get these ‘guest’ steam engines to the Epping to Ongar line? I don’t know of a link to any other rail line up there. Do they low loader them in? That must cost a fortune for a single day of fare paying rides.