Ongar Railway Preservation Society
‘
Chairman: John S Glover
ORPS was formed with the aim of preserving and reopening as a Heritage railway the ex London Transport Epping to Ongar line, which was closed in 1994.
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F5 at Ongar
Our voluntary society was formed fifteen years ago and currently contains approximately 300 members. We are linked with Cravens Heritage Trains, who run preserved LU tube stock and are restoring Epping signal cabin, and Holden F5 Locomotive Trust who are building a ex GER F5 locomotive. We are Heritage Railway Association members.
Latest News (02/10/08)
Open Day and Joint Social
There will be an open day on the line for ORPS, Cravens, Holden F5 Trust and EORVS members on Sunday October 5th starting at Ongar station at noon.
This will give an opportunity for members to visit the line and see the progress made. Also it will be a good opportunity for members of the various societies to meet and get to know each other better.
On Thursday 20th November there will be a joint social where each group will be able to outline their aims and activities and members can meet in a relaxed atmosphere.
Details are:
Date 20th November
Time from 8:00pm
Venue North Weald Village Hall lounge and Licensed Bar.
Light refreshments provided.
Line Has New Owner
In November 2007 the line, minus Ongar goods yard, was sold to a new owner, ORPS are holding talks with him and the local volunteer society (EORVS) to establish a joint way forward. We are hopeful a way of ensuring the line’s long term future can be found. The line has been shut by the owner for essential maintenance work.
Planning Application at Ongar Station Goes to Appeal – Please Help
The owners of the line have applied for a non-determination
hearing for their planning application - EPF/1740/2005 (Development
at Station Road, Ongar), this will be held by the Planning
Inspectorate and decide if planning permission will be granted. If, like us,
you are concerned about this application please raise your concerns with the
inspector. Anyone who wishes to object can write to:
The Planning Inspectorate
Room 3/16 Eagle Wing
Temple Quay House
2 The Square
Temple Quay
Bristol BS1 6PN
Please Quote Ref.
APP/J1535/A/06/2017026/NWF
You
can also email the Planning Inspectorate at enquiries@planning-inspectorate.gsi.gov.uk
Planning Application at Ongar Station Threatens Lines Future
The owners of the line have applied for residential
development on land at Ongar Station. This is Planning
application - EPF/1740/2005 - Development at
Station Road, Ongar, if granted
would take land away from the railway which is needed for any long term
development. This would severely restrict the land available for car parking,
workshops etc. The application is also contrary to the Districts Council’s
Local Plan as this land is allocated to railway use. ORPS has objected to the
application and we urge all friends of the railway to object as well. Anyone
who wishes to object can write to:
Head of Planning
Epping Forest District Council
Civic Offices
Epping, Essex,
CM16 4BZ
The ORPS Christmas Social was held on 8th
December in North Weald Village Hall where a talk and slide show was given by
Geoff Silcock.
(Oct 05) There was an open day starting at 11.00 at Epping Signal cabin next to Epping LU station car park (free on Sundays). About 30 members attended.
The day started with a tour of the cabin plus refreshments,
a tour of locomotive L11 then a bus took the visitors to see the two GER
coaches and returned to Epping about
(May 05) The planning application submitted was rejected by EFDC. This means the deal between Epping Ongar Railway Ltd and ECC will not be going ahead in it’s current form. ORPS is reviewing the situation.
(29/01/05) The planning application submitted in 2004 had some technical problems and EFDC was unable to make a determination on it. We understand a revised application has been prepared and will be considered by EFDC at a forthcoming planning meeting. Approval of this application will be conditional on the line, station buildings and supporting land being passed to the County Council.
ORPS is still in discussions with ECC to operate the line on the Council’s behalf and will bid to run the railway at the appropriate time.
(28/05/04) On Friday 28th May ORPS held as well attended AGM where Essex County Council’s Vice Chairman Gerard McEwen gave a very encouraging speech about ECC plans and the future of the Epping to Ongar line.
June’s Heritage Railway magazine contains a four-page article describing the history and current situation of the line. Available at newsagents or a summary on their web site at http://www.heritagerailway.co.uk/index.html
Deal and Planning application for Epping Ongar Line
(12/05/04) Since 2001 Essex County Council (ECC) has been negotiating with Epping Ongar Railway Ltd to acquire the Epping-Ongar line. These negotiations have come to a successful conclusion and agreement has been reached as to the division of the land at Ongar and North Weald between residential development and railway use. A planning application has now been submitted to Epping Forest District Council (EFDC - the local planning authority) and approval of this application will be conditional on the line, station buildings and supporting land being passed to the County Council.
A press release can be seen on EFDC’s website at http://www.eppingforestdc.gov.uk/
or http://www.eppingforestdc.gov.uk/news/railway.asp
The County wish the line to be run as a heritage railway and ORPS are
negotiating with ECC to operate the line on the Council's behalf.
ORPS has obtained options on one or more 3-car class 205 sets from Poterbrook leasing. These will be available Sept-Dec 2004. These units are also known as 'Hampshire's'.
As there are rapid developments this section will be updated as needed.
Links
Cravens Heritage Trains http://www.simon5596.supanet.com/
Holden F5 Locomotive
Trust http://www.holdenf5.co.uk/
Further information on Class 205 DEMUs.
http://www.hsups.org.uk/
http://www.therailwaycentre.com/index.html
The following sites have
further information on the Epping to Ongar line
http://www.londonrailways.net/ongar.htm
http://www.mphgate.demon.co.uk/lostline.html
http://www.abandonedstations.co.uk/
General Links
Heritage Railway Association ukhrail.uel.ac.uk/hra.html
General Railway site www.3443.co.uk