Ongar Railway Preservation Society

‘Epping Forest Railway’

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 thirteen 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 (09/08/06)

 

 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 4.00 pm.

 

(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