Upcoming Events

In addition to our regular steam and diesel hauled services, we also hold a number of exciting special events, from children's character days to enthusiast gala events. Santa pays a visit at Christmas too! Details appear below as our plans evolve. Tickets for these events can be booked from the event page.

For most events our connecting heritage bus services will operate from Epping Underground and Shenfield stations. Please check the event listing for details.

If there is no event shown on a particular date, do check our calendar as we may be running our standard steam and diesel hauled services.

View our Event Archive

Epping Ongar Lights Express

Various dates November 2025 to January 2026

A magical experience is coming to the Epping Ongar Railway this winter! Experience an interactive journey for the whole family like never before! GET YOUR TICKETS Join the fun onboard! Featuring "Voiceover Man" ...

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Santa Specials

Selected dates in December 2025

GET YOUR TICKETS!   --> Bring the family to see Santa on his special train with the fantastically festive Epping Ongar Railway Santa Specials! HE'S AGREED TO RETURN FOR 2025, SO IT'S ALL ABOARD FOR SANTA'S SPECIAL TRAIN! "This was by ...

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Evening Real Ale Trains

Various dates throughout 2026

Join our evening heritage train services and enjoy a journey through the Essex countryside with Real Ale available from our on board bar! The train will make a number of journeys between North Weald, Ongar and Epping Forest throughout the evening. We plan to have a selection ...

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Spring Steam Gala

17, 18, 19 April

Our annual steam gala takes place on 17, 18 and 19 April, with an intensive steam hauled service in operation. The home fleet of steam locomotives, along with visiting locomotives, come out to be put through their paces over some of the most challenging gradients in ...

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Wartime and Rationing Weekend

13, 14 June 2026

Visit the Epping Ongar Railway for a taste of life during wartime and rationing. Come and step back in time with us, immerse yourself in a flavour of what a rural British steam railway could have appeared in the height of summer, as 'forties-dressed civilians ...

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Autumn Diesel Gala

25, 26, 27 September

The diesel fleet come to the fore for three Autumn days of fantastic action over our challenging gradients! The home fleet, including our shunting locomotives, along with some interesting visiting locomotives will be put through their paces over some of the most challenging gradients in ...

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