Great Western Workhorses - Spring Steam Gala17, 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 preservation, for three days of steam filled action!.
Great Western Railway Modified Hall class locomotive 6989 "Wightwick Hall" will be working alongside our own Great Western Railway Hall class locomotive 4953 "Pitchford Hall", allowing a contrast between the modified and orignal Hall class locomotives! Additonal visiting locomotive, large prairie locomotive, 4144 will provide a welcome return to a large prairie locomotive to our branchline, and will give a truly "Great Western Workhorses" theme. It will also be a rare opportunity to travel behind Hawthorn Leslie locomotive Isabel at the Epping Ongar Railway.
What to expect
An intensive service will operate, during which the engines will need to work hard on our challenging gradients. Services will additionally run until late evening on Saturday.
All trains will be running in conjunction with our fleet of vintage London buses, which will provide connections with Epping Underground and Shenfield National Rail stations.
Our on train bars will be also be open, serving a selection of draught beers, as well as a range of wines, lagers and soft drinks.
Footplate Rides
Join the crew on the footplate and experience a Great Western workhorse from the best seat in the house!
Tickets must be purchased in advance for a specific train offering a complete round trip on the footplate from North Weald to Epping Forest and Ongar. Footplate ride tickets include an All Day Rover so you can enjoy the rest of your day travelling "on the cushions" behind your favourite locomotive!
Please note: This is a footplate experience only. You will not be driving or firing the locomotive. Participants must wear long sleeved clothing and trousers and closed toe footwear (trainers are acceptable). You should not bring bags on the footplate due to limited room. Alcohol must not be consumed prior to your footplate adventure. The crew may refuse access to the footplate if they believe any participant is intoxicated.
The stars of the show!
VISITING LOCOMOTIVE
Great Western Railway Modified Hall class locomotive, 6989 "Wighwick Hall" in a red livery following it's star appearance in the Harry Potter TV series.
Locomotive appears courtesy of Quainton Railway Society and the Bluebell Railway
VISITING LOCOMOTIVE
Great Western Railway large prairie class locomotive, 4144. FINAL WORKINGS BEFORE EXPIRY OF BOILER CERTIFICATE
Locomotives appears courtesy of Dicot Railway Centre
Photo: K Felstead
HOME FLEET LOCOMOTIVE
Great Western Railway Hall class locomotive 4953 "Pitchford Hall"
HOME FLEET LOCOMOTIVE
Hawthorn Leslie saddle tank, 3437 "Isabel" working shuttle trains into Epping Forest.
LONG TERM VISITING LOCOMOTIVE
Hunslet locomotive, 2409 "King George" (to be confirmed)
Brake Van Rides
For an additional charge travel up close to the locomotive in our shark brake van which will be attached to one of the coaching stock sets throughout the event!
LNER Cafe at North Weald and the Buffet Stop at Ongar
Our catering outlets will be open all day. Hot snacks and other light refreshments and hot and cold drinks are available at the LNER Cafe at North Weald, including breakfast rolls until 11.30; the Buffet Stop at Ongar will be offering hot and cold drinks and other light refreshments.
The Penny Salon Gallery at Ongar station
The Penny Salon Gallery will be open featuring our new exhibition 'London Town'. Admission is free so why not take a look during the day.
Train and bus timetables
Train and vintage London bus times will available closer to the event.
Gradient Profile
Download our gradient profile.
Getting to us
PUBLIC TRANSPORT:
It's easy to get to us via the London Underground and Elizabeth Line and Greater Anglia services. Our inclusive vintage London buses will run from right outside the front of Epping Underground station (Central Line, zone 6) and from Shenfield station (for Elizabeth Line and Greater Anglia services), connecting with our train services at North Weald and Ongar stations. These will connect with the first and last train services, as well as running regularly throughout the day, so you will not miss a minute of the action! Timetables with bus times will be available shortly.
THERE IS NO CAR PARKING AT OUR STATIONS:
There is only limited car parking for disabled passengers at our stations, which must be booked in advance. Public car parks are available in Ongar (charges may apply), a short walk from the station (use postcode CM5 9AB); Alternatively passengers may park at Epping Station (charges apply) and join our vintage bus service (use postcode CM16 4HW).
More details on how to get to us.
Photographers
We encourage you to use your camera and video for personal use on our station platforms and designated foot crossings. For your own and our staff's safety, please do not leave the public areas or trespass on the lineside areas.
Fares
The following great value fares apply. All our tickets offer unlimited travel on all train and vintage London bus services on the day of your visit.
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In advance Adult: £27 |
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On the day Adult: £28.50 |
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NEW: 2 Day ticket (In advance only) Adult: £45 |
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Optional additional experiences FOOTPLATE RIDES (In advance only): £125 (includes an All Day Rover ticket) - AVAILABLE SOON! BRAKE VAN RIDES:- supplementary fare of £10 per single journey, payable on the day only, and only on presentation of, or purchased at the same time as, a valid all day travel ticket. |
Children under 3 are free - no ticket needed.
2-Day tickets purchased for Friday 17th April are valid on Friday and Saturday, or Friday and Sunday. 2-Day tickets purchased for Saturday 18 April are valid on Saturday and Sunday.
Our stations will only be accessible to passengers holding a ticket valid on the train services.
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