Epping Ongar Railway
Epping Ongar Railway
4
About
The Epping Ongar Railway is a volunteer run heritage railway which operates steam and diesel hauled trains through 5.5 miles of picturesque rolling countryside and through Epping Forest, along the former London Underground Central Line. We run a variety of special events through the year, including Peppa Pig, 1940's, Halloween Ghost Trains, Santa and Mince Pie Specials. Please check our website for opening times and fares information. over 6 miles of the former London Underground Central Line.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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  • Dan N
    3 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A day for all the family
    A family day out enjoyed by our two little ones (4 and 6) our 14 year old who getting older now enjoyed herself. Biggest surprise was how much my wife enjoyed the day, she had the biggest grin on her face all day, from getting on the bus expertly driven by Roger and conducted by James. The first ever experience of a steam train that was busy due to the diesel having a fault the crew on board the steam train were very helpful and polite, the staff at the bar even made space in the bar area from our little girls to sit. After enjoying our train rides and picnic we ended our day with a great bus journey through the countryside finishing at Shenfield with the excellent crew of Terry and Wendy. A massive thank you to all at EOR.
    Visited April 2023
    Written 8 April 2023
  • AppletreeGirl
    Essex, United Kingdom248 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Absolutely blooming wonderful
    What an absolutely wonderful day! We had fish and chips on the Epping Fryer today and it was just brilliant! Ongar and North Weald stations are like stepping back in time, and the volunteers are an just so helpful, friendly and knowledgeable. Taking the steam train through the stunning Essex countywide was a real treat and the fish and chips and ice cream were great! Cannot recommend this enough, we’ve already booked to go back and do it all over again!
    Visited May 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 27 May 2023
  • LC30H
    11 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Best day ever!
    I honestly cannot thank the staff here and at north Weald station enough. They went above and beyond for us on our first time visiting today. It was myself and my friend along with 5 children! 4 of them very young and eldest autistic and a HUGE train fan. The staff were all so friendly and kind, helped us to the train, helped us with times for trains and for the buses to make sure we got back to Ongar okay. Let the two boys into the drivers cab which was an unbelievably amazing experience. One of the childrens soft toys fell onto the track as the door opened at the station and they were so kind enough to retrieve it for us. On the trip back we were escorted over the track so we didn’t have to take all the children over the bridge and were taken to a first class coach. It really was an unforgettable day, all of us smiling all day. It could have been really stressful with lots of children but the staff were so welcoming and helpful it was impossible to feel stressed. Unfortunately we didn’t get everyone’s names but definitely would love to do a special shout out to Trevor and Steve! Legends! Thank you so much for making our day so wonderful. We will most definitely be visiting again, and can’t wait!
    Visited May 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 31 May 2023
  • Danielle
    Watford, United Kingdom1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Steve the Hero & Trevor the legend!
    Today myself & my best friend took our 5 children (2-9yrs) to Ongar-Epping railway station and what an absolute delight it was! From the moment we arrived to the minute we left it was a truly magnificent experience. Thankyou to all the amazing staff/volunteers, but a big special thanks to “Steve” & “Trevor” ( the kindest, most helpful gentlemen!) you really did make our day that extra bit special. Not only will the kids remember this day forever, we will too. Heartwarming. And we will defiantly be back in the summer! 100% recommend. Great day for all!
    Visited May 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 31 May 2023
  • Stephen K
    Essex, United Kingdom11 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Brilliant day out
    Absolutely brilliant day spent on the Epping Ongar Railway today. From the moment you arrive at the station it was like stepping back in time. The sight of seeing the Epping Fryer pulling into the station was amazing. All the staff we met were very helpful and I even got to stand in the footplate and spoke with the driver and a photo taken. We had fish and chips on the train as well which was very nice. I will return for another journey back in time soon. Thanks to everyone who work on the EOR for a day I’ll never forget. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
    Visited June 2023
    Written 17 June 2023
  • Mod Family
    Colchester, United Kingdom141 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Okay but
    Look before I start let’s make one thing clear. Hats off to the volunteers that run the railway.👏👏 But and here’s the big but…….. Epping Fryer fish and chip train, ok firstly does not go to Epping so why call it the “Epping Fryer” your not even moving when the slightly warm meal is served. Only when the train is on the way back to North Weld from Ongar do you get served ice cream. All the staff were ether having a go at each other or as one young lad smartly dressed in his uniform, miserable as sin and hardly smiled. There was no direction or organization between staff and staff and visitors. Please don’t get me wrong it’s worth the day out but not on the so called Epping Fryer. Would we go again…… highly unlikely as there are better steam train rides about.
    Visited August 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 19 August 2023
  • Jane T
    London, United Kingdom251 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Bluey experience was ok but nothing special
    We found the EO railway website extremely confusing trying to work out where to start our journey, where to park etc. As we were travelling by car and the trains were starting from North Weald (I believe most do) we decided to drive to North Weald station and find somewhere close to park. We understood there was no parking at all at the train station but there seemed to be room for a good few cars. We parked on the road just leading up to the station with no issues on a Sunday morning. We didn't take a buggy for our 18 month old as we had read they need to be left on the platform. Checking in via the ticket office was very slow with a lack of information. I appreciate it is run by volunteers but there should be more staff and information available. We waited on platform 2 until we were told we could cross over to platform 1. Shortly after, Bluey came along the platform on a train. The train works it's way along the platform so you can take photos. The time you have to take photos is very quick and other customers did not follow the queuing system (which also was not enforced by staff) meaning we didn't even get a chance to take a photo without others in the background, this was hugely disappointing. The magician is a nice touch and he provides lots of info. The train journey itself is fine but nothing exciting. The magician show at Ongar station was good for the young kids before we got back on the train to North Weald. Overall, it was ok but I wouldn't return.
    Visited August 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 20 August 2023
  • Sarah A
    8 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Lovely family experience
    Such lovely staff who run this. My 6 year old is a train enthusiast and my 5 year also enjoyed this. We went on a steam, a diesel and a heritage bus. You can go on as many as you like, but we found three journeys a good number. We went from Ongar to North weald. Then got on a train that goes to Epping forest and back, it doesn't stop there, but you can see the views. Then we took a heritage bus back to Ongar. Such a lovely family day out.
    Visited August 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 28 August 2023
  • cheryl h
    Colchester, United Kingdom95 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Well worth a visit.
    What a great day out, wonderful for all the family. We parked at North Weald ( not recommended as no parking), but normally you can park at Epping and get a double decker bus direct to North Weald. We firstly got a diesel locomotive to Ongar and back, then a steam train to Ongar for fish & chips, followed by ice cream, before steaming back to North Weald. The staff, who are all volunteers were absolutely wonderful, couldn’t do enough for us. I’m GF and although I mentioned this when booking didn’t think I would receive a different meal, but had resigned to the fact of picking fish out of the batter. But no!! I received a wonderful steamed fish with chips, which was absolutely delicious. Well done, what a great day.
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 2 September 2023
  • Joanne F
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Brilliant loved it.
    Lovely fun trip for Halloween half term. Well organised, friendly fun filled trip on a steam train. Staff really friendly and the right amount of scary fun. Magician really entertaining too. Highly recommend! Looking forward to booking the Christmas train!
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 26 October 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles619 reviews
Excellent
356
Very good
141
Average
44
Poor
39
Terrible
39

Livvy D
15 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Family
We went using the children travel for £1.00 offer and we had a brilliant time. Even the rain didn't dampen our spirits, my 6 and 3 year old had a brilliant time. The staff were knowledgeable and were keen to engage with my children, it was a really nice day
Written 22 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

C C
1 contribution
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Family
Ruined our new year. Arrived with family including our disabled son for a new year treat. Only to be told the train we had booked on had been cancelled. No notification received the man even had the gall to say we had missed the last train even though we had arrived in plenty of time for our booking. So beware they will happily take your money and ruin your new yea!! We were not the o my family to be turned away either. VERY disappointed
Written 31 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sarah Shore
2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Family
We did the lights train and it was fantastic. Such good fun and the staff were so lovely, happy and helpful.
Brilliant to see a what could have been derelict station turned into something so magical.
Written 29 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

micmacmob
london18 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Family
Due to traffic and getting lost I missed the train and my family boarded without me. I got to Ongar and boarded the Santa bus which I was told wasn’t due to leave for about another hour. I explained it didn’t matter as I had missed the train anyway. These wonderful people said no problem and took me to Ongar station, sat me in a waiting room with a blazing fire where two volunteers made me a cup of tea and then filled me in on the history of the steam trains, stations and Ongar history until the train arrived and I could board it to be with my family ( who were very surprised to see me ) When we arrived back in North Weald I missed the Ongar bus but once again I was taken back on the bus to my car even though it was not due to leave for a very long time. The customer service I was given was exceptional and I’m so grateful how kindly I was treated. I believe the gentlemen that helped me are the owners. It’s so nice to know there are such lovely caring people out there. Thank you so much for the train experience and human kindness
Written 23 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jill J
3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Family
Had an amazing time last Sunday evening. Twelve of us went and everyone raved about it afterwards. Even hard to please 12 year olds! Thoroughly recommend the train to anyone. It was so beautifully decorated..
So many of these things can be ruined by chaotic and disorganised staff who forget what the whole thing is about and get frustrated with customers when things go wrong , but not here! It was well organised and the “guards “ were friendly and well into the spirit of Xmas..
I would love to have seen this train travelling through Epping from a bridge or garden. It must have been such a lovely sight
Written 22 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

tob2411
London, UK6 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Family
Firstly the positives, it was very well organised - the heritage buses were waiting and left on time from Epping Station. Refreshments were available. A brass band played - though as it was raining everyone ran for the cafe. Train itself is beautiful and the staff friendly. Beautiful views from the window of a wintery Epping forest.

During the 1hr 15min journey a magician popped in with a magic trick, and Scrooge (who was wonderfully in character!) popped in and gave the children a Brussel sprout (choc version).

But all this is meaningless as the main event was so disappointing. We were the penultimate compartment of the last carriage - and I don't know whether Santa ran out of time by the time he got to us, of if all children had the same experience, but his visit lasted 40 seconds.

The dialogue was
'Hello Children, I have a present for Zak, and a present for Charlotte, and lastly a present for Alice (as his assistant quickly handed the gifts to him). Now would you like to get in close for Mummy to take a photo. Good. Merry Christmas and I will be seeing you soon. Bye.

Its not that he was a bad Santa, just it was so rushed.

We didn't even get to hear what the children would like for Christmas.

We wish we hadn't given them quite as much build up for this. We wanted to create a special memory but this failed miserably. (£190 for 6 person compartment - 3 adults & 3 children). I feel there are better choices out there. Ally Pally Santa grotto last year was amazing compared to this.
Written 10 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Andrew Niznik
United Kingdom72 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Family
We went on the Epping Ongar Railway for the Christmas event today.It was such a fantastic experience all round.The decorations were just incredible,the station platform had loads of colour changing lights which were cool.The train was just amazing,it was so magical covered in Christmas lights and looked beautiful!The carriages were decorated really beautifully which was lovely and you could opt to have a private carriage which was the best thing about the experience.Was in first class dasher carriage,it was an extremely comfortable experience and seating was exceptionally comfy.I loved the music too and the jokes and audience participation,it made it a really lovely atmosphere.You could see a few old trains too which was pretty cool.The views were lovely out of the train and the train ride was so much fun.They also had their own branded wristbands that glow in time to the music which was so fun and you can keep it which is even better as you can have it as a little souvenir.Make sure to keep the tag so that you only use it when necessary.Would highly recommend,you must do this!!!!!They also have catering and toilets too,taps in the portaloo were a bit strange as you could only wash one hand at a time.Station was lovely and I even loved the Christmas decs at Ongar and New Weald station.
Written 9 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Wesley F
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Family
An incredibly marvellous experience! Santa, accompanied by various characters, provided my family and I with a delightfully heart warming experience throughout our journey. Scrooge was particularly impressive, embodying different interpretations seen in films. My granddaughter, initially reserved and uninvolved with the characters, underwent a delightful change of attitude in the presence of Buddy the elf. Her face lit up, and she was laughing for the first time on the train ride, making it a truly special moment.

Despite the chilly and damp weather, the interior of the train remained sufficiently heated and workers around the platform were very helpful and not at all condescending when we asked for help. I would certainly recommend this experience and look forward to returning next year.
Written 3 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Glynis C
Harlow, UK384 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Couples
We went on The Lights Express. What a wonderful experience. It was so well decorated, inside and out, which made it so festive.
The commentary, and DJ were excellent, and with the music and wristbands, that flashed along with the train lights, it was amazing.
Certainly worth going on
Written 18 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Steve B
Townsville, Australia3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Solo
I went this past Friday and they had their Halloween Ghost Train experience. As a child trapped in an adults body, I had so much fun. Not just the ride on the steam train, but the volunteers dressed up, the music and the wonderful scenery. Highly recommend this even on a normal non themed day.
Written 29 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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EPPING ONGAR RAILWAY: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Epping Ongar Railway