Epping Ongar Railway Sold

[locojoe]

> BEGINS ----------
>
> EPPING ONGAR RAILWAY SOLD
>
> Following the sale of the Ongar Goods Yard to David Wilson Homes for
> housing development, Roger Wright has bought out the other partners of
> Epping Ongar Railway (Holdings) Ltd and is now the sole owner of the
> railway. Roger is the former owner of Blue Triangle Buses so he has
> considerable experience in the transport industry and is keen on transport
> heritage.
>
> The remaining land at Ongar includes room for car parking behind the
> platform and extending as far as the Cripsey Brook viaduct. There is also
> plenty of room for a run round loop and to retain the existing maintenance
> shed and inspection pit.
>
> A spokesman for the Epping Ongar Railway Volunteer Society said "Roger
> taking over is the best news we have had for a long time. He has not yet
> revealed his plans for the railway, but does seem sympathetic to our
> ambitions for operating standard gauge steam on the line so we are quite
> optimistic."
>
> At the moment the EOR is closed until Easter so that we can concentrate on
> improving the track in readiness for future steam operation of the line.
> Refurbishment of the North Weald signal box is also progressing nicely with
> new steps built and we hope to be able to have the box open for visitors on
> special occasions during 2008.
>
> We also had our best ever December with a 45% increase in passengers
> numbers travelling on our Santa Specials (albeit this is only our second
> year of Santa Specials).
>
> Background
> The Epping Ongar Railway is a volunteer run heritage railway which has been
> operating over the former end of the London Underground Central Line
> between Epping and Ongar since October 2004. Trains usually run every
> Sunday between Ongar and North Weald using a preserved class 117 DMU
> (diesel multiple unit).
>
> The line is privately owned and is operated by volunteers from the Epping
> Ongar Railway Volunteer Society.
>
> As the closest operating heritage railway to London, the potential tourism
> benefits for this line and the surrounding area could be significant,
> especially if the line can eventually reconnect into London Underground's
> Epping Station and thereby restore an important transport link for the
> local community. We also intend to run steam locomotives once the necessary
> infrastructure is in place.
>
> Further details about Epping Ongar Railway are available on our website at
> http://eorailway.co.uk or by telephone on 01277 365200.
>
> ----------------- ENDS
>
> regards
>
> { Mark Dewell, Publicity Officer, Epping Ongar Railway Volunteer Society
> }
> { Email M.Dewell@... website http://eorailway.co.uk/
> }