How many trains were working the service at any one time during those last days (and was the peak-hour service reduced from when it was started in the 1960s or did it stay about the same)?
By the time this was filmed, if say you missed the up train at Blake Hall to Epping, would you have to wait for that same unit to return back down the line to you?
I grew up in Metroland and in the 70s would often bunk school and ride the tube all day (doing homework and lessons I missed and taking library books with me). The Central Line was a favourite afternoon ride because a) it was lo-oo-oo-ong and b) I could finish up by getting a bus home from West Ruislip. The elusive Epping-Ongar line was always denied me because it was peak hours only so I never got the chance. I wish I had but I was wanting my tea by then and had the whole of London to cross.
@englandbornandbred65 Actually the 1944 Greater London Plan envisaged the extension of this line from Ongar to Chelmsford with Ongar being expanded into a new town. In the end the new town was built at Harlow. As for Stansted I don't think extending the Central Line makes any sense as the journey time would be around 90 minutes from Oxford Circus.
I notice that the guard was working from the leading car on the 62 stock. Maybe it was one of those units where thay took the guards panel out at one end, assuming that the 62 stock would always work as 8 car sets.
Or maybe the guard just needed some company with the driver!?
This film captures not only the feel and charm of the ongar branch but reminds of what awesome machines the 1962 were and all of their oddities like the line breaker popping in and out, the tick tick of the camshaft motor, and the microwave oven guards signal bell, and the best whistle tone on the Underground, another great film by Mr Ivey!
I grew up in Woodford in the 1970s, and at weekends and school holidays was often to be found ferreting about on both the Epping to Ongar and Woodford to Hainault lines. Many thanks to the uploader, and many thanks also to Fred, along with congrats on such an evocative and well-made film. Finding this made my day, thank you! :)
Well done Fred! Excellent film - it reminds me of my time in the late 1960s and early 1970s working in the tiny BR Electrical Control Room at Ryde St. John's Road Station on the Isle of Wight. With three 33kv/750V (nominal) substations I felt that (when on duty) I had the biggest electric train set in the world. The Ongar end reminds me of the Shanklin terminus. Pity we never ran on through the tunnel to Ventnor...I walked through the tunnel several times - it was okay to use.
Congratulations to Fred for a stunning film and thanks to A60stock for posting.
Epping / Ongar could be a difficult piece of line to run on. It only took morning dew or light rain to cause loss of rail adhesion leaving Epping and it was wheel spin time. LU introduced the 'sandite' train eventually, and it helped a bit. Shame the line has been closed, as it was intended to extend it to Stanstead, after upgrading the power supply. What a waste.
Thanks, we are always delighted at the appreciation Fred's films receive.
BTW In the 1944 Greater London Plan it was proposed to extend the line to Chelmsford as Ongar was to be come a new town after the war. In fact they built the new town at Harlow instead and so Ongar remains a sleepy backwater.
Yes, I believe the later idea of extending to Stanstead was delayed due to permission not being given to build the airport. By the time that decision was reversed, the LU idea had lost momentum and stalled. It would have been interesting to see 'two-way' traffic on this section and 8-Car trains, along with the supporting electrification works but the 'feel' of that single line branch would have been lost. Will any form of service resume? We can but hope........
Excellent line-side footage etc showing the rural nature of the line, but I have to say not as good a video as ian29d's 'Last Train from Ongar'. All right he's a friend of mine so I'm biassed!
Game was left besides the track by farmers for train drivers to collect in return for drivers whistling up at certain points on days when a game shoot was in action - That isnt quite right, but Ill let you off.
Nice, brings back memories! I live backing onto the branch near ongar station. i seem to remenber the 1960/38 combination worked the majoity on the last few years. i think the 62 was kept in reseves incase of breakdown. I managed to get a ride in the cab a week befor the line shut, and the drivers were really having to nurse the train through the final week or so as it was have serious issues with the brakes/pressure release valve sticking, but they wanted to keep it going until the end.
wonder why the guard is traveling in the front DM rather than the rear at 0:11...
f1baker 2 months ago in playlist More videos from A60stock
How many trains were working the service at any one time during those last days (and was the peak-hour service reduced from when it was started in the 1960s or did it stay about the same)?
By the time this was filmed, if say you missed the up train at Blake Hall to Epping, would you have to wait for that same unit to return back down the line to you?
krakenwave 3 months ago
I grew up in Metroland and in the 70s would often bunk school and ride the tube all day (doing homework and lessons I missed and taking library books with me). The Central Line was a favourite afternoon ride because a) it was lo-oo-oo-ong and b) I could finish up by getting a bus home from West Ruislip. The elusive Epping-Ongar line was always denied me because it was peak hours only so I never got the chance. I wish I had but I was wanting my tea by then and had the whole of London to cross.
krakenwave 3 months ago
Love that 'burping' discharge at 3:06!
rayflute 3 months ago
why did the driver keep opening and shutting th doors?
lewisc1997 4 months ago
that was nine minutes of my life well spent
xHELLSxDARKxANGEL 5 months ago
Did you happen to notice the guard always travelled up the front - so he could talk to the driver between stops?
KevinRBoyd 5 months ago
@englandbornandbred65 Actually the 1944 Greater London Plan envisaged the extension of this line from Ongar to Chelmsford with Ongar being expanded into a new town. In the end the new town was built at Harlow. As for Stansted I don't think extending the Central Line makes any sense as the journey time would be around 90 minutes from Oxford Circus.
A60stock 10 months ago
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As always, Fred Ivey's films are very good.
AGDH1 1 year ago
As always, Fred Ivey's films are very good.
AGDH1 1 year ago
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What beautiful photography, especially the lovely rural scenes and the stunning evening as the train departs from Ongar.
spc0553 1 year ago
What beautiful photography, especially the lovely rural scenes and the stunning evening as the train departs from Ongar.
spc0553 1 year ago 2
I notice that the guard was working from the leading car on the 62 stock. Maybe it was one of those units where thay took the guards panel out at one end, assuming that the 62 stock would always work as 8 car sets.
Or maybe the guard just needed some company with the driver!?
DANWOODHOUSE 1 year ago
This film captures not only the feel and charm of the ongar branch but reminds of what awesome machines the 1962 were and all of their oddities like the line breaker popping in and out, the tick tick of the camshaft motor, and the microwave oven guards signal bell, and the best whistle tone on the Underground, another great film by Mr Ivey!
hihat101 1 year ago
I grew up in Woodford in the 1970s, and at weekends and school holidays was often to be found ferreting about on both the Epping to Ongar and Woodford to Hainault lines. Many thanks to the uploader, and many thanks also to Fred, along with congrats on such an evocative and well-made film. Finding this made my day, thank you! :)
WhoWantsMuffinsInc 1 year ago
when the branch was operated by LU it clearly shows both lack of funding and bad oganising by essex council by making the prices too high...
f1baker 1 year ago
Well done Fred! Excellent film - it reminds me of my time in the late 1960s and early 1970s working in the tiny BR Electrical Control Room at Ryde St. John's Road Station on the Isle of Wight. With three 33kv/750V (nominal) substations I felt that (when on duty) I had the biggest electric train set in the world. The Ongar end reminds me of the Shanklin terminus. Pity we never ran on through the tunnel to Ventnor...I walked through the tunnel several times - it was okay to use.
atlanticcoastexpress 1 year ago
On the main part of the Central, were the 1992 stock trains in use by this time, or were they still being tested?
EssexResident2000 1 year ago
Great Video, 5 Stars!
60103Henry 1 year ago
Like the notching up when they get door trouble
island29 1 year ago
Congratulations to Fred for a stunning film and thanks to A60stock for posting.
Epping / Ongar could be a difficult piece of line to run on. It only took morning dew or light rain to cause loss of rail adhesion leaving Epping and it was wheel spin time. LU introduced the 'sandite' train eventually, and it helped a bit. Shame the line has been closed, as it was intended to extend it to Stanstead, after upgrading the power supply. What a waste.
Mr6292 2 years ago
Thanks, we are always delighted at the appreciation Fred's films receive.
BTW In the 1944 Greater London Plan it was proposed to extend the line to Chelmsford as Ongar was to be come a new town after the war. In fact they built the new town at Harlow instead and so Ongar remains a sleepy backwater.
A60stock 2 years ago
Yes, I believe the later idea of extending to Stanstead was delayed due to permission not being given to build the airport. By the time that decision was reversed, the LU idea had lost momentum and stalled. It would have been interesting to see 'two-way' traffic on this section and 8-Car trains, along with the supporting electrification works but the 'feel' of that single line branch would have been lost. Will any form of service resume? We can but hope........
Mr6292 2 years ago
Great film. Gosh, makes me nostalgic. :)
lewisthecollard 2 years ago
Excellent line-side footage etc showing the rural nature of the line, but I have to say not as good a video as ian29d's 'Last Train from Ongar'. All right he's a friend of mine so I'm biassed!
spockwatford 2 years ago
Has any 1992 stock of 4 coaches be making that shuttle?
RDL1984 2 years ago
Game was left besides the track by farmers for train drivers to collect in return for drivers whistling up at certain points on days when a game shoot was in action - That isnt quite right, but Ill let you off.
DJSpymo 2 years ago 2
Well it certainly happened when I was in the cab, about 30 years ago now, how time files.
A60stock 2 years ago
The drivers told me that the would often hit game and collect it on the way back. They also stopped at North Weald to collect golf balls on occasion.
tomhami 2 years ago
Yes that was also a perk for working the Ongar branch.
A60stock 2 years ago
Nice, brings back memories! I live backing onto the branch near ongar station. i seem to remenber the 1960/38 combination worked the majoity on the last few years. i think the 62 was kept in reseves incase of breakdown. I managed to get a ride in the cab a week befor the line shut, and the drivers were really having to nurse the train through the final week or so as it was have serious issues with the brakes/pressure release valve sticking, but they wanted to keep it going until the end.
tomhami 2 years ago
Very good! 5 stars! I knew that 1960 covered the ongar branch from 1990, but did 1962 stock occsionoly used the branch between 1990 and 1994?
JoeRoss1993 2 years ago