Epping Ongar Railway History
Epping Station History
Opened : 24th April 1865
Station history : 1865 - 1885
The station was opened by the GER as part of the single line extension from Loughton to Ongar on
The station building consisted of a two-storey red-brick station masters house, attached to a range of single-storey buildings which included the booking office, the entrance to which was protected by a canopy.
The station is very much the same as the others down the line.
Neither platform had any protection from the elements. A goods yard, with three long sidings and a short dock siding were provided. The goods shed was identical in style to that at Ongar.
A water tank was also provided, although problems with water supply in the Epping area generally caused difficulties until the town council were ordered by the government to build a waterworks in the 1880s.
Station history : 1886 - 1910
The tracks and platforms were re-modelled in January 1893 when the line was doubled.
The track was not doubled to Ongar due to the sheer size of the banks, but as the line was ment to reach dummow the line was originaly ment to be double tracked. this was not the case.
More sidings were installed, an engine shed was opened. An interlocked signal box had been provided in 1887.
Station history : 1911 - 1935
Ownership of the station was transferred to the London & North Eastern Railway or the famous L&NER.
This took place on the 1st January 1923.
Station history : 1936 - 1960
The station was transferred to London transport, as part of the much delayed extension of electrified Central line services. Epping became part of LT 25th September 1949.
Some alterations took place at the station, this included.
Modifying the booking hall / ticket office, electirc lighting was also introduced.
Plus the old L&NER Signal box was replcaed by a new LT box.
Station history : 1961 - 1985
Having had to use the footbridge previously, from 15 October 1962, Ongar passengers could wait on platform 2 after disembarking, as both Ongar trains and those coming from London now stopped at the same platform. The connecting
Station History : 1986 - 2005
The station stayed in service after the Epping-Ongar line closed on 30 th september 1994.
Now both platforms are used for trains arriving from london.
After closure two set of red lights marking the end of the line were put into both tracks.
Sadly in 1996 the Epping signal box closed as all siganls are now under a main centre control.
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