Epping Ongar Railway HistoryPage-Two 1900-1950
In the 1920's and 30's, Suburban housing had accelerated to a high putting more pressure on Woodford, Loughton and Theydon Bois. However where steam traffic congestion had come about the public had become angry. So in an effort to relieve massive pressures on LNER London & North Eastern Railway lines through Stratford, a brave 1935-40 works program of electrification was undertaken.
The London Passenger Transport Board, later to become London Transport (LT) was established in 1933.
1945 came and England's first post-war goverment came about and sanctioned the tube extention from Stratford to Leytonstone.
This opened on the 5th May 1947, and with this many Central Line extentions come quickly with LT reaching Woodford the same year. That very evening 'N7' 0-6-2T No.9624 worked the last train from Woodford to Leytonstone.
No.9613 backed on to the other end of the train, decorrated with silver paper chains, Union Jack and laurel wreath, made a great exit on the 12:45am down.
1947 was the very year the Epping Ongar line was transfered to London Transport.
On the 21st November 1948 a major step came about where Central Line services moved east and west, incorporating West Ruislip and Loughton.
On the 25th of September 1949 electrification came to Epping and not to Ongar. It took another 8 years for this to happen.
Little over a month later direction lever working, as it was known, was extended to Ongar.
bravenet.com