Isabel Comes to Essex!

Epping Ongar Railway & Colne Valley Railway are pleased to announce that they have reached an agreement which will see Epping Ongar Railway’s first resident steam locomotive Isabel; a 1919 built Hawthorne Leslie 0-6-0ST, visit the Colne Valley Railways line at Castle Hedingham Essex for the next few months, prior to its arrival at EOR.

More on this story, complete with pictures at: http://eorailway.co.uk/news/

 

Excellent news, I must say I was very impressed with the open day held at the railway last month. I can see the EOR being a jewel in the crown for Essex as it will be a railway that starts somewhere and goes somewhere.

Roll on the re-opening day...

Stan

 

Great news Simon, will there be a new shed for her to be kept in when she arrives? Would love to see some pics of the completed trackwork at Ongar too if thats possible.

Chris

 

I could probably answer this one for you Chris. The foundations have been poured and the trackwork has been temporarily disconnected to allow for plant to move materials over to the work site. The design is expected to have two entrances and made from brick much like the original but made slightly longer to roughly 150ft. Whether or not this is built like whats in the plan or if its complete before Isabel's arrival can only really be answered by the management.

There are a few pictures of the trackwork on the website under "news" and "department diaries" that can give you an idea of whats happening. Currently the trackwork isn't completed, but the majority of the points are in situe and need connecting up and setting up. There are some track diagrams in the signal department section of the website that you can have a look at to give you an idea on what the railway is aiming to achieve.

I'm sure Simon will post some pictures of the trackwork on the website when its all connected up properly.

Hope this answers your question.

Soap

 

ah, sounds fantastic, thankyou!