Steam Spectacular on the Epping Ongar Railway | Festival of Steam - 05.05.24

The Epping Ongar Railway in Essex, popularly known as "London's Heritage Railway' would host a trilogy of events over the course of three weekends, titled "Festival of Steam", and featuring two guest locomotives.
The first guest was Saint Class No. 2999 Lady of Legend, courtesy of the Great Western Society and Didcot Railway Centre. The engine would look very much at home alongside the lines home fleet of GWR engines, consisting of Hall Class No 4953 Pitchford Hall and Priarie No. 5521, running as L150 and sporting the London Transport Livery.
The other guest would be 45690 Leander, visiting courtesy of the Beet family and West Coast Railways. Appearing for the second and third weekend of the event, it would be the locomotives final public appearance, with a dedicated farewell event next weekend to conclude the trilogy, before bowing out of service for overhaul, with its boiler ticket due to expire later this month.
Hawthorn Leslie Saddle Tank No. 3437 Isabel would also be seen in action, running brake van rides between North Weald and the lines boundary at Epping. With no turning facilities available there, the trains would be top and tailed into Epping Forest, where the rear locomotive would detach at North Weald. In some cases trains were top and tailed throughout, to position locomotives to either Ongar or North Weald where necessary.
This video captures the event on what was a sunny Sunday with the locomotives putting on an excellent show as they took on the lines steep grades. The railway gave a great impression on what was a first visit to the line, proving that a small branch line it has a lot to offer!
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[@OCPS4361]

Just started volunteering here in the steam dept after many years of being a punter, very much looking forward to working on the kettles it’s great they get to stretch their legs up the banks!

[@basictraincontent]

Great Captures. Stonards Hill looked amazing in these captures.

[@themodster]

Thanks. The weather certainly helped to make the engines look excellent in the forest.

[@DavidParkerlocomotive67]

Hi Thomas, Nice days filming , I have been there a few times ...Dave😄👍👍👍👍🚂🚂🚂🚂

[@themodster]

Cheers Dave. First time visiting the line, it may be small but it has a decent amount of lineside locations.

[@DavidParkerlocomotive67]

@@themodster Hi Thomas , Thanks for reply .Went by train from Northolt on my last visit....Dave 😃👍👍👍🚂🚂🚂

[@SimonTog]

A great video Thomas :)

[@themodster]

Thanks Simon