CALLS of ‘all aboard’ rang through platforms for the first time in nearly two decades as the first passengers boarded the steam trains of a newly restored railway.

Teams of volunteers have been labouring for years to restore the Epping-Ongar railway line to its Victorian pomp, when 50 trains a day would thunder down the line.

On Friday (May 25) the first passengers since the line closed in 1994 boarded trains for the trip from North Weald Station in Station Way to Ongar and through Epping Forest to Coopersale.

Roger Payne, 69, of Birch View in Epping, was one of the new line’s very first passengers.

He said: “I had been looking forward to it for some time.

“I used to take the service when there was still an electric train on the line but to be in a steam train running along it was terrific.

“I went again on Saturday on took my grandson, he is five and had never seen a steam train before so it was quite an experience for him.

“On the journey some of the chaps were frying eggs on the floor of the cabin just next to the boiler because it was so hot. It really showed the power of the old engines.”

Simon Hanney, chairman of the Epping-Ongar Railway, said: “The sight of the first train pulling out of the platform with passengers on board is something I will not forget for the rest of my life.

“We had visitors from all over the country, and they were full of praise for the friendliness and efficiency of our team, who have made this possible.”