THE HISTORIC Epping-Ongar railway will move another step toward connecting with the London Tube on Saturday, when the first train chugs into the Epping Town ward.

The heritage railway line reopened  in May, but trains have so far only shuttled travellers to Coopersale.

But on Saturday (July 21) the route will be extended, stopping only 1,000m from the end of Epping station's platforms - the first time regular passenger services have used the line since 1994.

Visitors will not be able to disembark in Epping, as no platform is in place - a situation general manager Simon Hanney hopes to remedy soon.

He said: "Ideally we'd like to work together with our stakeholders, including the district authority and Transport for London, to build a platform as close as we can to Epping station.

"We feel the closer the platform is, the more benefit there will be to the local industry."

Infrastructure and operations manager Chris Marsack added: "Our attentions will now focus on this final kilometre, and we remain committed to our goal of once again operating regular train services to connect with London Underground at Epping station.”

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