The spooky halloween event where you can ride on a real ghost train

The railway is the longest heritage line in Essex
-Credit: (Image: Andy Duncan)


Ghost trains are often a fun halloween experience found in theme parks and funfairs. This Essex ghost train takes the Halloween scaries to the next level, located on a real steam train with lots of tricks and treats aboard.

Originally a single line track that opened in 1856 which stopped at Loughton from London, and later extended into Ongar, the Epping Ongar Railway offers a unique insight into the locomotive world. Transporting you back to a time before the tracks ran on electricity, the line is the longest heritage railway in Essex.

While the railway has plenty of educational open days surrounding both steam and diesel trains, its Halloween event is particularly popular with families year after year. With plenty to do both on the train and at the stations it stops at, this truly is a unique thing to do in October.

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The Epping Ongar Railway fright week includes a service from Epping station on board one of the railway's vintage London buses. Then, families will have the opportunity to explore "North Weird" train station, where there are reports of ghouls haunting the station and you need to help find them all!

This is followed up by a steam hauled train journey from North Weird, complete with spooky characters lurking all around the carriages. There will be a short break at Ongar, where the Manic Magician will enthrall and entertain the whole family with his mysterious magic show.

If you are looking for refreshments throughout your spooky experience, the LNER cafe at North Weird will be open serving a selection of hot and cold snacks and hot and cold drinks which you can take on onboard the train. The Buffet Stop at Ongar will also be open for hot drinks and confectionery.

Visitors are encouraged to dress up in their best Halloween gear, as the best family on each day will win a special prize. The fright week will take place each day on October 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31, and Epping Ongar Railway (and its ghouls) can't wait to meet everyone!

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