Cutbacks and closure Epping Ongar Railway

the little-used blake hall station, rumoured enjoy 6 customers day in last days, closed in 1981 , converted private residence.

from late 1960s, became clear line s patronage not growing had been expected, due restriction of development in designated metropolitan green belt land. @ peak in 1971, 650 passengers daily hardly made line economic proposition. london underground tried close entire line in 1980; instead, reduced service implemented, along blake hall tube station being closed on sundays.

north weald s platform 1 closed in 1976, passing loop/westbound track lifted in 1978. until time, station controlled original eastern counties railway signal box, still sited on southbound platform, restored. north weald last section of london underground signalled mechanical semaphore signals.

blake hall closed in 1981; said handled 6 customers day. station building survives, without platform, private dwelling. after closure, required kind word shuttle s driver unscheduled stop made. london transport responded removing platform, rendering unauthorised procedure impossible.

on 30 september 1994 line closed: making loss of 7 pounds each passenger journey , in need of expensive maintenance work. @ time of closure line carrying mere 80 passengers day; local lore had line being kept open in case cabinet needed evacuated kelvedon hatch secret nuclear bunker @ doddinghurst. track left intact along stations (albeit not maintained).

the last train, three-car unit of 1960 stock, has been preserved cravens heritage trains.