This involves journeying to Epping to the north west of London at the end of the London Underground Central Line.  There we will find the “Epping Ongar” heritage railway – lots of description at the website https://www.eorailway.co.uk/.

Sunday 28 July is the last day of their Real Ale and Cider Festival https://www.eorailway.co.uk/events/real-ale-and-cider-festival/.

As well as enjoying steam engines, old railway stuff, riding old trains and hanging around delightful stations in picturesque Essex countryside, you can enjoy the dulcet tones of London’s Transport Choir featuring yours truly. There are food stalls as well as a beer stall at North Weald station.  And beer sold on trains and at Ongar.

You will need a ticket for the Epping Ongar Railway beer and cider festival event.  Get it here: https://www.eorailway.co.uk/events/real-ale-and-cider-festival/.

I recommend getting there by public transport.  A bit of a trek maybe but ‘just’ a ride to the end of the Central Line, transfer to a specially provisioned heritage bus (included in event ticket) for a short ride to North Weald station.  See notes below.  From where trains depart south to the old Epping Forest station (no alighting!) or north to Ongar station.  The route was until the 1980’s part of the London Underground system.  (The heritage trains running now are full size mainline type not old ‘tube trains’.)

More details in the links shared above.

1. The Central Line does not directly connect with the heritage railway.  It is necessary to take a (specially provisioned heritage) bus from Epping station.  Suitable bus departures are 10.25 or 10.55.  The journey from Epping LU station to the heritage railway is 10 minutes.
2. I intend to be at Epping for the 10.25 bus.  So that means catching the 9.03 Thameslink from East Croydon.  So that in turn means meeting at 8.50.  If you prefer not such an early start, you could slip these times by half an hour.
3. In order to get the most out of the choir in action, I think you should arrive at the Epping Ongar railway (North Weald station) by 11.30.  So, as previously mentioned, that means the connecting bus from Epping LU station at 10.55.  (Or 10.25 earlier, which will enable you to do a quick trip from North Weald to Epping Forest and back by 11.30.)
4. Allow 1 hour and 20 minutes East Croydon to Epping LU station.
5. Confused?  Even more detail on heritage train timetable and connecting heritage bus timetable here: https://www.eorailway.co.uk/visit/date/28-07-2024/
6. Still confused?  Just meet me at East Croydon ticket hall at 8.50am sharp.
7. We travel to London Bridge first.  Walk across to Bank underground station (or tube it if feeling lazy / pressed for time) and pick up the Central Line.
8. We depart Epping around 5pm for return home.
9. I will be able to inform you where and when the choir are performing nearer the time – preferably share with you during the journey there if you make the early start.

Cheers!

Andrew