Over the weekend (17th-19th April), the Epping Ongar Railway hosted its Western Workhorses Steam Gala.

The railway was generous enough to invite RailAdvent along to experience the spectacular event.

The timetable was packed with services hauled by 6989 Wightwick Hall, GWR Prairie No. 4144, and 4953 Pitchford Hall, with 2409 “King George” hauling brake van rides across the event. Passengers also enjoyed a range of Ales from the on-board bar.

Both stations and all services were filled with anticipation, with numerous Harry Potter fans waiting to board 6989, which plays the Hogwarts Express in the upcoming Harry Potter TV series.

The Saturday also featured a very exciting double-header consisting of Wightwick Hall and Pitchford Hall.

Passengers arrived via a range of vintage buses, with a special appearance from Supercar, a bizarre creation made up of a classic London bus (front), a 1973 Tube train (middle), and a Network SouthEast train (rear).

The gala was a huge success, welcoming over 2000 visitors, and the appearance of high-profile locomotives meant that the railway smashed its records.

Everyone at RailAdvent expresses a huge thank you to the railway for having us. We can’t wait to see what you do next!

 “The success of this year’s Steam Gala is a massive achievement and a testament to the dedication of everyone involved. This event requires months of meticulous planning and exceptional commitment, and the sheer scale of the operation-from coordinating the movement and maintenance of the locomotives to ensuring a smooth, safe, and enjoyable experience for thousands of visitors-was immense. We are incredibly proud to have delivered such a high-quality event to well over 2000 visitors; it wasn’t just about the trains, it was about the experience, the history, and bringing our railway community together. We extend our sincere thanks to all our visitors, volunteers, and visiting locomotive owners for making the 2026 Steam Gala our best yet.”

Nick Arthurton, General Manager