ERO Presents: Playing to the whistle: The railways of Essex and East Anglia*
For almost the last two centuries, railways, both main- and branch-lines, have dissected the county, taking commuters to the metropolis, goods to market and trippers to the seaside.
The advent of the railway opened up all sorts of opportunities for Essex residents and continues to do so today.
Join the Essex Records Office on Saturday 1 April for a one-day conference of talks on all different aspects of railways in Essex, from the first days of compulsorily purchasing of land and properties as the railways came out of London, the issues around making a ‘new’ steam locomotive to what it takes to run a railway in the 2020s.
With speakers from Greater Anglia to the Great Eastern Railway Society (GERS) and an exhibition of the art of Malcolm Root, we’re sure there will be plenty of interest in this event so make sure to book your ticket – as there's a limited number.
Registration and coffee from 10:00; an individual packed lunch is included in the ticket price. Delegates will be contacted nearer the event with lunch options.
• Jonathan Denby - Greater Anglia Head of Corporate Affairs: Transforming the railway: meeting the challenges of the post-pandemic world
• Alastair Southgate, Essex County Council Transport Strategy Lead: Moving Essex: the future role of rail travel
• Colin Runeckles, Ilford Historical Society: The Impact of the Eastern Counties Railway on the village of Ilford in the late 1830s
• Graham Rowland, The Holden F5 Locomotive Trust: Building a steam locomotive in the 21st century
• Peter Walker, Chairman, Great Eastern Railway Society: All Things Great Eastern
• Lyn Brooks, Archivist, Great Eastern Railway Society: Highlights of the GERS Historical Collection
• Malcolm Root, transport artist: Picturing the past in colour
*'Playing to the Whistle' (painted 2006) by Malcolm Root FGRAT. His painting is of the Colne Valley branch line, c.1958, as is passes Halstead football pitch. In the right background is Portways Foundry, maker of the world-famous Tortoise stove; the waste product from the foundry formed much of the ballast of the railway track. The engine, a Colchester based J15 on an afternoon freight run, is just about to cross an unofficial footpath, a short-cut created by locals who wanted a cheap view of the football!'Playing to the whistle' is used by permission of Malcolm Root FGRA
Event details
Explore Essex
Search our parks and places to plan your perfect day out
Need to know
Explorer Pass
Save money with your Explorer Pass
Our annual Explore Essex Pass will give you and your family the freedom to explore some of the incredible places and green spaces that Essex has to offer, as many times as you like throughout the year, with free parking at seven country parks, 2 or 1 on Sky Ropes, priority booking on specific events, and 10% discounts at many cafes and visitor centres.
Related events
Essex Record Office Presents: A round-up of archaeology in Essex
Join speakers Maria Medlycott and Zoe Bridges as they give an overview of some archaeological digs that have recently been undertaken or are still being dug and what's being dug up in Burnham!
- Dates: November 26, 2024
- Venue: Essex Record Office
- Times: 10:30am - 1:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: £8.50
ERO Presents: Brigade-Major Hope and Major Reynolds and the defence of Essex
Join Neil Wiffen as he speaks about Brigade-Major Alexander Hope of Luffness and Major Thomas Vincent Reynolds of Great Baddow and the defence of Essex, 1797-8.
- Dates: January 7, 2025
- Venue: Essex Record Office
- Times: 10:30am - 12:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: £6.25
ERO Presents Lady Anne Bacon: A woman of learning at the Tudor Court
Join speaker Deborah Spring as she talks about an intelligent and astute woman who lived through the great political and religious transitions of five reigns.
- Dates: February 4, 2025
- Venue: Essex Record Office
- Times: 10:30am - 12:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: £6.25