TRAIN enthusiasts in Ongar were treated to a glimpse of transport history as an antique carriage departed from the town's railway station for the first time in more than 80 years.
The historic Metropolitan Milk Van, which dates back to 1896, was delivered to the eastern terminus of the Epping Ongar Railway (EOR) in preparation for the London Underground's 150th anniversary celebrations.
Staff and volunteers at EOR were asked to test the van, given the heritage railway's proximity to London.
The carriage, which would have been used to transport milk in the early 20th century, was one of many heritage items to be restored by London Transport Museum in time for the 150th birthday of the Tube today.
Milk van trains are not new to the Epping-Ongar line; in fact the railway used to carry 1,200 churns, each holding 17 gallons of milk, into London on weekly basis up until the 1930s.
Several other heritage and steam coaches will make a return to London Underground lines throughout the year to mark the anniversary.
EOR general manager Simon Hanney told the Gazette: "We were honoured to welcome them [the museum] down here and to help out.
"We were especially delighted to welcome the milk van down and we felt it was apt that it was running on a line that used to deliver so much milk.
"While this was more of a running-in and a favour to our friends at the London Transport Museum and Transport For London, we are working closely with them on celebrations later in 2013 to mark the 150th anniversary of the London tube.
"They've given it the green light and they've given it the certificate it needs to run out onto the main London Underground system, so it'll be playing its part in the celebrations."
