Cravens Heritage Trains

1960 Stock

Our three-car unit of 1960 Stock operated on the Central Line until withdrawl in 1994. Since 1995 we have operated railtours on the Underground network.
More...
Filming at Aldwych...
High Barnet Shuttles...
East London Explorer..

1962 Stock

Our second train also operated on the Central Line for 30 years and is now being restored at Hainault depot. More...

Epping Signal Cabin

Epping Signal Cabin became redundant in 1996 when re-signalling of the Central Line was completed. Since 2001 CHTL has leased the Signal Cabin - we hope to restore the frame and open a small museum.More...

L11

L11 is a unique locomotive built for shunting at Acton works. More...

History

The eastern branches of the Central Line started life as part of the Eastern Counties Railway More...

More Preserved Tube Stock

Many other items of underground rolling stock have been preserved. more...

Links

More railway and underground websites...

Latest News

Epping-Ongar Railway Visit Sunday 5th October

Members of CHTL and ORPS have been invited to visit on Sunday 5th October. For more information see the latest news page.

Can you help us?

Would you like to help us? Craven's Heritage Trains is looking for new volunteers to join our restoration efforts. There are opportunities to help with the restoration of the 1962 Stock at Hainault, the cosmetic repair of L11 at Epping and the Signal Cabin project at Epping. There will be a warm welcome for everyone whatever his or her level of skill or experience.

We would be especially pleased to hear from those who helped move the signal frame components from Hainault to Epping in 2005 and anyone else with experience of London Underground signalling systems. We would also like to hear from anyone who worked with the 1962 or has carpentry skills. If you are interested please contact us

The 1938 Stock has been in action again this summer - some more pictures are here.

We were all pleased to see the LT Museum's 1938 Stock in 2007 some pictures of the last trip are here.

Introduction

Welcome to the webpages of Cravens Heritage Trains. Cravens Heritage Trains exists to promote the preservation of London Underground rolling stock and artefacts. Where possible we seek to retain them in working order.

We own two trains; one a three-car unit of 1960 Stock is in working order and based at Ruislip Depot in west London. It has been used for railtours and for filming work. Our second train is a four-car unit of 1962 Stock and is being restored at Hainault Depot in east London. Since 2001 we have also leased Epping Signal Cabin. We plan to restore the signal frame and open a small museum.

During 2004 we took responsibility for L11, the former Acton Works shunting locomotive. L11 was delivered to Epping for restoration and static display.

One of the last trains leaves Ongar station in September 1994

The 1960 Stock Hainault depot soon after purchase in 1995. Bob Yeldham

CHTL has its origins in efforts to preserve the Epping Ongar section of the Central Line. In the early 1990s when the closure was first proposed local rail enthusiasts formed the Ongar Railway Preservation Society (ORPS). In 1994 a small group of ORPS members decided to purchase 1960 Stock cars 3906, 4927 and 3907, the train that operated the last Epping - Ongar service. At this time it was hoped that the branch might re-open as a unique preserved railway with electric traction between Epping and North Weald. Further fund raising allowed the purchase of a 4-car train of 1962 Stock in 1995.

Our first railtour was operated in July 1995 and further tours took place the following year. The Cravens unit was moved from Hainault to Ruislip in 1996 and since then we have operated regular tours visiting many parts of the network. We have also participated in the very successful "Steam on the Met" events. CHTL maintains a close relationship with the LT Museum and was pleased to provide train stewards for the successful outings of the 1938 TS in the Autumn of 2003.

Unfortunately we have been unable to operate any railtours since the highly successful East London Explorer in 2003. The Cravens unit now requires substantial maintenance work and fund raising is underway. To find out what we are doing and how you can help please visit the latest news page.

In June 1999 Cravens Heritage Trains became a non-profit making company limited by guarantee and is now known as Cravens Heritage Trains Limited (CHTL). See below for details

The Cravens unit at Upminster during the East London Explorer Railtour, May 2003.

The 1962 Stock at Hainault soon after purchase.

Cleaning the door tracks in October 2001.

L11 after arrival at Epping

Membership

Membership of CHTL is open to all those wishing to support the preservation of London's underground railway heritage. Benefits of membership -

• The opportunity to take part in our restoration projects
• Four issues per year of our bulletin
• Advanced notice of our railtours
• Visits to places of interest. In recent years members have been able to visit the disused station at Wood Lane and the Northern and Victoria Line control room at Coburg Street.

To download a membership application form click here.

Cravens Heritage Trains Limited,
Registered number 3782803
43 Ashpole Furlong, Loughton, Milton Keynes MK5 8ED
Place of incorporation England and Wales
Limited by Guarantee.