The Epping Ongar Railway has been part of Essex history for more than 160 years. Now, thanks to its starring role in Practical Magic 2, the heritage line has added another chapter to its remarkable story
On a rainy spring afternoon in 2025, deep in the Essex countryside, the telephone rang in the office of one of the country’s best-preserved heritage railways.
Picking up the receiver, Epping Ongar Railway Operations Manager Robert Bentley answered a call he certainly wasn’t expecting.
On the other end of the line was a location manager searching for a very specific railway carriage to feature in the sequel to one of Hollywood’s most beloved films of the 1990s.
Practical Magic 2, released this autumn, reunites screen legends Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman in the follow-up to the cult classic about a family of witches navigating love, loss and a centuries-old family curse. Filmed across locations in the United States and at the world-famous Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in Hertfordshire, the production also found some of its most atmospheric backdrops much closer to home, right here in Essex.
Pull column
Filming took place during the spring and summer of 2025, and as production arrived in Essex, Robert and the team at Epping Ongar Railway prepared to welcome the vast operation that accompanies a major Hollywood film.
Image: laughing children in witches’ hat
The film sees the reunion of sisters Sally and Gillian Owens as they embark on another magical adventure. This time, part of their journey takes them through the English countryside by train.
“I didn’t really know what to expect at first,” explained Robert. “We’ve had a fair bit of filming here on the railway over the years, but nothing quite as big as this production.”
Moving history for the movies
While scenes were filmed on the railway itself, the production also required the controlled environment of a studio for interior filming.
One of the railway’s heritage carriages was carefully lifted onto a low-loader and transported to Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, where it was reassembled on set and became a key part of the production.
For Robert, who accompanied the carriage on its journey, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
“It was the first time I’d ever been on a film set in a studio,” he said. “It was an amazing experience. Everyone was incredibly friendly and focused on working together to create something special. It felt odd to see the carriage outside its usual setting, but I was proud that our heritage railway could contribute to such a big Hollywood film.”
Perhaps the most exciting part for visitors is knowing they can still experience a piece of movie history for themselves.
“What’s really cool is that you can sit in exactly the same seats where the stars sat in the film,” said Robert. “I’m watching the trailer thinking, that’s our train.'”
Epping Ongar Railway has gained popularity among film and TV producers in recent years. Its beautifully preserved stations, vintage rolling stock and authentic period atmosphere make it one of Essex’s most versatile filming locations.
An Essex star of the screen – Epping Ongar heritage railway
The railway has welcomed productions from across the television and film industry. In 2025, it featured in Netflix’s festive comedy Man vs Baby, the four-part Christmas special starring Rowan Atkinson. The station at Ongar became ‘Tring’ railway station where Trevor Bingley rushed to catch a train for an important house-sitting interview. providing the perfect backdrop for the opening scenes.
The heritage line also appeared in the BBC’s Death in Paradise Christmas Special the same year. For the production, North Weald Station was transformed into the fictional station of “Swindon East” for scenes set back in the UK, showcasing once again the railway’s remarkable ability to double for a number of locations.
The railway first opened in 1865 as part of what would later become the London Underground network and remained in passenger service until 1994. Since then, the line has been lovingly restored and now operates as a heritage railway, welcoming thousands of visitors every year.
Today, visitors can travel through the Essex countryside between historic stations, including North Weald, famed for its Victorian charm, and Ongar, with its distinctive architecture and period character.
For filmmakers, this mix of heritage, atmosphere, and flexibility makes the railway a perfect location. For visitors, it offers the chance to step into living history and, thanks to productions such as Practical Magic 2 perhaps discover a little movie magic of their own.
Practical Magic 2 opens in cinemas on 11 September 2026 before becoming available to rent and purchase on digital platforms later in the year.
For Robert and the railway’s dedicated volunteers, it serves as a reminder that sometimes a simple phone call can lead to something truly magical.
