I found a tenuous link to aviation regarding this railway line, thanks to a cousin of mine who grew up in Laindon.

Quote “….The old L.M.S. Steam Train, what memories come flooding back – travelling up to London and looking out of the window and seeing a German Bomber flying overhead. Looking in the mirror when arriving home to see black sooty streaks on ones face. The train pulling into the station about 11.00 p.m on a foggy night, after the engine ran out of steam and we waited for another Engine to come from Stratford to push us up the rear….”