The Marston Vale Community Rail Partnership
Tue, Jan 28th 2025 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Our Speaker this evening is Mr Stephen Sleight (Guests)
Our speaker for this evening was Stephen Sleight ,Transport Team Leader (Rail) representing Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity, who provided an indepth overview of the Martson Vale Railway, tracing the history from its inception in 1846 to the present. This double track, a remnant of the former Varsity Line connecting Oxford to Cambridge, is currently owned by Network Rail and spans 16 miles from Bletchley to Bedford. Over the years, various operators and franchise holders have managed the line, utiising a diverse range of rolling stock. In 2017, West Midlands Trains assunmed control of the franchise, staff, rolling stock under the name London North Western Railway, offering an hourly service in both directions from Monday to Saturday. The line is part of a larger iniative amongst British railways aimed at boosting local useage by engaging the community through special trains during Christmas and Easter, organising outings for Youth and Art Groups for activities like walking, cycling, or exploring points of interest, along with a dedicated gardening group. Additionally there is a Heritage Centre at Ridgemont Station.,which features a museum, gift shop, and tea room
Stephen said he would be delighted to arrange for the Club to have a day out on the line.
Rtn William..
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