Railway Activity in Our Area - Part 3

The west end of the line has now become busier for freight as a result of the re-opening of the Flyover line and run round loop at Newton Longville in connection with the Forders Sidings “virtual quarry”. (see Infrastructure Trains). As mentioned under “Block Trains” the Bletchley - Peak Forest and return aggregates train, 6B10 and 6H72 are currently routed across the Branch due to the remodeling work going on at Rugby.

66073 crosses Bletchley Flyover on Crewe Basford Hall to Forders Sidings infrastructure service.

60059 'Swinden Dalesman' in Loadhaul livery crosses the Grand Union Canal at Fenny Stratford on 6H55 10.40 Bletchley-Peak Forest

OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST

Rugby SCC covers the line from Kings Langley to Stoke Hammond and from the Ouse Viaduct north of Wolverton to just outside Rugby via Weedon and to Hunsbury Hill on the Northampton Loop. Bletchley PSB still controls from Stoke Hammond to Wolverton but will lose the section from Denbigh Hall North Jc through to Wolverton at Christmas 2008 when the remodeling work at Milton Keynes Central is completed and this part goes over to be covered by Rugby SCC. The Bletchley – Bedford Branch is controlled by the Marston Vale SCC which is located at Ridgmont.

At Wolverton the Works still carries out repair and refurbishment work but one of it`s most important duties is looking after the Royal Train which can be seen from time to time running empty to/from this location. Various EMUs can be seen from time to time arriving for attention here and these mainly include at present Class 319, 323 and 442s. The Works has now taken on the role of repairing accident damage and sees examples of units from far and wide which has included a Class 334 from Scotland, 450 from SWT and a 158 from Arriva Wales, plus odd examples of main line coaching stock which mainly arrive in the Centre Sidings. This location can be found located between the Slow lines to the south of the Station. The Works Class 08 shunter then takes them into the factory complex.

Whilst at Wolverton one must not forget the Tramway which ran from Wolverton Station to Stony Stratford and for a short while to Deanshanger. Unfortunately it fell foul to the 1926 General Strike and never operated again. Artifacts including one of the double deck trailers can be found at the Milton Keynes Museum of Rural Life near Wolverton and also included on display are sections of recovered rail which have been discovered over the years.

Wolverton Works shunter 'Tichie'.

WAGN (now FCC) Class 313 being shunted out of Wolverton Works by 08629.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Most of the stations on the WCML provide opportunities for photographers, but with overhead line equipment being present this does limit views from the side of the line unless you are prepared to take distant/scenic shots.

The most photogenic location on this section of the line lies just to the north of Linslade Tunnel where the line is on a curve and Old Linslade Church is in the background together with the Grand Union Canal. The completion of the Stoke Hammond bypass has now given further opportunities for photographs as the road parallels the railway on the Down side for quite some distance.

Another good location is at Denbigh Hall where the WCML crosses the A5 as recent illustrations on this site show. Access to this point can be gained from the nearby Watling Street V4.

Although the Bletchley - Bedford line has now been resignalled good photographs of trains working on the line can be had from the many level crossings such as Fenny Stratford, Bow Brickhill, Woburn Sands and Aspley Guise.

01/10/08