Bletchley Stone traffic – Part 1 1972 – 1988
Stone began moving by rail to Bletchley in the early 70’s as the new city of Milton Keynes grew and grew. A terminal in the field sidings behind Bletchley’s – Bedford branch platforms remains open unlike the higher profile Wolverton “ARC” and Leagrave stone train flows. Initially Bletchley stone came from Westbury via Oxford and Bletchley flyover before switching to Peak Forest in the late 80’s.
A variety of locos including class 08, 37, 46, 47, 50, 52, 60 and 66 have worked the Bletchley stone. The train’s consist has progressed from short wheel base MLV’s to the huge bulk “JGA” bogie hoppers of today .
Westbury – Bletchley Stone times (1975)
6M53 1110 SX Westbury – Bletchley (via Oxford) arr Bley approx 1530
6V50 1828 SX Bletchley – Westbury (via Oxford)
Westbury – Bletchley Stone sample power
310573 – 1009 Western Invader
270875 – 1053 Western Patriach – needed assistance from 08221 from the foot of Bletchley flyover!
271076 – 1065 Western Consort
050177 – 1048 Western Lady – probably the last Western on the BY stone
120778 – 47002
210579 – 50016
270979 – 50014
310780 – 47324
Peak Forest – Bletchley Stone times (1987)
7A22 1432 Peak Forest – Bletchley via WCML, passing Northampton 1900 arr Bletchley 1930
Returned North overnight (via WCML)
Generally worked by a class 47 deep into the sectorisation era hauling short wheelbase wagons.
Peak Forest – Bletchley sample power
090985 – 47103
200287 – 47089 loco derailed at Chinley with Bletchley stone, derailed wagons also hit 31440, this was 47089’s last working
100388 – 47353 loco “borrowed” at Rugby to assist failed 86436 on 1422 Blackpool – Euston
Bletchley Stone phot spot
Memories courtesy of N L Cadge, D1009 Western Invader passes the site of Swanbourne Sidings with an eastbound loaded stone train from the Western Region on August 14th 1975
Ian Windmill’s classic view of 47002 descending the 1 in 142 bank from Mursley with the Bletchley stone on 120778. The distant signal is for Swanbourne sidings box closed in the mid 80’s
Ian Windmill’s elevated view of 47212 crossing Bletchley flyover with the Bletchley stone, 200978
Beat that for a classic local scene!, Ian Windmill’s Mursley view of 50014 back on 270979
Stone trucks and much stone fill the sidings at Bletchley, 140484. 2 x 25 are stabled in the holding sdgs and 86318 is “spare loco” in the Parcels bay. Taken from a passing railtour on 140484.
As the light fades, 47103 eases through Northampton’s centre road with 7A22 Peak Forest – Bletchley, 090985
By 1990 bogie air braked stone wagons were introduced on the Bletchley stone, class 37 x2, then class 60 then 66 mainly featured as linked below
Bletchley Stone part Two (1990-today)
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