Leighton – Dunstable
The double track former LMS Leighton Buzzard – Dunstable line was virtually solidly steam powered until closure to passenger on July 2nd 1962 and freight on January 1st 1966. However regular freight traffic survived on the 1 mile long Leighton Buzzard – Grovebury Sidings section with much Leighton area sand being dispatched over the years. Obviously, this saw much diesel traction but unfortunately there are no records of the power, but class 24, 25, 40 and 47 probably worked down the surviving stub of the former LMS branch until 1969. Class 47 1672 worked the last ever freight to and from Grovebury Sidings on 24th July 1969.
Thanks to Frank Cheevers for this nostalgia rich image of D1672 at Grovebury Sidings with the last revenue earning freight on December 5th 1969
Dunstable – Luton – Hatfield freight
The single track former LNER Dunstable – Hatfield line saw the introduction of diesel hauled freight around 1959, an early unusual working saw class 03 shunter working a Luton – Dunstable freight on February 2nd 1959. A good variety of first generation diesels would have worked freight on various sections of the branch especially class 20 but a good few NBL class 21’s plus from 1962 class 31’s became regular performers until closure of the Hatfield – Luton Bute St to freight in Nov 65 when a new chord linking the Dunstable branch stub with the Midland main line was opened just East of Luton Bute St.
Photographer unknown but a superb record of a class 20 on freight at Dunstable North in March 1965
The rare sight of a Midland loco with class 27 5412 at East Hyde with the demolition train in May 1966,a Robert Wade photo
Dunstable –Luton – Hatfield Passenger
First generation Diesel power perhaps began on the Hatfield – Luton Bute St section on September 6th 1958 when “toffee apple” class 30 D5506 worked an Upminster – Luton Bute Street football special via Hatfield. For the record Luton beat West Ham won 4-1!
Composed of “Quad Art” suburban and early Mk I stock, Dunstable – Hatfield and the evening peak 1802 Moorgate – Dunstable via Hatfield and Luton Bute St saw a good variety of class 20, 21, 26 and 31 passenger power until June 1962 when Cravens DMUs took over what were, by then largely Dunstable – Luton and Luton – Hatfield separate services.
Class 26 5314 at Dunstable North having arrived on the 1802from Moorgate in 1959
A Cravens DMU at Dunstable Town station in the early 60’s
A Cravens DMU with the afternoon service for Hatfield at Dunstable North a week before passenger services ceased.
By 1965 with closure initially refused, the Luton – Dunstable DMU service was down to a meagre 2 trains a day, albeit with more on Saturdays for Luton Town traffic but frequent road transport competition saw the final closure date announced as April 24th 1965.
The last day of Hatfield– Dunstable passenger services on April 24th 1965 is well documented with strengthened Cravens DMUs, class 20 8046 and class 31 5589 all featuring, 8046 working the very last “Skimpot Flyer” 1925 Dunstable – Welwyn with a big rake of packed coaches!
Thanks to David Pearson for this last day view of 5589 leaving Dunstable Town station for Hatfield
Sample power variety on the Hatfield – Dunstable/Dunstable – L.Buzzard lines 1958-1970
Loco Class Date Train
2002 03 170259 Luton – Dunstable freight
3699 08 270273 Trip working
82xx} 15-BTH 0370 rubbish trains to Blackbridge Sdgs nr Wheathampsted
82xx}
8045 20 050863 Hatfield – Dunstable freight
8046 20 240465 The final 1925 Dunstable – Welwyn “Skimpot Flyer”
Thanks to David Pearson with the late SBLC’s top man Brian Lockey at Dunstable Town station with 8046 on the final Hatfield – Dunstable service on the last day, April 24th 1965
6100 21 080759 1802 Moorgate – Dunstable
5905 23 060662 0630 Dunstable – Hatfield
5067 24 080362 L.Buzzard – Luton additional passenger
7663 25 030373 Luton – Dunstable morning cement portions
5314 26 150659 1802 Moorgate – Dunstable
5387} 27 041267 Dunstable – Luton loaded cement
5376}
5412 27 0566 Track lifting at East Hyde (East of Luton)
5589 31 240465 Hatfield – Dunstable passenger
5671 31 190861 1214 SO Welwyn – Luton BS
1672 47 051269 final revenue earning freight from Grovebury Sdgs
51266/56461/51257/56428 Cravens DMU 141164 1610 Welwyn – Dunstable
9 years after closure whilst stabled at Hitchin South in Feb 1974, the Cravens DMU has Dunstable in her blind!
To add to the 12 classes listed above, the 70/80’s also saw class 33, 40, 45, 46, 56 and 58 visit the branch, thats 18 different classes!!
Link to our full Dunstable branch feature with much gen and many phots
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Leighton Lists 