Power variety on the branch, 1965-2024
The Bedford – Bletchley line known locally as “the branch” has seen a good variety of power over the years and this multi section feature will list some of that power variety whether on tours, service trains, football specials, freight, unit drags or Network Rail test trains, researching this continues so keep an eye open for future lists updates.
Part One – Railtours on the branch
The recent visit by 1015 Western Champion was, we believe the first Western hauled Railtour to work the branch, other classes known to have worked tours are listed below. As yet we have no confirmed 57 hauled Railtour on the branch – gen welcome! Sample workings behind known classes to feature on Branch Railtours listed below.
Class 20’s – September 21st 2018
20311 and 20132 worked the GBRF 4 day tour down the branch on a Euston – Bletchley – Bedford – Wellinborough early morning turn as photted by TC at Forders below.
Class 25’s – October 29th 1983
25048 and 25245 worked the F + W “Bedford Bricker” tour down the branch working from Bletchley Flyover Summit to Stafford as photted by Dave Spencer at Kettering below.
Any excuse for a Anglo Scottish Freighter phot, heres Trev Rolfe’s memorable image of 25321 and 25316 climbing the Bletchley flyover before going down the branch to Bedford on May 4th 1984
Class 31’s – April 27th 1985
25198 and 31217 worked the return BBRUA Railtour from Eastbourne to Bedford from Mitre Bridge Jn via Bletchley having replaced 47597 here. The rare duo seen leaving Bletchley below..This tour called at all stations Bletchley – Bedford too!
Class 33’s – July 3rd 1993
33109 and 4TC worked the Alresford Clipper Railtour throughout from Bedford via Bletchley and the WCML.33109 was named “Captain Bill Smith” at Kensington Olympia on this tour too. Thanks to “TC” for this rare view of 33109 with the tour at Kempston Hardwick.
Class 37’s – November 3rd 2007
37410 and 37417 top and tailed the “Silverlink Swansong” tour after dark on the Bletchley – Bedford section of this Silverlink network tour.
Class 40 – November 5th 2005
The Capital Crusader from Liverpool to Euston was just made at Man Vic by myself and Neil Evans on a very nervy plus 5 due engineering work! The 40 worked over the Hope Valley and down to Bedford before a rare trip along the branch to Bletchley and then Euston
Thanks to “MIB” for this nice image of 40145 approaching the “Green Bridge” South of Bedford St Johns with the Capital Crusader tour on November 5th 2005
Class 45 – January 21st 1984
The “Mendip Artificer” took a Pancras commuter rake from St Pancras to Bedford where 45121 ran round to work to Bletchley, Claydon, Oxford, Swindon and Westbury. Very rare Western Region track for a peak. 45121 is seen here crossing Bletchley flyover with the tour
Class 47 – July 28th 2007
Not as common as many will think. 47847 topped and tailed 47853 on a return Nottingham – Guildford UK Railtour and is seen here on approach to Millbrook. This footpath crossing point has long been closed by Network Rail
Class 50 – October 9th 2004
50031 and 50049 worked Pathfinder’s “Alton Observer” Tour from Sheffield to London Victoria via the Midland and then down the branch. “TC” photted the pair near Forders as shown below
Class 52 – July 6th 2024
Not in the best of weather D1015 Western Champion worked the “Westbury Wizzo” tour throughout from East Midlands Parkway to Westbury and Cranmere via the branch, unusually in both directions. 1015 is seen here on approach to Bedford with the outward leg of the tour
Class 56 – May 29th 1993
Hertfordshire Railtours “Mothball” Tour was worked throughout by 56046 from Waterloo to Bedford via Oxford, Claydon and Bletchley. The tour returned South again via the branch, then a blast up the WCML to Euston.
56046 is seen here just off the flyover proper close to the TMD awaiting a points failure to be sorted at Fenny on May 29th 1993
Class 57 – November 8th 2014
57312 (top) and 57305 (tail) worked 1Z70 0741 Sheffield – Kensington O Northern Belle via the branch
Class 58 – August 16th 1997
Hertfordshire Railtours “Spin Doctor” saw 58024 working from London Victoria down the WCML to Bletchley then down the branch to Bedford for “peds” forward to Stratford-on-Avon. TC photted the tour approaching Kempston Hardwick below
Class 66 – January 27th 2001
Hertfordshire Railtours “Midland and Great Central” Tour took 66059 along the branch in both directions to and from Loughborough.
Class 67 – February 18th 2017
UK Railtours Midland Meanderer tour took 67029 topping and 67022 tailing a meandering route from Euston to Stratford on Avon that included the branch on the outward leg
Class 69 – August 3rd 2024
DC Rail’s 56 and 60s featured on other legs with 69008 working the Derby – Chessington leg of their tour via the branch
HST’s – class 43s
Not locos in my book but 43051 and 43064 worked Hertfordshire’s “Midland Peaks” tour from St Pancras to Bedford then along the branch and onwards to Oxford before heading to Matlock
Much more Bedford – Bletchley branch variety features to follow
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