Date: 17/07/2012

A MAJOR rail link which is set to bring jobs and investment to Bedford could be in place in just five years time. On Monday the Department For Transport confirmed in its high level output specification, which plans spending until 2019, that the western section of East West Rail Link, which travels between Bedford and Oxford will go ahead. The lines will also be electrified meaning that passengers can expect a more reliable and environmentally friendly service.

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Brick City. Stewartby (originally Wootton Pillinge), Bedfordshire, on the Oxford - Bedford line in 1974. Built to house workers of the London Brick Co, with kilns and chimneys surrounding the station and dominating the landscape. At its peak, this enormous site boasted 167 chimneys and produced 16 million bricks per day. [Editor's note: The last bricks were made here on 29 Feb 2008 following a rundown by owners Hanson, due to failure to meet limits for sulphur dioxide emissions. The 4 remaining chimneys on the site are now listed structures.]
Location: Stewartby
Company: Bedford Railway
16/02/1974 Ian Dinmore

A view from the road above of the 'new' St Johns station on the Bedford to Bletchley line. The vehicle recovery yard on the right contains four Standard cars - probably one of the largest collections anywhere! The train is the 15.55 from Bedford Midland to Bletchley. [See image 22133]
Location: Bedford St Johns (New)
Company: Bedford Railway
17/06/2011 Ken Strachan

Looking east to the former Verney Junction station in September 2009. Further east there was a junction between the Buckinghamshire Railway to Bletchley and the line to Quainton Road. To the west was the junction between the lines to Banbury and Oxford.
Location: Verney Junction
Company: Buckinghamshire Railway
06/09/2009 Ewan Crawford