Date: 15/12/2017

THE company which will develop and operate the East West Rail Link between Oxford, Bedford and eventually Cambridge has been given a formal launch at Bletchley station on the West Coast Main Line, when it was announced that the new company will start work in April. Transport secretary Chris Grayling (pictured) described the project as the perfect example of how we can revitalise the railways, grow the network and unlock jobs and housing growth, while the interim chairman of the new company, Rob Brighouse, said: This railway has huge potential to spread prosperity all the way along the line, making life better for those who live and work here. Thats why its so important to deliver it quickly and cost effectively; and thats what the East West Railway Company has been set up to do.

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East West Rail to be a ‘diesel commuter railway’

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THE company which will develop and operate the East West Rail Link between Oxford, Bedford and eventually Cambridge has been given a formal launch at ...

Related images

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 down 350 calls at Bletchley in June 2011. The viaduct in the background was built about 1960 for access to Swanbourne yard - which was never built, due to the rapid decline in wagonload traffic. The viaduct may yet be used for a revived East-West link, if they can afford to attach a platform and lifts to it. In 1985, I saw an empty stock DMU with saloon lights lit crossing from East to West - a rather fetching sight at dusk.
Location: Bletchley
Company: London and Birmingham Railway
10/06/2011 Ken Strachan

Platform remains at Potton on the Bedford - Cambridge line in September 2007 [see image 16444].
Location: Potton
Company: Bedford and Cambridge Railway
2/09/2007 Bill Roberton