A New Chapter for the Marston Vale Line with Vivarail! by Mr Stephen Sleight

ERTA Newsletter Article – May 2018

A New Chapter for the Marston Vale Line with Vivarail!

As many readers will no doubt be aware, the new West Midlands franchise began on 10^th December 2017 and is due to continue until 2026, with provisions in place for further extension under various criteria.

The company name is West Midlands Trains operating under two brands:

·         London Northwestern Railway (LNR, which includes the Marston Vale services)

·         West Midlands Railway.

The franchise will deliver about £1 billion in investment, with the main Marston Vale benefits being the introduction of Class 230 trains and the introduction of Bank Holiday services in 2018 and Sunday services by May 2021.

Vivarail has purchased a number of 230 ‘D-train’ units formerly operated by London Underground on the District Line.

West Midlands Trains are the first Train Operating Company to place an order; this is for 3 x 2 car units for the Marston Line to replace the current 150s and 153s. Units will be stabled and maintained at the Bletchley Train Maintenance Depot by Vivarail. The units will be completely overhauled with just the bodyshell and bogeys remaining from the original. The new trains will come into service in December 2018.

Marston Vale Community Rail Partnership (MVCRP) has been working closely with London Northwestern Railway over the specification. This includes:

·         Forward facing seating, some around full-sized tables

·         Fully accessible toilet

·         Dedicated cycle & buggy space

·         LED lighting

·         Automatic announcements on arrival at each station, which can be customised for local attractions, such as Ridgmont Station Heritage Centre

·         Passenger Information Display system, which can also be customised for local attractions 

·         Map of local attractions

They will initially diesel powered but there is scope to convert to battery operation in future. Further information is available at http://vivarail.co.uk

Stop Press! Special Services for Bedford River Festival – 14^th & 15^th July 2018

MVCRP is delighted to announce that we have special services for the Bedford River Festival again this year!

Highlights include:

• Late evening ‘Fireworks Flyer’ leaving Bedford at 11:10pm on the Saturday night
• Hourly Sunday service

The timetable will be published shortly.

There have been no late evening or Sunday services on the Marston Vale Line since the last Bedford River Festival in July 2016 so it’s important that these trains are as well patronised as possible. Please do travel if you possibly can and spread the word!

MVCRP hopes to have a stand in the Heritage Village (situated in St. Mary’s Gardens) at the Festival. Please pop in and say hello!

Don’t fancy the River Festival? Why not take the opportunity to use the special Sunday service for other great days out on the Marston Vale Line including:

•          Ridgmont Station Heritage Centre – special Sunday opening for the River Festival

•          Forest Centre & Millennium Country Park – a pleasant walk or cycle ride from Millbrook Station.

•          Bletchley Park – 2 for 1 entry for rail passengers

 

For further information on any aspect of MVCRP please visit www.marstonvalecommunityrail.org.uk or contact Stephen Sleight on 01234 832645 or e-mail stephens@bedsrcc.org.uk.

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