The Marston Vale Community Rail Partnership is managed by Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity (BRCC), the leading community development agency working across Bedfordshire, with a proven track record built up over 60 years.
Railway 200
2025 is the 200th anniversary of the birth of the modern railway. Britain and the world changed forever. Railway 200 celebrates the past, present and future of rail.
Join us as we mark this special occasion with a range of events and activities throughout the year.
Watch the official Railway 200 video:
Find out more about national events and activities here >
Community Rail Partnerships
Marston Vale Community Rail Partnership is one of a growing number of Community Rail Partnerships across the country.
They work to engage communities and help people get the most from their railways, promoting social inclusion and sustainable travel.
Community Rail Partnerships work alongside train operators to deliver improvements and bring stations back to life.
For more information please visit:
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Train Information
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Keep up to date with all the latest Marston Vale Line news and events.
Contact us
E-mail
officer@marstonvalecommunityrail.org.uk
Phone
01234 832645
Post
Marston Vale Community Rail Partnership,
The Old School, Cardington,
Bedford, Bedfordshire
MK44 3SX
We have been deeply shocked and saddened to hear of the train collision near Bedford on Friday.
Our thoughts are with the family & friends of the train driver who very sadly lost his life, all those injured and the railway staff & emergency services who were at the scene.
A complex recovery operation has begun to remove the damaged trains before Network Rail engineers assess any damage and complete necessary repairs.
The line between Bedford & Luton is expected to be closed until at least the end of the day on Friday 26th June. The following stations will have no Thameslink service:
• Bedford
• Flitwick
• Harlington
• Leagrave
A very limited rail replacement bus service will run between Bedford and Luton.
Please see www.thameslinkrailway.com
East Midlands Railway and Thameslink ticket holders are being accepted on the Marston Vale Line.
East Midlands Railway have established a dedicated ‘phone line for passengers and their families who were directly involved in the incident. The line is staffed by trained colleagues who will be able to help with queries including the return of personal possessions and refer customers and families to the British Red Cross should further support be needed.
The telephone number is 0333 212 59 34 – open at the following times:
• Monday - Friday: 07:00 - 20:00
• Saturday: 08:00 - 20:00
• Sunday: 10:00 - 20:00
#CommunityRail #bedford
Ridgmont Station Heritage Centre
Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity
London Northwestern Railway
East Midlands Railway
EMR Community Rail
Thameslink
Community Rail Network
Beds & Herts Community Rail Partnership
Bedford to Bletchley Rail Users' Association
@followers ... See MoreSee Less
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It's disappointing that Bedford-Bletchley is mentioned nowhere in the National Rail travel advice. If you are heading for London you are doomed to use buses or find your way to another main line. Odd, because you can still get from Bedford to London by rail, with only one change.
OUR THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOU. From your Community Rail and ‘Railway Family’ colleagues at ‘The Friends of Fareham Railway Station’. ❤️
It's quite sad and emotional I hope everyone is ok I'm wearing a lanyard with my EMR smart card to pay respects to everyone who's involved and the death of the driver
Just a couple of days left to respond to the last East West Rail route wide consultation - open until midnight on 9th June.
The latest proposals include the following:
• Closure of 5 stations - Kempston Hardwick, Millbrook, Aspley Guise, Bow Brickhill & Fenny Stratford
• Relocation of 4 stations - Woburn Sands, Ridgmont, Lidlington and Stewartby.
• Electrification of the Marston Vale Line
• Closure of Millbrook Level Crossing
Check out bit.ly/4t6RJex
Don’t miss the chance to have your say!
#CommunityRail #lidlington #fennystratford #aspleyguise #millbrookvillage #consultation #HaveYourSay
Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity
Ridgmont Station Heritage Centre
London Northwestern Railway
Forest of Marston Vale
Kimberley 6th Form College
Bedford Credit Union
Community Rail Network
Bedford to Bletchley Rail Users' Association
Beds & Herts Community Rail Partnership
@followers
Save Fenny Stratford Station
Bletchley Fenny Stratford TC
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Fenny Stratford,Bow Brickhill and Aspley Guise should stay open and Woburn Sands and Ridgmont should remain where they are.
Keep Millbrook rail.way Station open.its part of our Public Transport system. How are we ment to go to Bedford or Bletchley quickly if you close it down.
I think no matter what our views are its not gonna change.. even tho Lidlington used to be so quiet n peaceful n safe 4 kids to go out n play n walk places in the village.. yet now don't seem safe too many cars.. big lorries .. ppl speeding at all hrs.. its like living in a town now not a village.
Fenny Stratford,Bow Brickhill and Fenny Stratford should stay open.
as it is in Marston 5 articulated car Transporters in convoy to UTAC this morning thought access was blocked off
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Hop on the train to Milton Keynes (via Bletchley) for the fantastic Milton Keynes Model Railway Society Exhibition tomorrow (Saturday 6th June)!
There's something for all the family with layouts of all gauges, trade stands, demonstrations & refreshments! It's all happening at Walton High Brooklands Campus, Brooklands, MK10 7HE – 10:00 – 4:30.
Check out mkmrs.org.uk/2026-exhibition
Frequent bus service from Milton Keynes Central Station via Arriva Milton Keynes Route 3.
Don’t forget groups of 3 – 9 adults travel for a third off with GroupSave and Bedfordshire Bus Pass holders travel half-price (ticket available at staffed stations and on the train only).
We will be there with an information and sales stand – with some special show offers!
Cash only.
Bedford to Bletchley Rail Users' Association will be there too.
#CommunityRail #CommunityRailWeek #journeysforall
#miltonkeynes #modelrailway #familyfun #networksoutheast
Ridgmont Station Heritage Centre
Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity
London Northwestern Railway
Avanti West Coast
Community Rail Network
Beds & Herts Community Rail Partnership
East West Railway Company
@followers
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Comment on Facebook
Sorry a bit far to go from yorkshire
Great day in Bedford today promoting our lovely Line and celebrating Community Rail Week. Thanks to all those who braved the weather to visit, it was great to see you!
Thanks to our willing team of volunteers and the team at Bedford Market who supplied the gazebo.
The winners of the competition – prizes kindly donated by Thameslink will be notified in the next few days.
We’ve had a good Community Rail Week so far with several other fantastic events and more to come! Watch this space!
#CommunityRailWeek #bedford #journeysforall
Bedford Borough Council Community Rail Network
Bedford Borough Libraries
Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity
London Northwestern Railway
EMR Community Rail
Avanti West Coast
Ridgmont Station Heritage Centre
Forest of Marston Vale
Bletchley Park
Greensand Country
The Higgins Bedford
Community Rail Network
Bedford Radio
Bedford to Bletchley Rail Users' Association
Beds & Herts Community Rail Partnership
Abbey Line Community Rail Partnership
Gallone's Ice Cream Bedford ... See MoreSee Less
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Amazing work, team 🙌 Happy #CommunityRailWeek.
Join the Bedford Railway Club at 7:45 pm tomorrow (2nd June) at St John’s Church Hall, St John’s Street Bedford MK42 0DL when Sean Devaney will be giving an illustrated talk on growing up in the crossing keepers house at Kempston Hardwick.
St John’s Church Hall is just a short walk from Bedford St Johns Station. Entry fee just £3.
Don’t forget our special Marston Vale Line 180th Anniversary display in the foyer at our good friends The Higgins Bedford until 7th June. This display has been curated by our fantastic Friends of Ridgmont Station volunteers, sharing key milestones and stories for the Marston Vale Line over the decades. Free Entry!
The display includes a memories folder containing a selection of photos depicting places, trains and events related to the line. Visitors are invited to share memories these photos evoke for them or to complete a ‘Share Your Story’ postcard.
This is all part of our Marston Vale 180 Memories Project through which we will be compiling and publishing 180 memories about the line, community and stations from local people.
Also just a short walk from Bedford St Johns station!
#CommunityRail #RailwayHistory #steamtrain #memories #shareyourstory #bedford #journeysforall #CommunityRailWeek
Community Rail Network
Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity
Ridgmont Station Heritage Centre
Bedford Borough Council
London Northwestern Railway
Forest of Marston Vale
Bedford to Bletchley Rail Users' Association
Beds & Herts Community Rail Partnership
Arts Council England
@followers East West Railway Company
Rail Delivery Group
Bedfordshire Archives
EMR Community Rail ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Its not the Bedford Railway Club. Its the LCGB Bedford Branch and has been for 60+ years !!
Brad Hill