A Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity Project
Marston Vale Line 180th Anniversary Display at Bedford Visitor Information Centre
10 June to 30 June 2026 The Marston Vale Line celebrates its 180th anniversary on 17 November 2026! By popular demand, the special 180th Anniversary Display has opened at the Bedford Visitor Information Centre – following its premiere at the Higgins Bedford. This display is curated by the Friends of Ridgmont Station volunteers, sharing key…
Rails to Roots at Ridgmont Station Heritage Centre Winner of Best Community Engagement Project at 2026 Community Rail Awards!
Marston Vale Community Rail Partnership (CRP) is celebrating national recognition after winning ‘Best Community Engagement Project’ at the 21st Community Rail Awards, for its innovative work engaging communities with their local railway. The event, organised by Community Rail Network and supported by headline partner East Midlands Railway, took place at Derby Arena on 19 March.…
Ridgmont Station Heritage Centre Reopening
Ridgmont Station Heritage Centre is open again after the Friends of Ridgmont Station volunteer team had a well-deserved winter break. Opening hours are Wednesday – Friday 11:00 – 3:00. Free entry! Donations are welcome. Guided tours provided by the Friends of Ridgmont Station. Tea/coffee, soft drinks, homemade cakes & scones available served by the Friends…
Railway 200 Show Dates Announced for Bletchley & Bedford on 29th & 30th November 2025
We are delighted to announce a special Railway 200 Show is coming to the Marston Vale Line area! Railway 200 : The Show is A comical, educational and entertaining look back at our railways from the past 200 years. Suitable for all ages. This brand-new show from Gare Du Nord Theatre retells the story of…
Bedfordshire Brickworks Exhibition at Ridgmont Station Heritage Centre
Take a step back into Bedfordshire’s past at a special one-day Brickworks Exhibition at Ridgmont Station Heritage Centre on Friday 19th September 2025 from 10:00 – 4:00. Free entry! The brickworks are an integral part of the history of Bedfordshire and were a key feature of the Marston Vale Line for many years. Andrew Mortlock,…
Heritage Open Days at Ridgmont Station Heritage Centre
Ridgmont Station Heritage Centre is pleased to be participating in Heritage Open Days 2025. Special opening times are as follows: Discover the story of the restoration of the Heritage Centre, those who lived & worked there, the history of the Marston Vale Railway Line and an insight into Railway 200, celebrating 200 years of the…
Marston Vale CRP Reaccredited by Department for Transport
Marston Vale Community Rail Partnership (MVCRP) was reaccredited by the Department for Transport (DfT) on 19th March 2025 following a review meeting in September 2024. MVCRP was one of the first of the growing number of over 75 Community Rail Partnerships across the country to be awarded Accreditation status in February 2020 and was reaccredited…
East West Rail Consultation
The East West Railway Company are running a Non-Statutory Consultation over their latest proposals. Visit https://eastwestrail.co.uk/consultation2024 Two options are proposed for the Marston Vale Line: Continuation of the current stopping service between Bletchley and Bedford calling at all nine existing stations between Fenny Stratford & Kempston Hardwick. In addition, two Oxford to Cambridge East West…
Suspension of Marston Vale Line Service Due to Flooding
Services have been suspended due to flooding and the need for urgent repairs to the track. A full rail replacement bus service (all stations and limited stop) is being provided in the meantime. All vehicles are accessible. Dedicated buses are being provided for Kimberley College students travelling from Bedford and Bedford St Johns. Services are…
£1 Ticket Offer Extended Again Until 16th November 2024!
The special Marston Vale Line £1 ticket offer has been extended by popular request for a further 3 months until 16th November. A single journey between any two Marston Vale Line stations is just £1 for adults and 50p for children. This offers a discount of up to 90% on the usual fare. Railcard and…