Varsity Line

Image: © Andrew Bodman Taken: 10 Sep 2018

The Varsity Line connected Oxford and Cambridge and train services ran on the section between Bedford and Cambridge until the end of 1967 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varsity_Line . Plans are underway to reopen the line in stages between Oxford and Cambridge, and the route is now known as East West Rail. Some local authorities have taken steps to protect disused rail routes. Hence much of the original alignment between Oxford and Bedford will be/is being reused as it was because it was not built over in the meantime. However, there are several places between Bedford and Cambridge where the old route has been built over, and consequently a completely fresh route is likely to be constructed for this section. The road in the foreground follows the alignment of the Varsity Line with Sandy Village Hall being situated to the right of the photo. In the distance can be seen Sandy Secondary School, which features turquoise coloured window frames. The Varsity Line would have passed through what are now the grounds of the school and would have been extremely close to the south west corner of the school building. A chord also took trains from Bedford to join the northbound East Coast Main Line. Details of the Sandy Stations and an old one inch Ordnance Survey map of the area may be found here http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/s/sandy/index.shtml More details of future plans for East West Rail are available from https://www.eastwestrail.org.uk/central-section-overview/

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