IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Station Crescent, BEDFORD, MK43 0SQ

A residential cul de sac off Station Road.

A residential cul de sac off Station Road.

Used by trains from Bletchley to Bedford; the platform for trains in the opposite direction is behind the photographer. A Bedford train is approaching, hence the barrier being down and red lights flashing.

The barrier is down and the red lights are flashing ! Image] arrived a few moments later. Lidlington station is just to the left of this level crossing.

This little train - just three carriages including the engine unit is seen here crossing Image] just before arriving in Lidlington Station. It was moving very slowly as it was obviously about to stop. The name plaque on the side of the train tells us that it is called "Marston Vale"

Looking from Church Street across the railway to Station Road. The platforms of the station, on the Bedford to Bletchley line, are staggered either side of the crossing so that trains stop after the crossing in both directions.

This lane leads from the worryingly named Sheeptick End past Thrupp End Farm and out to the A421

At some point, a new Up platform was installed south west of the level crossing, in order to reduce the time the level crossing is closed to road traffic. The top surface of the original Up platform was removed but otherwise the platform was left in situ. The section nearest the camera appears to show that the platform was originally very low, and was subsequently raised beyond the station building (right, now a private residence). The Down platform (left), used by trains to Bedford, remains in its original position.

One of the new 'green' trains No. 230004 passing over the level crossing at Lidlington to enter the 'up' platform with a driver training working. The 'up' platform has been moved to the other side of the crossing from opposite the 'down' platform where the photographer is standing. This change was made when modern signalling was installed on the Marston Vale line. It helps to minimise level crossing closure and the build up of road traffic, now that there are no level crossing keepers. All signals and level crossings are now controlled remotely from a new Signalling Centre at Ridgmont. Other minor stations adjacent to level crossings on this line have been so modified.