Looking south-west at Bedford St Johns station from London Road bridge towards the triangular junction in June 1962. Bletchley is straight ahead and the goods yard and the connection to the Midland line is to the right. A larger water tank on a brick base is seen at the end of the up platform. A cattle dock is seen bottom right; pens are out of view at the back of the dock. This supplemented the livestock facilities in the goods yard.
Photo by Ben Brooksbank

A goods train is taking the curve towards Bletchley at the north end of the triangular junction in March 1963. The curve to Bedford St Johns can be seen behind the tender. St Leonards saw mills are on the extreme left; the scene is, however, dominated by W.H. & J. Rogers flour mill at the end of St Leonards Street. All this industry has now gone and is replaced with housing.
Photo by Ken Fairey

Two DMUs pass at Bedford St Johns station on a dull day in September 1965. The cattle dock in the foreground has obviously not seen any livestock for many years and the pens to the rear are long gone. gone. photo from John Mann collection

A 2-car Derby Lightweight DMU is at the down platform at Bedford St Johns station in April 1967 awaiting departure for Cambridge. The British Railways Derby Lightweight diesel multiple units were the first such trains to be built en-masse for British Railways. The units were built at BR's Derby Works from 1954 to 1955. They were constructed in various formations, including 12 power-twin 2-car units, 84 power-trailer 2-car units, and four 4-car units. They were also used on the Bletchley to
Banbury line via Buckingham.
Photo by John Evans from his Flickr photostream

Bedford St Johns station forecourt in April 1967. When the second platform at Bedford was opened with the Cambridge extension a wide canopy extended over the forecourt for the benefit of passengers arriving by coach or can during wet weather.
Photo by John Evans from his Flickr photostream

A 2-car Derby Lightweight DMU waits in the down platform at Bedford St Johns station in April 1967 before departure. With the demise of steam the water crane, seen between the tracks, was redundant by this time. It was fed from the water tank seen between the girders at the end of the up platform. The tall building in the background is W.H. & J. Rogers flour mill which was served by two private sidings.

Photo by John Evans from his Flickr photostream

An Cambridge-bound Derby Lightweight DMU is seen in the down platform of Bedford St Johns station in May 1967.
Photo by David Pearson

An Oxford-bound Derby Lightweight DMU is seen in the up platform of Bedford St Johns station in October 1967.
Photo by Geoffrey Skelsey

Bedford St Johns down platform seen from an approaching Cambridge train in December 1967, a week before the Oxford - Cambridge service was withdrawn. From 1 January Bedford St Johns reverted to its original status as a terminus.
Photo by Nick Catford

Bedford St Johns up platform seen from a passing Cambridge train in December 1967, a week before the Oxford - Cambridge line closed with just the middle section between Bletchley and Bedford remaining open.
Photo by Nick Catford

A 2-car Cravens Class 105 DMU is seen in the up platform at Bedford St Johns station in March 1968 with a service for Bletchley. Four months later staff were withdrawn and the station became little more than a terminus halt.

photo from John Mann collection

A goods train has just passed Bedford St Johns goods depot, which is seen on the far side of the Ampthill Road bridge c late 1960s. It has taken the Cambridge curve at the triangular junction and is now approaching Bedford St Johns station. The bridge is the site of the new Bedford St Johns station which opened on 14 May 1984. The south end of the new platform would be under the bridge.

Photo by Courtney Haydon

A Cravens Class 105 DMU has just arrived at Bletchley in May 1970. After the passengers have disembarked it will run under London Road and reverse into the opposite platform ready for the return journey to Bletchley. New platform lighting has been installed.
Photo by David Pearson

Click here for Bedford St Johns Station Gallery 3
May 1970 - Last day 12 May 1984

[Source: Nick Catford]

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