The Marston Vale Line, Class 230 Demise and East West Rail Future

In 2019 Class 230 D-Train DMUs built by rolling stock manufacturer Vivarail replaced the Class 150 and Class 153s that had previously operated passenger services on the The Marston Vale Line. The line runs between Bletchley and Bedford and forms at important strategic link between the West Coast Mainline and the Midland Mainline. It is set to become part of the new East West Rail project currently under construction. This will reinstate the former Varisty Line which ran between Oxford and Cambridge and which closed in the 1960s.

[@simoncoppingongoogle850]

I get the closing of lines in the 60's. I get the lifting of the track. The short sightedness that always astounds me is that they let people build on the track bed.

[@LinesideSouthEast]

Very true, very short sited thinking to allow that to happen.

[@mikeuk4130]

Thanks for covering such an interesting topic so thoroughly.

[@LinesideSouthEast]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@folksinger2100]

And the people of Wales still cannot travel from North to South without passing through england, in addition the Welsh Universities were linked by this original North - South route sadly no longer, most of the track bed is in place and ready to go.

[@flyingscotsman_a3]

I’ve learnt a fair amount from this video! Shame about the 230s though, I was looking forward to riding them!

[@LinesideSouthEast]

I was as well!

[@bfapple]

You've still got a chance with the TfW and IoW units.

[@N330AA]

I used to go sailing at Stewartby lake when i was a kid, many years ago.

[@benGBRf]

Fascinating video Ant. Wasn't aware of the story with Vivarail and its 230s so thanks for sharing that. 👍🏻

[@peterjones3557]

Thanks for this, especially the excellent informative commentary. A lot of these short railway videos have no commentary at all; annoying for foreign viewers who are unaware of the context.

[@LinesideSouthEast]

Many thanks, I only recently started adding commentary to my videos so I am glad they are help.

[@theovanstaden5766]

Thank You for all the Great footage and information about this line!

[@EM-yk1dw]

Excellent film

[@mikehindson-evans159]

Thanks for a most-useful and informative video; I hadn't realised that VIVARail had plated over the middle two doorways on the original LU:L D-train structure. This should cut down on drafts. Thanks for the EWR update as well, including some useful history. Thanks also for explaining which way the camera was pointing (in most of the shots :-) - appreciate your work. Might I please ask what camera you use for these excellent, stable shots? Mike

[@LinesideSouthEast]

Thanks, glad you found the video informative. I am currently using and a JVC GY-HM170E and a Canon G30 for the hand held shots as it's smaller and lighter than the JVC.

[@MalcolmCrabbe]

Interesting video Tony. It does show how short sighted BR was when under Beeching's guidance so many branch and cross country lines were ripped up, including the link between Bedford and Cambridge, only to be rebuilt 6 decades later, probably at more cost than it would have been to keep the lines running over those years !

[@darthwiizius]

That's what happens when you take a paid Tory lobbyist for the car manufacturers and make them head of the railways. Beeching = bent as a right angle.

[@ds1868]

The line wasn't part of the Beeching cuts. The report stated this line should stay open. It closed for other reasons.

[@gilesitsnot2676]

I think we've seen the last of the Class 230's, as the Administrators of VivaRail have had no realistic offers for them. London North Western are trying to acquire Class 150s to reinstate the Marston Vale line. LNW reported that while Class 230's were operating on this line, the diesel motors were having to be swapped out by VivaRail at up the 3 times a week! And because of the associated higher maintenance costs it was seen as an unsuccessful trial and LNW want nothing more to do with them. I think a pair of 230's would make an interesting addition to a heritage railway, and they may be able to get them for scrap value, but if the reliability of the motors is that bad, I suppose nobody will want them and off to scrap is where they'll go...

[@bfapple]

Not quite - the TfW Class 230s are coming into service today, and GWR now owns 230001.

[@mar07in]

GWR in fact purchased some assets for trials on its network, particularly the Greenford branch. It could see a resurgence there.

[@gilesitsnot2676]

You mentioned electrification; EWR have stated that electrification of the line is not in the scope of any phase of the current EWR construction project. The hope is that future electric/battery hybrid trains will allow batteries to charge while running on electrified sections, or fast-charge at termini and run on battery power on non-electrified sections, negating the need for catenary infrastructure for the whole of the line. It is this technology that VivaRail were working on before they went into administration, and GWR have bought the intellectual rights and hardware from the administrators.

[@LinesideSouthEast]

Thanks for the information regarding VivaRail. The information regarding the electrification of the EWR came from Network Rail and was in relation to their proposed "electric spine" from the south coast to the midlands. This would involve not only installing overhead wires on the EWR but also between Reading and Basingstoke and south all the way to Southampton! An ambitious project to say the least and one I cannot see happening in the near future.

[@EdgyNumber1]

There is passive provision but would need further works to raise existing non-modifoed bridges. At the moment the focus is getting the services running, then work on the following link to Cambridge after. Electrification not likely to happen in my lifetime.

[@Carlos-im3hn]

There are also the new X-Energy nuclear reactors (Xe-100) which are being approved to build 40 total (4 per 10 plants) across UK. This by mid 2030's will provide 3.2 GWe and could be used to electrify a large number of rail lines including EWR. I am now keeping notes on their new "green" power plant progress.

[@nigelwest3430]

The Bedford bullet

[@LadySophieofHougunManor7325]

Awesome film I’ve subbed

[@LinesideSouthEast]

Many thanks!

[@LadySophieofHougunManor7325]

@@LinesideSouthEast your welcome

[@joginns778]

Excellent video it's good to see this put back to use ar Winslow the graffiti idiots have started already on the new footbridge the green one just west of the station leading to the cemetery,

[@LinesideSouthEast]

Many thanks. I really don't understand those graffiti vandals, just so depressing.

[@joginns778]

@@LinesideSouthEast what worries me is if Winslow station is unmanned the graffiti thug's will have a field day,iread Aviva have been bought by great western trains,

[@ancientsolar2]

hmm, I wonder what will happen to the 230s now! - A new one has just been introduced on the Wrexham-Bidston line.

[@joginns778]

The last I heard about the 230s great western train were interested in having them,

[@RandomTFLupdates-PEPS_FOR_LIFE]

What camra do you use?

[@LinesideSouthEast]

Primarily a JVC GY-HM170E but I occasionally use my old Canon G30 for handheld filming as it's smaller and lighter.

[@RandomTFLupdates-PEPS_FOR_LIFE]

@@LinesideSouthEast how much are they?

[@LinesideSouthEast]

@@RandomTFLupdates-PEPS_FOR_LIFE The JVC is around £1300 new, I don't think the Canon is being made anymore.

[@chrismccartney8668]

So no one can maintain these unit ?

[@LinesideSouthEast]

Transport for Wales maintain the ones they have so it can be done.

[@WildWildWeasel]

That line has a lot of ancient stock still running, those things have no aircon and they ride like crap, and also have too little cars. But eh, a train is a train I guess.

[@LinesideSouthEast]

Not at the moment, just bus replacements currently!

[@andrewbutler6477]

Gwr have 20 769 units lying around doing nothing why don't they use these !!!!

[@mar07in]

true, but 769 are dreadful compared to 230s

[@LinesideSouthEast]

The line is operated by the London Northwestern Railway not GWR. I believe GWR have decided not to introduce the 769s into service so I doubt any other operators would want to take them off their hands.

[@markstarmer3677]

Regarding the map on your initial picture. I thought the West coast mainline went from London to Glasgow, and the East coast London to Edinburgh. You have put Edinburgh on the map.

[@LinesideSouthEast]

Well spotted, you are quite right, my mistake!

[@markstarmer3677]

@@LinesideSouthEast no worries old boy. Great channel.