Rush Hour Trains at: Leighton Buzzard, WCML, 06/04/23

An amazing evening spent at Leighton Buzzard on the West Coast Mainline where we see no end of services from London Northwestern Railway, Avanti West Coast and freight from Freightliner, GBRF, DB Cargo UK, DRS and Royal Mail.
The station was opened by the London and Birmingham Railway in 1838 and was simply known as Leighton, the line had been planned to go through Buckingham but this was opposed by the Duke of Buckingham which forced the line to head east through Linslade. The original line was dual track.
In 1848 the station became a junction when the branch line to Dunstable was opened. This was used by freight and passenger traffic, the freight traffic would typically take animals from Dunstable and bring them to Leighton Buzzard where they would be unloaded and taken up into the high street for the local market. Freight traffic was introduced to the line in 1859 when the London and Northwestern Railway acquired the line to build a new station and incorporate a freight yard known as Wing Yard. The new station was located 160 meters to the south of the old station. This is now the current site of the station. The station used to have 2 signal boxes, the northern signal box controlled access to the branch line and the signal box to the south of the station was used for the actual control of the signals for the line, yes I know that doesn't make any sense what so ever but it seemed to work for them at the time.
In 1927 the LMS (London Midland and Scottish Railway) had created a cross over junction for the slow and fast lines. By this time the line had been made into 4 lines because of the amount of traffic running along the line, this was to play a major role in the first major train crash at Leighton Buzzard in 1931 when a driver on-board Royal-scot hit the cross over at 50-60 mph when he was actually supposed to take it at 15mph, 6 people died that day including the driver and the fireman as the loco turned over as it hit the junction.
In 1957 to 1958 the station buildings were rebuilt and a new concrete awning was constructed over the platforms, at the entrance to the station there was a new booking/waiting hall, central heating, electric lighting and a cycle storage area.
In 1967 Wing Yard was closed to freight traffic following the closure of the Dunstable branch line. The yard is now the car park which you see during the entirety of the film.
In 1989 the station went through a £1.8million make over which also included the platforms being lengthened to accommodate 12 car trains.
The latest change to this station was the removal of the old footbridge that would allow you to cross the station without having to go through the station building. So you could walk from Southcourt Avenue to the park behind the car park.
My next rush hour film will be from Peterborough on the East Coast Mainline.
You can find me Facebook through the group Tornado922. There you will find regular updates, videos and photos from all of my goings on throughout 2023.
You can also find me on Instagram through the name tornado922 where it isn't just rail content that I produce.

[@SlowLineTrainspotting]

GBRf bought 66301-66305 from DRS. At that stage, GBRf worked the water train. Great video!

[@nottinghamtransportenthusi2784]

66301-66305 will probably be repainted at some stage or another. GBRF took over from DB Cargo UK with the water train. The Garston car trains GBRF retook over from DRS.

[@SlowLineTrainspotting]

@@nottinghamtransportenthusi2784 Yes, I have noticed that the water train has still been DB Cargo from time to time (today it was pathed as DB Cargo but got cancelled) so I'm not sure what will happen with that in the future. Ex-DRS car trains are consistently GBRf now

[@nottinghamtransportenthusi2784]

@@SlowLineTrainspotting Using 66's whilst the Caledonian Sleeper use the 92's. Because the water train is now GBRF though, we could see the contact third rail shoe reintroduced on what are the now GBRF 92's and the car train could maybe see the same sort of traction but who knows!

[@chriswhitaker4577]

Hi Tornado922. Great rush hour film at Leighton Buzzard. Extra information for you: at 9:07, it was 390046 working the Avanti service from Glasgow Central, at 14:37, 221107 was at the front of the Avanti service from Holyhead, at 43:37, 221110 was on the rear of the Avanti service from Birmingham New Street (no idea about front 221) and at 50:00, it was indeed 390131 working the Avanti service from Manchester Piccadilly. I really hate thunderstorms. I don't mind hearing the rumbles. It's seeing the lightning flashes that scare me the most. Full marks to you for continuing with the film during the storm, though. You really pick good days to film trains, don't you? 😆 If it's not rain that gets in the way, it's a thunderstorm! Can't win them all. Looking forward to the next rush hour film at Peterborough. Kind regards, Chris.

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much Chris, I had a great time getting this all put together even if the weather was against me for the most part! I could see that storm getting ever closer and I really did think I was going to get away with it! But as always mother nature had other ideas and thought that I should get caught in it! But it made for a more enjoyable time weirdly!

[@chriswhitaker4577]

No problem, mate. Glad to hear you enjoyed yourself, even though Mother Nature wasn't on your side.

[@RWL2012]

The 350/2s are owned by Porterbrook, but the 350/1s, 350/3s and 350/4s are owned by Angel Trains.

[@Tornado922]

Thanks for letting me know :)

[@sarribel]

Loved it. THX

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much!

[@maimadha]

Rush hour was awesome!

[@Tornado922]

Rush hour on the WCML is amazing

[@the.trainspotter]

Great video, as always 👍

[@Tornado922]

Thank you kindly

[@Morehhjm]

Love your videos

[@Tornado922]

Thank you kindly

[@arnoldspottingvideos5269]

Nice vid Jarred. Great variety of freight workings there 👍. Can you do a rush hour trains at Northampton

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much, I love coming here and the rush hour period on the West Coast Mainline is always a great time of the day! I'm sure I will get Northampton covered at some stage

[@supersniperuk]

You are right the station has had loads of changes since I was a child late 70's to present day.

[@nottinghamtransportenthusi2784]

25:46 for the flash of lightning just visible through the reflection of 350370.

[@paulhill8224]

Great video

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much!

[@Spacebug111]

love the desiros

[@Tornado922]

They took some getting used to for me, but I've grown to like them

[@keiranclarke2955]

I've been to Leighton Buzzard once. I've never been on the WCML that much. I've been on the MML and the ECML a lot. I've been to the likes of Nottingham, Bedford, Luton, obviously Stevenage, Hitchin, Peterborough, Grantham, Leeds, York, Edinburgh Waverley, London Kings Cross, Finsbury Park and London St Pancras. I've been to Glasgow Central, Leighton Buzzard and London Euston and also Wembley Central on the WCML so I havent done the WCML that much.

[@Tornado922]

You certainly have been exploring alot lately!

[@robertstrainsnsw1596]

Great rush hour film at Leighton bizzard

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much

[@mrmemory3.14]

I was at Linslade creating a short on that day!

[@Tornado922]

Hope you didn't get caught in that storm!

[@michaelcooper6842]

Hi Jarred. DB group is being taken over, according to air cargo news. Mike Cooper. I love your shows.

[@Tornado922]

ah right ok, thanks for letting me know

[@arronsmith3721]

Another great vlog

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much!

[@TwmUkLive]

I might get away with this, might - cuts to hiding under the stairs 😂

[@alanshelly7068]

A very good Sunday evening buddy from Alan in Lowestoft buddy 👍

[@Tornado922]

Thank you kindly Alan

[@trainspotter66]

Love the 68

[@Tornado922]

It was great to see

[@lewispursglove3884]

GBRf took over the Danone train on 5th April. The 92 runs to Calais and back to Dollands where we then swap it over for a 66 to run through Kent, London and to Daventry via the WCML

[@Tornado922]

It would be lovely to see a 92 working the whole route

[@lewispursglove3884]

@@Tornado922 I think that maybe in the pipeline. Not too sure at the moment

[@Tornado922]

@@lewispursglove3884 I'll keep my fingers crossed!

[@SimonPrice-io6og]

Nice vid and trust you got caught in the monsoon of showers!!

[@nottinghamtransportenthusi2784]

He certainly did get caught in one yes!

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much, the heavens opened for me when I was there!

[@nottinghamtransportenthusi2784]

@@Tornado922 They certainly did!

[@JoshHodginsTrains]

Love this channel jarred keep up the amazing work 👏 🙌 what camera do you use really love the rush hour series 😀

[@quakerkid3280]

I keep picturing Peter Jones when I hear you talking lol.

[@Tornado922]

I hope that's a good thing haha

[@squidgytop.2050]

When you go back to Leighton buzzard, I suggest you go on the fast platforms

[@chrisatrailway7573]

Another great video and the 37 sounded amazing

[@alanshelly7068]

The 390s sound awesome at speed buddy

[@Tornado922]

They are amazing EMUs

[@MrIamcool3123]

I recommend you to do oxenholme Lake District rush hour film

[@Tornado922]

That won't be covered for a rush hour film. It's to far away

[@johnwayne2896]

U ment to say rush hour film and at 9:10 was 390046

[@Tornado922]

Just making sure you were on the ball haha

[@TheTrainSpotter2005]

31:55 68014 was on a Crewe Gresty bridge to Wembley move but unknown of the headcode, she had been up at Gresty bridge for some time prior to this move occurring 54:44 66747 would be that one

[@Tornado922]

Thanks for the added info!

[@alanshelly7068]

As the same with Leicester buddy

[@JacobEdwinHouse]

I'm moving to Leighton Buzzard in 10 days lovely town

[@Northern303]

66305 went from DRS to GBRf and as it carried Blue livery before only with DRS branding, its now unbranded. It might get repainted into GBRf livery soon or receive GBRf branding. As for the 350/2s, Eversholt are going to use them for experimentations.

[@Sophiebryson510]

The chiltern 68 must’ve been on a light loco move. How many of the 350s have you seen?

[@Tornado922]

The 68 was heading to Willesden apparently. I'm pretty sure I've seen all of the 350s now

[@alanshelly7068]

Give them the emr buddy

[@matthewwingrove6264]

I think the 350/2s are going to be going to transpenien express and class 730s are replacing the 350/2s

[@Tornado922]

The 350/2 units will be going off lease and onto pastures new, TPE won't be taking them

[@arnoldspottingvideos5269]

54:46 That was 66747 'Made in Sheffield'

[@Tornado922]

Thanks for letting me know

[@alanshelly7068]

Peterborough

[@Tornado922]

Peterborough has now been done

[@MrIamcool3123]

Please do rush hour film at Oxenholme Lake District

[@Tornado922]

The more you spam that the less likely I'm going to entertain the idea of going there

[@JacobExploresTheuk]

I'm from Leighton buzzard

[@H4RL3Y448]

I recorded 68014 on the same day lol, just at Nuneaton.

[@Tornado922]

It's a lovely livery

[@H4RL3Y448]

@@Tornado922 yes it is

[@H4RL3Y448]

Going nuneaton this Saturday too, not sure what will come but I'm hoping to get plenty of tones

[@AntonFanify]

350/2s are owned by Porterbrook and when LNWR has no need for them in a year or 2? Then, some other rail operator should have the need for this fleet. 1 thing that I am confused about is the 350/1s have the shoes at the bottom of the trains and they are staying with LNWR and the 350/2s doesn't have the shoe at the bottom of the train and they are leaving LNWR?

[@TheTrainSpotter2005]

Because The /1s were originally designated to become class 450s at the time of construction in early 2000s (to become 5 cars) however this was shelved and 120 carriages (out of the 160 originally ordered for SWT) were diverted and modified to become the class 350. However the shoes were kept. This would in fact be proven useful at one point as southern in 2009 had actually sub leased some of these to cover for 377/2s while FCC also subleased them to cover for the construction of there 377 units. (Yes there are several videos on KZbin on 350s on southern network)

[@Yoshithegamer77]

What is your favourite freight train?

[@Tornado922]

It would probably be the car train running from Dagenham to Mossend

[@Yoshithegamer77]

Nice. Just the other day I saw the Caledonian Sleeper train pass my local train station. (Welwyn North). Also, when are you next filming at Welwyn North? (I live near there)

[@MrIamcool3123]

Do oxenholme Lake District after this

[@Tornado922]

Why do you keep asking me to go there?

[@JBplaysMC]

Hello, Im wondering if you ever plan to come to scotland? Cause it seems you've not been there in a while😢

[@MrIamcool3123]

You are gonna go to oxenholme lake district

[@Tornado922]

No I won't

[@ziggezigster3206]

can you do a rush hour at kings cross and petrough

[@Tornado922]

Kings Cross will be done later this year

[@garybutcher2849]

any chance of another trains at linslade?

[@TheTrainSpotter2005]

5:26 Porterbrook owned the 350/2’s, Porterbrook have expressed interest in converting the /2’s into battery powered, this has been talked about a lot but nothing has come fruition nor who will operate them… But It’s porterbrook they always find a way, they’ll always convert everything!

[@Tornado922]

It will be nice to see them getting used elsewhere around the country

[@eddingtonrailroading]

#Savetheclass37

[@sexynisi1]

Rugby

[@Tornado922]

Rugby will be covered at some stage like it always is

[@Northern303]

730/1 will replace them

[@kennysvlogs4389]

54:46 it was 66747

[@ElliottGray-cz3jr]

805 train

[@supersniperuk]

Whey! My h home flan

[@MrIamcool3123]

Hello tornado why aren’t you replying

[@Tornado922]

I can't always get onto my channel to reply to comments immediately