A FULL hourly-timetabled service returned to the Marston Vale line between Bedford and Bletchley from February 19.
The 16-mile line, which connects the West Coast Main Line with the Midland Main Line, had been running with a limited peak hour service since November 2023. This began after a break of 11 months using rail replacement buses after Vivarail and its maintenance company went into administration, grounding the Class 230 DMUs that were introduced in 2019.
Due to the very short platforms on the route, only certain types of train can be used on the line. Operator London NorthWestern took on three Class 150/0 units from Northern which have been refurbished and rebranded, have a universally accessible toilet, feature an upgraded passenger information system and have USB charging points. Aperiod of driver training was also needed before the limited service could commence.