British Rail 1947 - 1997

The Branch Line Then and Now (Cont)

Stanbridgeford Station

Stanbridgeford station in Branch line times

The House was to have been knocked down to make way for the Leighton Buzzard by-pass but due to the owners and local opposition the by-pass was re-routed to cause the Stanbridgeford loop.

The Station house as it is now.

The platforms can still be seen in the garden of the house

This is the Weighing Room from the station and still exists in the garden of the house.

Sewell Bank and Cutting

Sewell bank was the steepest gradient on the Branch line. As Dunstable Station was on higher ground than Leighton Buzzard the Line had to climb at some point. This point was Sewell Bank where the gradient was 1 in 40. The rise became apparent when the train passed Gower's sidings.

The 5.38 train from Leighton Buzzard to Dunstable coming up Sewell Bank on 17 September 1955

This picture shows the view down Sewell Bank looking towards Stanbridgeford Station.

This shows the track further up looking towards Dunstable

This shows Sewell Cutting as it is now.