A new routing for Leighton Buzzard Railway and an extension to follow
The Leighton Buzzard Railway reopened for 2022 on Sunday 13 March with the 1030 departure from Page’s Park being the first public train to operate under the new bridge alongside Vandyke Road. Funded by developer Arnold White Group, and ensuring the railway’s future, the bridge carries the new Leighton Buzzard Eastern Link Road over the track, which was diverted a short distance away from its original route as a result.
There was also a second milestone to commemorate on opening day. An extra departure was operated by popular locomotive Peter Pan, which was celebrating its 100th birthday, having been delivered by Kerr Stuart of Stoke-on-Trent on 8 March 1922.
More special events are planned for March and April, including Mother’s Day, with free gifts for mum, and Easter weekend, with free chocolate for children.
The next stage of the railway’s evolution then occurs on Saturday 30 April, with the first passenger trains along the extension from Stonehenge Works to Munday’s Hill. On most operating dates, trains will run from Page’s Park directly to Munday’s Hill before the locomotive will turn round and haul the train to Stonehenge Works where the usual 30-minute break will occur, then returning directly to Page’s Park. Many years of planning and hard work have taken place, and despite slight delays caused by the pandemic, is almost ready to welcome customers.
The railway will continue to run every Sunday, as well as extra days during school holidays and on bank holiday weekends.
The compartment set-up for most carriages, introduced as a result of the pandemic, have proved popular and have been retained for 2022, although are no longer allocated and customers are able to choose where they wish to sit.
Full details of the railway’s operating days, the timetable, and special events can be found at https://www.buzzrail.uk.
