The Anonymous Widower

East-West Rail: Oxford And Bedford

This map from East West Rail shows the route between Oxford and Bedford.

Note.

1. The proposed route is shown in blue.
2. The possible Southern extension to Aylesbury is shown dotted.
3. The route between Bicester and Bletchley is rebuilt track along a former alignment.
4. The route between Bletchley and Bedford will surely be rebuilt track along the Marston Vale Line.
5. The Bicester and Bedford sections of track will be joined by the Bletchley Flyover, which is well on the way to completion.

This Google Map shows Bletchley station.

Note.

1. Bletchley Station has six platforms.
2. The double-track Bletchley Flyover runs North-South at the Eastern side of the station.
3. There are the beginnings of two platforms on the flyover, which will increase the number of platforms at Bletchley station to eight.
4. There is a junction at the Northern end of the flyover, where one pair of tracks go North to Milton Keynes Central and the other takes the Marston Vale Line to Bedford.

The track-layout at Bletchley station allows trains between Oxford and Bedford and Oxford and Milton Keynes Central to call at Bletchley station.

Proposed Passenger Trains Between Oxford and Bedford

According to the Wikipedia entry for the East West Railway, these service will run on the railway between Oxford and Bedford.

• East West Railway – Oxford and Milton Keynes Central via Oxford Parkway, Bicester Village, Winslow and Bletchley – 2 tph
• East West Railway – Oxford and Bedford via Oxford Parkway, Bicester Village, Winslow, Bletchley, Woburn Sands and Ridgmont – 1 tph
• East West Railway – Aylesbury and Milton Keynes Central via Aylesbury Vale Parkway, Winslow and Bletchley – 1 tph
• West Midlands Trains – Bletchley and Bedford via Fenny Stratford, Bow Brickhill, Woburn Sands, Aspley Guise, Ridgmont, Lidlington, Millbrook, Stewartby, Kempston Hardwick and Bedford St Johns – 1 tph

Note.

1. tph is trains per hour.
2. All larger stations get at least a half-hourly service.
3. There are three tph  between Oxford and Bletchley via Oxford Parkway, Bicester Village and Winslow.
4. There a fast train and a stopping train between Bletchley and Bedford.
5. It is still undecided, whether provision will be made for the Aylesbury service.

I think that this service pattern is achievable, with or without the Aylesbury service.

May 26, 2023 - Posted by AnonW | Transport/Travel | Bedford Station, Bletchley Station, East West Railway, Marston Vale Line, Milton Keynes Central Station, Oxford Station