Disused Stations:Stewartby Station

Stewartby level crossing seen from the cab on a southbound DMU in 1984. The waiting shelter
is seen on the right.
Photo by Ian Docwra from his Flickr photostream

Stewartby up platform and level crossing seen from an approaching northbound DMU in July 1985. The lady crossing keeper waits for the train to pass before reopening the gates: it will be noted that she is no other than 18-year old Rebekah Wade, on ‘work experience’ prior to climbing to the dizzy heights of tabloid journalism. Rebekah Brooks, as she is known today, clearly couldn’t ‘hack’ being
a mere BR employee.
Photo by Alan Young

Two Class 31s haul a brick train through Stewartby station in the late 1980s; a regular working at this time. The level crossing had warning signs in English and Italian, due to the large number of Italian ex-POWs that stayed on to work at the brickworks after WWII. The station was now part of Network SouthEast which meant new signage and, at last, some new platform lighting.
Photo by Keith Lewcock from his Flickr photostream

A pair of Class 121 'bubble' cars are seen in leaving Stewartby station bound for Bedford St Johns in the 1990s. Ten years earlier the brickworks was clearly seen on the west side of the line. By this time what remains of the brickworks is obscured by new trees. In the 1981 view, above, 18 chimneys can be counted; only two are visible here.
Photo by AGS Man from his Flickr photostream

To commemorate 150 years of railway operation between Bedford and Bletchley steam specials were organised on 21 December 1996 utilising 2-6-4T 80079. Built in the early 1950’s as one of British Railways ‘standard class’ locomotives these class 4 tank engines were capable of a range of duties and had quite a turn of speed if required. 80079 is based at the Savern Valley Railway. Click here to see a 6 minute film of 80079 at Bedford.
Photo by David Pearson

In 1988, set 701 was selected for refurbishment at Doncaster works and was the first of four Class 104 sets so treated, emerging in Network SouthEast livery and renumbered 53437 & 53479 (L701). The set continued to see use around London before being split up, 53479 being reformed into set L707 with Class 119 51090. During this time the vehicle was used mostly on the Gospel Oak-Barking route and is seen approaching Stewartby station in December 1996.

Photo by David Pearson

As Fragonset Railways 31468 and 31601 top and tail a Bedford to Bletchley service in May 1999, the Railtrack crossing keeper opens the gates to road traffic at Stewartby level crossing. The original wooden gates were replaced with these metal gates a few years earlier.
Photo by Gordon Edgar from his Flickr photostream

Fragonset Railways 31468 and 31601 are once again seen leaving Stewartby with a Bletchley train c late 1990s. These ‘top & tail’ class 31s were used for a short time before Sprinters were introduced on the service. The waiting shelter at the end of the down platform is no longer ‘fit for purpose’.
Photo by AGS Man from his Flickr photostream

Not long after the re-signalling of the Marston Vale line, we see 150129 arriving at Stewartby with a Bedford - Bletchley in November 2005. At the same time as the re-signalling the up platform was demolished with a new platform being provided on the south side of the level crossing. The reason for this staggering of the platforms at the former halts is to reduce the time the crossing gates are closed to rail traffic. Before the platform was moved the gates would be closed before an up train arrived at the platform. They would remain closed until the train left the station.
Photo by Richard Allen from his Flickr photostream

Looking north-east towards Bedford from Stewartby station in November 2008; the train operator was Silverlink at this time. Three of the four remaining chimneys can be seen; these have now been listed and will be preserved.

Photo by MJ Richardson; reproduced from Geograph under creative commons licence

Stewartby station looking north-east from the Green Lane level crossing in February 2014. A small section of the earlier low platform us seen on the right. This was retained when the platforms were raised in 1959 so that the crossing keeper's hut, which also acted as the ticket office, could remain in use.

Photo by Nick Catford

Stewartby station looking south-west from the down platform in February 2014. The new up platform, which was built in 2004 when the line was re-signalled, is seen on the far side of the crossing.

Photo by Nick Catford