Trains set to resume on suspended rail route

The new rail service will replace the defunct Class 230s

Trains will resume on a route that has been suspended for 11 months after a maintenance firm went bust.

The Marston Vale Line, which has 12 stations between Bedford and Bletchley, has been out of action since December.

Buses have replaced trains after the maintenance provider, Vivarail, went into administration.

It will be a partial service at morning and afternoon peak times during the week - with a full timetable back in early 2024.

The train feature CCTV and space for bicycles

The Class 150 diesel trains serving the route will be two carriages in length because of the stations' short platforms.

From September the trains were tested on the unused line.

Andrew McGill, from operator London Northwestern Railway, said he was confident they will provide enough capacity for the footfall they will expect on the line.

He said the 30-year-old trains "are really reliable.. and we hope passengers will be really pleased to see a service back on the line".

"We totally understand and appreciate the frustration of our passengers who have not had a railway service for nearly 12 months now and it's something we have worked incredibly hard on and we are really pleased to be able to reintroduce the service," he added.

The new trains feature a universally accessible toilet and USB charging points throughout the carriages

Stephen Sleight from the Marston Vale Community Rail Partnership explained that the service "means an enormous amount to local people along the line".

He said: "Whilst it is not a full timetable it is a good start and a step in the right direction with students able to get to college and also people will be able to get to work."

The service is expected to be back up and running later this month.