Operator London Northwestern Railway (LNR) is giving people the chance to name a Class 150 train on the Marston Vale Line.
As part of its competition to celebrate the reintroduction of a full rail timetable on the line, LNR is looking for names that celebrate people and places between Bedford and Bletchley. The operator has also launched a major ticket offer that represents an up-to-90 per cent on the usual fare, depending on the journey.
A partial service has been running on the Marston Vale Line since November 2023, when LNR introduced a replacement train fleet. Prior to that, rail replacement had been in operation on the line since December 2022 after the company which maintained the Class 230 trains previously used on the route entered administration. The full rail timetable resumed on the line on Monday 19 February.
Class 150 trains being used on the route were most recently in service with Northern. The winning competition entry to name one of these trains will be decided by a panel from LNR and the Marston Vale Community Partnership.
Cara Higgs, LNR Community Strategy Manager, said: “We are delighted to celebrate the return of the full timetable on the Marston Vale Line by offering the opportunity to name a train on the route. We are looking forward to seeing the suggestions and holding the official naming ceremony after the competition closes.
“We are also running a major ticket offer on the line. For the next three months, a single journey between any two stations on the Marston Vale Line will cost just £1 or 50p for children.”
Entries to the competition can be made by online or by completing a submission form which can be picked up at Ridgmont Station Heritage Centre and Tea Room.
The contest winner will have the chance to attend the Official Naming Ceremony at Bletchley Station. Entrants have until Monday 4 March to submit their suggestions.
View more information and enter the competition here.
