The Golden Mile – Bletchley to Bedford Line DVD: Farewell to Semaphore Signalling on the Marston Vale Line

Description

After 150 years of traditional signalling along the Bletchley to Bedford route, all was to change in 2004 with the introduction of modern electronic systems and crossing gates.

This film is a journey aboard one of the last services before the upgrade was put in place showing all the old mechanical signalling and hand-controlled level crossing gates before new barriers were put in place.

We hear stories from signallers of the past and show the interiors of some signal boxes before they were demolished virtually overnight.

The final train to use the old signalling equipment is also viewed and a last visit to the inside of Fenny Stratford signal box that night.

The film was made in conjunction with the operator Silverlink and is introduced by one of their managers.

A bonus film is added from the 1996 celebration of the 150th anniversary when steam hauled services were operated for local people and enthusiasts.

These services were hauled by the Severn Valley Railway’s BR Standard Class 4 tank No. 80079.

Approx. 96 minutes.

This DVD is being sold on behalf of and with full permission of the copyright owner – Kingfisher Productions.