Sandy in Bedforshire is where, for a short distance, the former L&NWR Bedford to Cambridge 'Varsity' route (closed in 1968) and the GNR lines that are now part of the ECML run in parallel for about half a mile but do not connect. Both companies had separate but adjacent stations with a shared island platform, this is now merged into one station. Looking very smart on May Day in 1937, LNER Gresley 'K3' 2-6-0 No. 229 brings an up freight into Sandy. The ex-LNW lines are behind. 229 was built at Darlington in Oct. 1925 and was withdrawn in May 1962 as BR No.61868.

© Les Hanson-David Hanson Archive