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. In July 1952 ex-LNER Gresley 'V2' 2-6-2 No. 60916 is heading into Sandy with a modest 5-coach Up ordinary stopping passenger train, the ex-LNWR lines are seen on the right. It was built at Darlington in July 1940 as LNER No. 4887 and was withdrawn in June 1964.

© Les Hanson-David Hanson Archive