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. This June 1936 view is looking south with Sandy Station just beyond the distant bridge. A GNR-designed Gresley 'O2' 2-8-0 No. 3496 aproaches with a down van train. The track layout at this point is clearly seen, with the ex-LNWR 'Varsity' line from Cambridge to Bedford on the far left, climbing away above the ECML. 3496 was built at Doncaster in Feb. 1924 and withdrawn in Sept. 1963 as BR No. 63941.

© Les Hanson-David Hanson Archive