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 April 1935, ex-LNWR Whale 'Precursor' 4-4-0 No. 5241 'Napoleon' drifts down the ex-LNWR line into Sandy passing a fine rake of owner wagons on the ex-GNR lines below. These include traders Facer and the Co-Op from Luton which will be worked across from Hatfield thereby staying on LNER metals. 5241 was built at Crewe in Mar. 1906 as L&NWR No. 1311 and was withdrawn in Jan. 1936.

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