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 June 1936, pioneer LNER Gresley 'A4' No. 2509 'Silver Link' heads the up Flying Scotsman' as she passes a looped freight on the approach to Sandy. The LNW lines are seen above and will cross the ex-GNR metals over the bridge seen in the far distance. 2509 was built at Doncaster in Sept. 1935 and was withdrawn in Dec. 1962 as BR No. 60014.

© Les Hanson-David Hanson Archive