Bedford
Bedford-Bletchley Line
A Great Event
On Nov. 17 there was a general holiday in Bedford to celebrate the
opening of the line from Bedford to Bletchley. This function had been
postponed from a date previously fixed owing to the permanent way being
damaged by heavy rains. Thousands of people came from all parts of the
country and assembled at St. Leonard's (a name since revived for that
quarter) as the L. & N .W. Station was then called, to witness the
departure of the first train. Upwards of thirty carriages were crowded by
600 persons, and drawn by two "powerful engines." The start was
made at noon amidst the strains of the Bedford Brass Band, the shouts of
the multitude, and the merry peals of the bells in the parish churches.
The journey was successfully accomplished at 1.30, and the visitors
inspected the extensive works in progress to make Bletchley a "first
class station." At two o'clock the return journey began, and at
Bedford the venturesome travellers were received by Her Grace the Duchess
of Bedford, who was accompanied by Mrs. S. C. Whitbread, Miss Whitbread,
Miss Payne, and Mr. Isaac Elger. The party adjourned to the refreshment
room (which to-day we search for in vain), and here Her Grace proposed
"Success to the Bedford Railway " in a bumper of champagne,
which toast, saith the reporter was " by the ladies present most
cheerfully responded to." A, brilliant company sat down to dinner in
the Assembly Rooms (now the Bedford Library). Mr. T. J. Green presided,
supported by the Mayor Mr. Alexander Sharman.
Extract from: J. Hamson, Bedford Town and Townsmen 1845-1895 Bedfordshire Times, 1896
Page last updated: 23rd April 2008
