All aboard on Vale trip for lucky winners

Two lucky winners from colouring and drawing competitions have enjoyed a ride in a train driver's cab.
Ben and Nevyn with their certificates.Ben and Nevyn with their certificates.
Ben and Nevyn with their certificates.

Arranged by the Marston Vale Community Rail Partnership, Ben Cox and schoolboy Nevyn

joined London Midland driver Graham Sparks for a journey along the full length of the line between Bedford and Bletchley.

The winners were also given commemorative certificates, London Midland name badges for the day and a packed lunch.

Ben was the winner of a competition to draw an illustration of a subject relating to the 170th anniversary of the Marston Vale Line, and Nevyn won a competition to colour in a drawing of Ridgmont Station Heritage Centre, mid-way along the Marston Vale Line.

Stephen Sleight, Marston Vale Community Rail partnership officer, said: “I am delighted we able to provide two local young people with a journey of a lifetime on the Marston Vale Line. Many thanks to the London Midland team of driver, Graham Sparks, senior conductor John Patterson and driver manager Andrew Bird for their assistance in creating such a memorable day. I look forward to arranging further competitions in future.”

You can contact Stephen Sleight at the Marston Vale Community Rail Partnership, c/o Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity on 01234 832645 or email [email protected]