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Location notes
Aspley Guise crossing is located on the Bedford-Bletchley line, between the stations of Aspley Guise and Ridgmont, at the end of Berry Lane which serves several houses. There is no shelter should the weather turn nasty.
Railway type and traffic
The Bedford Bletchley line is operated by London Midland trains that run a mostly hourly service between the two stations, with all trains stopping at all of the stations on route, Monday to Saturday. Trains stop by request at Kempston Hardwick. There are no scheduled passenger trains on Sunday. These are operated by a small fleet of sprinter 150/1 units.
There are a number of freight workings, the most numerous being DB Schenker departmental workings to and from Forders Virtual Quarry (just to the east of Stewartby station). These workings serve locations on both the WCML and MML.
There is also a Tuesday and Friday, at the time of writing, morning Bletchley to Peak Forest stone empties, which leaves Bletchley between 10:20 and 10:40 - although earlier and later timings have been noted.
Environment
This small road crossing, at the end of Berry Lane with manually operated gates across the lane. There are several houses on the other side of the lane, but the lane is quite quiet. The railway is quite tree lined at this point, but the track is very straight in both directions.
Road directions
From the M1, Junction 13:Exit, and head south on the A507. Continuing on this road (and ignoring the popular turn to Leighton Buzzard and Bedford), brings one into the village of Aspley Guise. Take the first road on the right, called Church Street, and then the next right, down Berry Lane.
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Parking
There is a small amount of parking to the south of the crossing - the road to the north of the crossing is a private road. Make sure you leave enough room for the gates to be opened, and for passing traffic to get past.
Public transport
By far the easiest way to this location is to use the rail service from either Bletchley or Bedford. There are several, infrequent buses, all originating at Leighton Buzzard, including services 10 and 139 operated by Palmer and Litchfield respectively. From the station, walk south down Salford Road until you come to the entrance to Berry Lane on the right, follow this road until you come crossing. This should be a 15 to 20 minute walk.
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Amenities
There are no amenities on the immediate area but there is a public house and the usual range of village shops in Aspley Guise itself.
Sun Compass
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Aspley Guise Berry Lane Crossing
Googly map
Streetmap links
Aspley Guise Berry Lane Crossing general view map
Aspley Guise Berry Lane Crossing close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Aspley Guise Berry Lane Crossing
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Photographic notes
The Bedford Bletchley line is running mainly east-west, but slightly south-east to north-west at this point. Photography is probably best in the morning for east bound traffic, and best in the afternoon for west bound traffic. The line is very straight heading in both directions - with the line fairly tree lined in both directions. A shot from the north side of the line is possible, although strictly speaking you are on a private road, so permission should be sought.
General views - All photographs © Richard Tearle unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking west
This is the west facing view from the southern side of the line, showing the only booked freight along the line. In the distance is Aspley Guise station, crossing barrier and old crossing cottage.
This was taken in July (although a dull day) at 10:40 with a 70mm lens.
Fig 2 - Looking east
This is the east facing view from the southern side of the line, showing the bridge under the A507 in the far distance.
This was taken in July (although a dull day) at 12:50 with a 100mm lens.
Fig 3 - Looking east
This is the east facing view from the northern side of the line, showing the straight track eastwards and the bridge under the A507 in the far distance.
This was taken in July (although a dull day) at 12:50 with a 100mm lens.
Fig 4 - Looking west
This is the west facing view from the northern side of the line.
This was taken in July (although a dull day) at 12:50 with a 100mm lens.
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