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28th September 1959

An image from the November 1959 British Railways London Midland Region staff magazine, captioned as "The inaugural train running into Bedford station". It shows two Derby quad sets (Class 127s), the closest with Special on the blind, tail lamp and driver. This was on 28 September 1959 and this first train would carry David Blee and other dignitaries after a ceremony in the station. The DMUs worked just eight off-peak services from then until the full implementation in January 1960. British Railways.

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1960

A 4-car set approaching Ampthill tunnel on down main. Thought to be taken in 1960, at a time when 115s were also used on the St.Pancras - Bedford services. The underframe arrangement on the first vehicle seems to suggest this is a Class 115. Photo by Jim Lawrence. Ian McDonald Collection.

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Unknown date

A London Midland Region publicity image (negative D5547) showing a Derby suburban quad set with a Bedford service in Elstree station, date unknown. British Railways.

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circa June 1960

An Albion-powered Derby quad set about to pass Silkstream Junction signal box. Looking brand new, the leading car M51675 was new to Cricklewood at the end of May 1960 where it spent about 18 months before settling into services from Marylebone. Stuart Mackay Collection.

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circa early 1960s

Two Derby-built four-car suburban DMUs (later known as Class 127s) at Mill Hill Broadway on a St Pancras - Bedford service circa early 1960s. Waddo Rail Archive.

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3rd September 1961

A Derby quad set in St Pancras station on 3 September 1961. A Gloucester parcel car can just be seen on the right. Stuart Mackay Collection.

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30th April 1963

M51597 leads a Rolls-Royce powered Derby suburban quad at Harpenden with the 6.45pm Bedford Midland Road-St Pancras service on 30 April 1963. Michael Mensing.

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20th June 1965

M51616 leads the 7.40pm Bedford Midland Road - St Pancras service seen north of Harlington on Sunday 20 June 1965. The rear car seems to be of a different type, possibly one of the Cravens (Class 113) vehicles it had at the time. Michael Mensing.

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16th April 1966

The staff of Gretton station, and the crew of the 5.55pm to Bedford, on the last day of services, 16th April 1966. Stuart Mackay Collection.

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July 1967

BR (Derby) Suburban (later Class 127) 4-car dmu Nos. M51650 (127 in original green livery), M59633 (186 in blue livery), M59592 (186 in blue livery) & M51636 (127 in blue livery) entering St Pancras on a service from Bedford, 07/67. Hugh Llewelyn.

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circa 1971

St. Pancras circa 1971, and a Class 127 set is seen ready to work 2C55 to Bedford. John Law.

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9th June 1971

In pre-electrification days, passengers alight from the 16.15 from Bedford to St Pancras at Harpenden Central on 9 June 1971, which is formed of two of the 4-car Derby/Rolls-Royce suburban diesel units characteristic of this line (CD611 of Cricklewood depot leading). Note the "red triangle" coupling code symbols on the front Tom Burnham.

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circa 1975

A Class 127 about to pass through Hendon station on its way to St Pancras circa late 1975. Phillip Malin.

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July 1975

BR (Derby) Class 127 4-car Suburban dmu Nos.M51592 (Class 127), M59597 (186), M59640 (186), M51644 (Class 127) in Rail Blue with all-yellow front ends gently rumbling away at St Pancras before departing for Bedford (Midland Rd), 07/75. Hugh Llewelyn.

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September 1975

BR (Derby) Class 127 4-car Suburban dmu Nos.M51592 (Class 127), M59597 (186), M59640 (186), M51644 (Class 127) in Rail Blue with all-yellow front ends gently rumbling away at St Pancras before departing for Bedford (Midland Rd), 09/75. Hugh Llewelyn.

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20th March 1976

Class 127 DMU arriving at Hendon with a service to St.Pancras on 20 March 1976. Phil Bevan.

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28th June 1976

A Rolls-Royce powered Class 127 DMU sits in Bedford station with a service from St Pancras as two young spotters watch 45128 pass on the down "Master Cutler". Taken on June 28, 1976, shortly before the station was rebuilt. Lewis Bevan.

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28th August 1976

Luton, Bedfordshire, 28th August 1976. On the pre-modernisation & electrified Midland main line to St Pancras looking southwards. A Midland Railway scene still with semaphore signals, telegraph poles and Luton station South signalbox. Typical for the era a Class 127 4 car diesel multiple unit arrives from London on a Bedford service. These Rolls-Royce engined hydraulic transmission units were based at Cricklewood and lasted in service until 1983. Pete LG99.

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Unknown date

A Class 127 DMU with M51649 closest in St Pancras station circa early 1980s. Paul Redmond.

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Unknown date

The view out of a Class 127 DMU at Silkstream Junction, date unknown. Phillip Malin.