First train enters new sidings

The first train has entered new sidings at Bedford, delivering ballast for further construction work.

The five-track facility is needed for stabling the first longer 12-carriage trains when they enter service this December (2011) on the Bedford to Brighton route.

Four 12-carriage services are expected to run in the morning rush hour and four in the evening. The exact service pattern will be confirmed later in the year.

You can read more about engineering work for the longer trains in this piece about engineering work (power and signalling) and this about platform extensions.

First train in: The engineering train at Bedford's new sidings

Progress made: The work site for the new 12-carriage sidings at Bedford