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Written by Richard Tearle - 02 May 2006
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Location notes
Bogborough is located on the Bedford-Bletchley line, between the stations of Ridgmont and Lidlington, just off the M1 Junction 13. This is the only other bridge over the line, other than the A507 on the western half of the branch.
There is nowhere to 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
The bridge over the line at Bogborough is on the edge of a large playing which itself is on the edge of Bogborough Village. There are plenty of motorcycle tracks in the area, so it might not be too wise to hang around the area during the evenings; the area is quite safe during the day as the playing field is usually full of dog walkers.
Road directions
From the M1, Junction 13:
Exit the motorway and head north on the A421 and turn right along Highfield Road just after entering Bogborough village (just after the 50mph speed limit signs). Follow this road around and at the mini-roundabout turn right, and follow the road into a small parking area adjacent to the playground. There are further parking spaces at the other end of Ridgway Road.
Once parked at the playground, follow the well marked footpath past the edge of the warehouses (and not between), until you come to the end of the warehouses and a crossroads of footpaths. Take the right hand path and follow this up the bank, continue between the low fences (protecting the newly planted trees), until you come to a private road that connects the farm (over the bridge), to the A421. Walk along the road until you reach the bridge. Don't be tempted to drive along the road as this is private road, and the farmer is no friend of railway enthusiasts.

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Bogborough map co-ordinates
Parking
Park either on Ridgway Road, or in the small car park at either end of this road. It's also possible to walk from Lidlington following the footpaths, which might be a safer place to park ones car.
Public transport
By far the easiest way to this location is to use the rail service from either Bletchley or Bedford and alight at either Ridgmont station or Lidlington. There is a footpath through the middle of the business park adjacent to Ridgmont station, that will bring you to the playground / car park mentioned above.

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Amenities
There is a row of local shops just off the A421 in the village itself.
Sun Compass
Sun Compass using Suncalc by brought to you by Vladimir Agafonkin:
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Bogborough

Googly map
Streetmap links
Bogborough general view map
Bogborough close up map

Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Bogborough



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Railway Gen Group
Midlands Gen
Photographic notes
The bridge is quite high over the line, and serves a farm on the southern side of the line. The line to the west is quite overgrown by trees and curves somewhat, but the view to the east is clear of trees and straight for quite a while.


General views - All photographs © Richard Tearle unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking west


Fig 1 - Looking west

This is the west facing view from the northern side of the line, showing the curve and the trees that block this view.
This was taken in March at 17:15 with a 35mm lens.

Fig 2 - Looking west


Fig 2 - Looking west

This is the west facing view from the southern side of the line, again showing the curve.
This was taken in March at 17:15 with a 35mm lens.

Fig 3 - Looking east


Fig 3 - Looking east

This is the east facing view from the northern side of the line, showing the straight length here, and the more open nature of the area.
This was taken in March at 17:15 with a 35mm lens.

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