London Northwestern Railway has named a Marston Vale Line train ‘Brickfield Breeze’ in tribute to Bedford’s industrial heritage. Entries were judged by a London Northwestern Railway panel, following a student competition with Kimberley College.
The service operates between Bletchley and Bedford, reflecting the town’s brickmaking past, which included the world’s largest kiln, operational until 2008 and producing 500 million bricks a year at its 1930s peak.
Class 150 150137 ‘Brickfield Breeze’. Named in partnership with Kimberley College, Bedford. // Credit: London Northwestern Railway
The naming marks the second on the line, after ‘Bletchley Codebreakers’ in May 2025. The British Rail Class 150 unit 150137 was formally unveiled at Bletchley station during a ceremony attended by college representatives and London Northwestern Railway officials.
“Being able to contribute to the naming of this train is a fantastic opportunity for our students and has sparked some really insightful conversations about the heritage of Bedfordshire and the Marston Vale Line. It was fantastic to see them get creative with their name ideas, and we were so pleased to see the newly named train arrive at the platform.”
Nicola Genders, assistant headteacher at Kimberley College.
“We were delighted to connect with Kimberley College, so we could offer them the chance to come up with a name which celebrates the rich heritage of Bedford. We hope that passengers travelling with us will see the name given to our train and reflect fondly on the history behind it.”
Cara Higgs, community strategy manager at LNR.