A train operating in Bedfordshire has been given a name that reflects the area’s industrial past, following a collaboration between London Northwestern Railway and a local college.The Class 150 unit, numbered 150137, now carries the name ‘Brickfield Breeze’ and runs along the Marston Vale Line between Bletchley and Bedford. The name was chosen after a competition held with students at Kimberley College, who were invited to submit ideas inspired by the region’s heritage.Bedford’s history is closely tied to brickmaking, once home to what was described as the world’s largest kiln. During its peak in the 1930s, the site produced around 500 million bricks annually, underlining its importance within the industry before operations ceased in 2008.The naming of ‘Brickfield Breeze’ marks the second time a train on the Marston Vale Line has received a title. In May 2025, another unit was named “Bletchley Codebreakers” following a separate community competition.A formal naming ceremony took place at Bletchley railway station, attended by representatives from Kimberley College and London Northwestern Railway.Cara Higgs, community strategy manager at LNR, said:“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.”Nicola Genders, assistant headteacher at Kimberley College, said:“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.”Image: London Northwestern Railway
Marston Vale Line Train Celebrates Bedford’s Brickmaking Legacy
