(Now Closed) Lindsells (Footpath) Level Crossing, Bedfordshire

Date filmed: 24/02/2023
Videos filmed between 11:05 and 11:14

Route: East Coast Main Line (ECML)
Between Biggleswade and Sandy Stations

Crossing type: Foot Path Crossing with Miniature Stop Lights (FPC-MSL)

Location: 52.098708, -0.263114
Video guide:
Showcase & Shot of the new footbridge - 0:00
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Activation 1 (1:35):
Class 91 & Mk.4 Driving Van Trailer "InterCity 225" set (London North Eastern Railway) - 2:11
London Kings Cross ➡ Leeds
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Activation 2 (2:51):
Class 803 (Lumo) - 3:27
London Kings Cross ➡ Edinburgh Waverley
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Activation 3 (3:49):
Class 801 (LNER Azuma) - 4:30
Edinburgh Waverley ➡ London Kings Cross

A footpath level crossing across the busy, 125mph, four-track East Coast Main Line just north of Biggleswade. This level crossing's days were numbered as a brand new high-sided bridleway footbridge with steps and ramps has been constructed around 400 metres north of the level crossing. Since filming, as of early 2024, the bridge has opened and the crossing is now permanently closed as a result. The existing footpath level crossing was protected by gates and signage, as well as Unipart Dorman red/green miniature stop lights which were rather bizarrely caged-up (most likely as an anti-vandal measure), but there was no audible alarm here. Even with vegetation cut-back, trackside views at this footpath crossing were fairly poor in both directions on one side and in one on the other.

A trio of activations filmed within about ten minutes of each other are featured. The star catch here was of 91 111 "For the Fallen", a Class 91 electric locomotive with a very striking and tasteful livery, hauling a fairly recently re-liveried Intercity 225 set towards Leeds at full speed in its striking LNER 'Oxblood' livery, a reference back to the classic Intercity Swallow Livery which now dominates the remaining fleet of these sets. Apologies about the camera jolt as I panned around to catch the Driving Van Trailer, as I caught my elbow on the lever which is used to open the gate.

Thanks for watching!