London Northwestern Railway (LNR) has officially named one of its Class 150 trains, unit number 150141, “Bletchley Codebreakers”, commemorating the historic wartime contributions of Bletchley Park. The naming ceremony took place today (Thursday, 22 May 2025) at Bletchley station and marks the railway’s recognition of the significant role the Marston Vale line played during World War II.
The name was selected following a competition involving local residents, who suggested titles highlighting notable local figures or historic locations associated with the Marston Vale line between Bletchley and Bedford. Judges from LNR and the Marston Vale Community Rail Partnership reviewed entries, ultimately honouring the critical wartime work of the Bletchley Park codebreakers.
Historically, Bletchley Park served as Britain’s central site for signals intelligence and the decoding of enemy communications, including the renowned Enigma cipher. Many of the thousands of personnel stationed at the park travelled via the Marston Vale line, which then connected with the wider Varsity Line linking Oxford and Cambridge. Prominent figures such as Alan Turing and Max Newman regularly utilised these services.
Cara Higgs, community strategy manager at LNR, highlighted the significance of the chosen name: “Through research, we discovered that the Bletchley Park codebreakers frequently used the Marston Vale line, making this naming particularly fitting. It has been wonderful to share today’s celebrations with competition winners, riding the newly named train and visiting Ridgmont’s heritage centre.”
Bletchley Park Trust CEO, Iain Standen, noted the appropriateness of the tribute: “Naming this train recognises the vital, yet largely secret, role the railway played in supporting our wartime efforts. Many codebreakers depended on this very service, strengthening the historical bond between Bletchley Park and the local community.”
This event coincides with the 200th anniversary of the Marston Vale line and aligns with Community Rail Week, celebrating community involvement in rail across the UK.
