19/08/2026
𝐀𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐖𝐖𝟐 𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐲. !!
In 1942 the 'North Sandy Curve' part of the Varsity Line, was installed. It's purpose was to provide a wartime strategic link, (avoiding London). On the Bedford to Cambridge line.
The curve created an alternative, northern bypass route for military traffic, troop movements, ammunition, fuel, and vital supplies—kept goods moving if London’s rail network was hit or paralysed.
By 1947 it was removed as it was deemed unnecessary during peacetime.
An old railway buried under a field will typically still have compacted ballast buried deep which dries out quicker so the grass on the surface turns yellow or brown faster.
It only existed for around 5yrs, but the recent and prolonged dry weather has shown dramatic subsurface differences which show buried/harder ground holding less moisture revealing Sandy's hidden past that this vital piece of railway line played.
As these aerial photos show, the railway line cut right through our cricket pitch, 🏏 which has also taken a battering with cracks and holes appearing. Sandy Town Council have put over 5 ton of top soil in gaps
We were joined today by a local follower who gave us some insight into the lines appearing on the field. 🔑
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As an added bonus, theres also an old farm track that joined Longfield Road to Sunderland road which has appeared in the dry weather 🤩🚜
Feel free to share ☺️ 📸
Map Source: https://maps.nls.uk
Sandy Rail Users Group
