Kettering-Thrapston-Huntingdon-St Ives-Cambridge
![19370327-KETTERING-3545-Arriving-from-Cambridge-Robin-Cullup-Collection-E2W Johnson 2F 0-6-0 3545 arrives at Kettering on a Cambridge train on a wet Saturday, 27th March 1937. 3545 was built by Sharp, Stewart & Co. in 1897 and was not withdrawn until October 1960. Its British Railways number was 58287 but its nationalised time was spent mainly around Barrow-in-Furness. Photo: Robin Cullup Collection.](https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/cambridge-branch/11-StIves-and-Kettering-Line/01-Kettering/19370327-KETTERING-3545-Arriving-from-Cambridge-Robin-Cullup-Collection-E2W.jpg)
Click here for Robin Cullup's excellent article 'Midland Railway Survivors', published in the Midland Railway Society journal, describing the Kettering-Cambridge line.
![001-1954-Kettering-Cambridge-Line-Map-from-British-Railways-LMR-Timetable-750-Alan-Jones Map of the Kettering-Cambridge Line from the Summer 1954 British Railways LMR Timetable, showing the cross-country nature of the route. After leaving Kettering to the South, the line swings East to Thrapston, where it crosses the LNW Northampton-Peterborough line. After Thrapston the line turns South-East towards Kimbolton and East to Huntingdon. Here it passes under the Great Northern main line and into the sharply-curved Platform 3 at Huntingdon East where it joins the Great Northern and Great Eastern Joint Line to St Ives. At the V-shaped St Ives station, the Joint Line heads off in the opposite direction to March, whilst the Branch continues through fruit-growing parts of Cambridgeshire to join the Great Eastern line at Chesterton Junction and in to Cambridge. The typical journey time for the circa forty-eight miles from end-to-end for a stopper in the 1950s was around an hour and forty minutes, at an average speed of a little under 30 mph. But what a beautiful way to travel - and faster than the 2 hours 20 minutes needed to make the journey today via London! Photo: Alan Jones.](https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/cambridge-branch/11-StIves-and-Kettering-Line/Maps/001-1954-Kettering-Cambridge-Line-Map-from-British-Railways-LMR-Timetable-750-Alan-Jones.jpg)
Kettering
![19320000-KETTERING-7191-Sentinel-date-1932-1935-Robin-Cullup-E2W Sentinel 7191 is here sporting a Kettering shed plate (15B). This was during its stay in Northamptonshire, 1932 to 1935. For the rest of its time it was posted to Radstock where its low profile enabled it to pass under the 10' 5" Marble Arch bridge at the start of the Tyning colliery incline. Although the Sentinel had the power to move heavy ironstone wagons, with its four cylinders and a boiler pressure of 275 lbs per square inch, it was not liked in Kettering. Photo: Robin Cullup Collection.](https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/cambridge-branch/11-StIves-and-Kettering-Line/01-Kettering/19320000-KETTERING-7191-Sentinel-date-1932-1935-Robin-Cullup-E2W-1024x683.jpg)
![100-KETTERING-SOUTH-2MTs-on-Cambridge-Train-1200x800-1 At Kettering South, a pair of LMS Ivatt 2MTs is seen on a Cambridge train in Summer 1948. The leading locomotive would come off at Huntingdon East, turn on the turntable and run tender-first light engine to Histon where it would collect the fruit train to Ancoats which departed in the late afternoon. Photo: Robin Cullup Collection.](https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/cambridge-branch/11-StIves-and-Kettering-Line/01-Kettering/100-KETTERING-SOUTH-2MTs-on-Cambridge-Train-1200x800-1-1024x683.jpg)
Twywell
Thrapston
![1959-Thrapston-11 A young enthusiast - who will by now be circa 70 years old - stands on Thrapston Midland Road's Eastbound platform in June 1959 as one of the last Cambridge to Kettering workings waits for the single line to Twywell and Kettering. Notice the prolific floral display on the fence, behind which is the substantial goods shed. Photo: Robin Cullup Collection.](https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/cambridge-branch/11-StIves-and-Kettering-Line/04-Thrapston/1959-Thrapston-11.25-Cambridge-Kettering-EW-1024x683.jpg)
![120-THRAPSTON-48050-on-Last-Kimbolton-Kettering-Freight-ERCW After withdrawal of the passenger service on 13th June 1959, the line from Kimbolton to St Ives was closed completely. In 1962, the section from Twywell to Kimbolton was closed and the last freight working from Kimbolton to Kettering is seen at Thrapston behind LMS 8F 48050. From Left to Right are Driver Horace Bosworth, Guard Jack Adams, Fireman Olly Nixon and Shunter Sid Harris. Photo: Olly Nixon - Robin Cullup Collection.](https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/cambridge-branch/11-StIves-and-Kettering-Line/04-Thrapston/120-THRAPSTON-48050-on-Last-Kinbolton-Kettering-Freight-ERCW-1024x683.jpg)
Raunds
Kimbolton
![140-KIMBOLTON-48285-on-Westbound-Military-Vehicles-CW The nearby RAF Kimbolton (opened in 1941 by Bomber Command but transferred to the US Army Air Forces in 1942) generated considerable rail traffic in the war years and immediately afterwards, mainly in support of the 379th Bombardment Group which operated four B-17 Flying Fortress Squadrons. In contrast to the tranquility of the rural setting, 8F No 48285 heads a Westbound train of US military vehicles through Kimbolton station. Photographer Unknown - Robin Cullup Collection.](https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/cambridge-branch/11-StIves-and-Kettering-Line/06-Kimbolton/140-KIMBOLTON-48285-on-Westbound-Military-Vehicles-CW-1024x683.jpg)
Grafham
Buckden
Huntingdon
![19460518-HUNTINGDON-EAST-5461-Local-from-St-Ives-EW A late afternoon view of the Joint Line platforms on May 18th 1946 shows J15 No. 5461 after arrival from St Ives. At this time, two return trips were made from Huntingdon to St Ives in the evening, leaving at 6.15 pm and 8.00 pm, arriving back from St Ives at 6.55 pm and 8.35 pm (SX) / 8.40 pm (SO). Photo: Robin Cullup Collection.](https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/cambridge-branch/11-StIves-and-Kettering-Line/09-Huntingdon/19460518-HUNTINGDON-EAST-5461-Local-from-St-Ives-EW-1024x683.jpg)
![19500000-HUNTINGDON-EAST-Looking-East-on-Platform-3-Brian-Marlow-E2W A late 1950s view by Brian Marlow, along Platform 3 at Huntingdon East (the Kettering platform) captures something of the quietness of the location with not a soul in sight. The two Joint Line platforms can be seen to the left, and the single-road engine shed in the distance to the right. This location today is part of Huntingdon station car park. Photo: Robin Cullup Collection.](https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/cambridge-branch/11-StIves-and-Kettering-Line/09-Huntingdon/19500000-HUNTINGDON-EAST-Looking-East-on-Platform-3-Brian-Marlow-E2W-1024x683.jpg)
![170-HUNTINGDON-EAST-LMS-Ivatt-Class-2-2-6-0-46404-BR-Standard-Class-2-78028-on-Summer-Saturday-Leicester-to-Clacton-1200x800-T For a few Saturdays in Summer, the Kettering to Cambridge line enjoyed the passage of its closest 'main line' passenger working - the Leicester to Clacton holiday train. The working is seen here drawing into Huntingdon East station's platform 3, round the very tight 10 mph-restricted curve, behind Ivatt Class 2 No. 46404 and BR Standard Class 2 No. 78028. On the right of the picture are the two seldom-used Joint Line platforms 1 and 2. Latterly the only regular working from these platforms was a Friday Only train to Kings Cross at approximately 5.45 pm, laid on primarily for Servicemen from nearby airbases taking weekend leave. Photo: T.G. Hepburn courtesy Brian Stephenson - Robin Cullup Collection.](https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/cambridge-branch/11-StIves-and-Kettering-Line/09-Huntingdon/170-HUNTINGDON-EAST-LMS-Ivatt-Class-2-2-6-0-46404-BR-Standard-Class-2-78028-on-Summer-Saturday-Leicester-to-Clacton-1200x800-T.G.-Hepburn-1024x684.jpg)
![HUNTINGDON-EAST-46495-Unknown-Photographer-EW An undated view from the footbridge at Huntingdon East shows LMS Ivatt Class 2 No. 46495 (built January 1952 at Darlington and withdrawn in October 1966) drifting slowly Eastwards through the station, in a scene which captures something of the pace of life on the Kettering Branch. Photo: Robin Cullup Collection.](https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/cambridge-branch/11-StIves-and-Kettering-Line/09-Huntingdon/HUNTINGDON-EAST-46495-Unknown-Photographer-EW-1024x683.jpg)
![19540810-HUNTINGDON-EAST-46401-Fruit-Train-EW The Histon to Manchester Class C Fruit Train is seen behind Ivatt 2-6-0 Class 2 No. 46401 on the approach to Huntingdon East on August 10th 1954. The perishable nature of fruit traffic meant that the punctual running of this train was of the highest priority. Photo: E.H. Sawford - Robin Cullup Collection.](https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/cambridge-branch/11-StIves-and-Kettering-Line/09-Huntingdon/19540810-HUNTINGDON-EAST-46401-Fruit-Train-EW-1024x683.jpg)
Godmanchester
![175-GODMANCHESTER-High-Level-View-CW Seen from high up in the corn mill next to Godmanchester station and looking towards Huntingdon, Ermine Street crosses the line before it passed over the River Great Ouse. Today this site is covered by the A1307 road, which was formerly the A14 until the Huntingdon bypass was opened on May 5th 2020. Photographer Unknown.](https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/cambridge-branch/11-StIves-and-Kettering-Line/10-Godmanchester/170-GODMANCHESTER-High-Level-View-CW-1024x683.jpg)
![19500000-GODMANCHESTER-Kettering-Cambridge-Train-Brian-Marlow-E2W Godmanchester station looks a bleak and desolate place on this wet, late 1950's day as a Cambridge trains waits to depart. The line from here to St Ives crossed the River Great Ouse no fewer than six times and was weight and speed restricted over the wooden trestle bridges. The trackbed is still discernible over much of this section since nothing has been built on the floodplain of the river. Photo: Brian Marlow/Robin Cullup Collection.](https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/cambridge-branch/11-StIves-and-Kettering-Line/10-Godmanchester/19500000-GODMANCHESTER-Kettering-Cambridge-Train-Brian-Marlow-E2W-1024x683.jpg)
![175-GODMANCHESTER-2-4-0-on-Cambridge-Kettering-train-CW Seen from the site of where Huntingdon's 1068 castle once stood, a Midland Railway 2-4-0 heads along the short twin-track section from Godmanchester to Huntingdon East with a Cambridge to Kettering train. The steeple of Godmanchester's St Mary the Virgin church can be seen in the background. Photographer Unknown.](https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/cambridge-branch/11-StIves-and-Kettering-Line/10-Godmanchester/170-GODMANCHESTER-2-4-0-on-Cambridge-Kettering-train-CW-1024x683.jpg)
St Ives
![180-19700423-St-Ives-Cambridge-Train-EW-Michael-Smyth-2 St Ives station retained its canopy to the end, although latterly it and the rest of the station were in a poor state of repair. With the attractive platform-mounted signal box to the right, driver and guard exchange a few words before departing to Cambridge on 23rd April 1970. Photo: Michael Smyth.](https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/cambridge-branch/11-StIves-and-Kettering-Line/11-StIves/180-19700423-St-Ives-Cambridge-Train-EW-Michael-Smyth-2-1024x683.jpg)
![180-19700423-St-Ives-Cambridge-Train-EW-Michael-Smyth-1 October 5th 1970 was a sad day for the railways in Eastern England, with the closure of the majority of the Peterborough-Grimsby main line, the Bellwater Junction-Lincoln line and the Cambridge-St Ives branch. A Gloucester-Cravens pair is seen in the Joint Line platforms, having terminated on a service from Cambridge and preparing to return. The abandoned Huntingdon line can be seen coming in from the right at the severed set of points. 23rd April 1970. Photo: Michael Smyth.](https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/cambridge-branch/11-StIves-and-Kettering-Line/11-StIves/180-19700423-St-Ives-Cambridge-Train-EW-Michael-Smyth-1-1024x683.jpg)
Fen Drayton
![19900929-FEN-DRAYTON-2000420047310052-Run-Round-15 As part of Network South East's 'Cambridge Gala Day' on 29th September 1990, an excursion ran to Fen Drayton comprising Class 310 EMU No. 310052 and Class 20s Nos. 20004 and 20047, leaving Cambridge at 15.10 and Fen Drayton at 16.30. The class 20s are seen running round at Fen Drayton gravel terminal, which by then was the terminus of the line. Photo: Robin Cullup.](https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/cambridge-branch/11-StIves-and-Kettering-Line/12-FenDrayton/19900929-FEN-DRAYTON-2000420047310052-Run-Round-15.10-Excursion-from-Cambridge-to-form-16.30-Return-EW-1024x683.jpg)
Swavesey
Long Stanton
![186-19900929-LONG-STANTON-2000420047310052-15 The 15.10 Cambridge to Fen Drayton excursion pauses whilst the crossing gates are opened at Long Stanton on the Cambridge Gala Day on 29th September 1990. This station was named in the famous Flanders and Swan song 'Slow Train' with the line "At Long Stanton I'll stand well clear of the doors no more". Photo: Robin Cullup.](https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/cambridge-branch/11-StIves-and-Kettering-Line/14-LongStanton/186-19900929-LONG-STANTON-2000420047310052-15.10-Cambridge-Fen-Stanton-Excursion-W-1024x683.jpg)
Oakington
![188-19700502-OAKINGTON-Cambridge-St-Ives-Train-EW-Michael-Smyth Many stations in East Anglia has extensive goods yards to cater for seasonal fruit and vegetable traffic. Oakington was no exception and in the 1950s regularly sent out soft and hard fruits to the Manchester area via Kettering and the Midland Main Line. Latterly, as this traffic was lost, sidings were lifted and often concreted over, as seen at Oakington on May 2nd 1970. Photo: Michael Smyth.](https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/cambridge-branch/11-StIves-and-Kettering-Line/15-Oakington/180-19700502-OAKINGTON-Cambridge-St-Ives-Train-EW-Michael-Smyth-1024x683.jpg)
Histon
![19800412-HISTON-37097-Empty-Stock-for-Railway-Development-Society-Swavesey-Liverpool-Street-Excusrion-Alan-Moore-EW On April 12th 1980, the Railway Development Society ran a very well patronised special from Swavesey to Liverpool Street and return. Here the empty stock heads North through Histon early in the morning, to Swavesey, behind English Electric Class 37 No. 37097. The steam heating boiler is clearly in good working order, as it blows off with excess pressure. Photo: Alan Moore.](https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/cambridge-branch/11-StIves-and-Kettering-Line/16-Histon/19800412-HISTON-37097-Empty-Stock-for-Railway-Development-Society-Swavesey-Liverpool-Street-Excusrion-Alan-Moore-EW-1024x683.jpg)
![19800412-HISTON-37097-Railway-Development-Society-Swavesey-Liverpool-Street-Excusrion-Alan-Moore-EW Having picked up a good number of passengers along the branch, Class 37 No. 37097 stands at Histon station with the Railway Development Society special from Swavesey to Liverpool Street on April 12th 1980. By this time the station had been disused for almost 10 years, the service to St Ives having been withdrawn in October 1970. Photo: Alan Moore.](https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/cambridge-branch/11-StIves-and-Kettering-Line/16-Histon/19800412-HISTON-37097-Railway-Development-Society-Swavesey-Liverpool-Street-Excusrion-Alan-Moore-EW-1024x683.jpg)
Chesterton Junction
![192-19700502-CHESTERTON-Jc-St-Ives-Cambridge-Train-W-Michael-Smyth At Chesterton Junction the St Ives line joined the Great Eastern main line from Kings Lynn to Liverpool Street, marking the Southern end of the loop from Cambridge to March via St Ives. The Gloucester-Cravens branch set approaches the signal box on the bright and sunny afternoon of 2nd May 1970. Photo: Michael Smyth.](https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/cambridge-branch/11-StIves-and-Kettering-Line/17-ChestertonJc/190-19700502-CHESTERTON-Jc-St-Ives-Cambridge-Train-W-Michael-Smyth-1024x683.jpg)
![192-19490810-CHESTERTON-Jc-46403-Joins-the-Main-Line-from-Kettering-EW A photograph which would give the authorities palpitations today, but which wasn't such an issue on Wednesday 10th August 1949. Ivatt Class 2 No. 46403 joins the Great Eastern main line at Chesterton Junction and crosses over the River Cam with the 5.20 pm from Kettering. Photo: Robin Cullup Collection.](https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/cambridge-branch/11-StIves-and-Kettering-Line/17-ChestertonJc/192-19490810-CHESTERTON-Jc-46403-Joins-the-Main-Line-from-Kettering-EW-1024x683.jpg)
Cambridge
Handbills, Notices and Tickets
The line hosted the very well-known Summer Saturday holiday train from Leicester to Clacton, as well as offering a number of fares promotions to encourage travel, as shown by the handbills below. A selection of Edmondson tickets, rescued from St Ives shortly before closure of the booking office, is also shown.
![203-195807-Kettering-and-Leicester-Half-Day-Excursions-600x800-1 In the 1950s many people worked on Saturday mornings, so Saturday afternoon half-day excursions were popular. This example from July 1958 offered reduced fares on regular service trains (11.27 am from Cambridge and 8.12 pm from Kettering - see the Summer 1958 timetable below), giving an opportunity to spend time in these towns at modest cost. Photo: Robin Cullup.](https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/cambridge-branch/11-StIves-and-Kettering-Line/Handbills/203-195807-Kettering-and-Leicester-Half-Day-Excursions-600x800-1.jpg)
![201-193803-Handbill-Cheap-Day-Returns-to-Kettering-600x800-1 March 1938 - Cheap Day Return fares, valid on any train, from stations between Cambridge and Huntingdon to stations between Buckden and Kettering. A return fare of six shillings (30p) and a journey time of an hour and three quarters from Cambridge to Kettering in 1938 compares with an Off Peak Return fare of £109.30 and a journey time of two hours and twenty-eight minutes in October 2022! Photo: Robin Cullup.](https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/cambridge-branch/11-StIves-and-Kettering-Line/Handbills/201-193803-Handbill-Cheap-Day-Returns-to-Kettering-600x800-1.jpg)
Passenger Timetables
A selection of timetables covering the period from 1903 to withdrawal of passenger services in June 1959:
![303-1939-Summer-LNER-Excerpt-1200x650-Alan-Jones 1939 Summer LNER Timetable - shows an interesting combination of the four LMS workings to and from Kettering, plus the four runs of the Summer Saturday additional, as well as an LNER shuttle service of eight round trips between Huntingdon East and St Ives, augmented to nine on Mondays. These LNER services would have used the Joint Line platforms (1 and 2) at Huntingdon East. Photo: Alan Jones.](https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/cambridge-branch/11-StIves-and-Kettering-Line/Timetables/LMS-LNER/PublicTT/303-1939-Summer-LNER-Excerpt-1200x650-Alan-Jones-1024x556.jpg)
![309-1949-Summer-BR-LMR-Excerpt-1200x650-Alan-Jones Summer 1949 BR LMR Timetable - an additional Summer Saturday working has been introduced, running from Kettering to Cambridge and back between 2nd July and 3rd September inclusive. In 1954, this service would be merged with a similar Summer Saturday Cambridge to Clacton service and extended, to form the Leicester to Clacton. Photo: Alan Jones.](https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/cambridge-branch/11-StIves-and-Kettering-Line/Timetables/BR/PublicTT/LMR/309-1949-Summer-BR-LMR-Excerpt-1200x650-Alan-Jones-1024x556.jpg)
![310-1954-Summer-BR-LMR-Excerpt-1200x650-Alan-Jones Summer 1954 and the Summer Saturday Leicester to Clacton has appeared. Note that to accommodate it on the single line, the first train from Kettering runs half an hour earlier and crosses the first train from Cambridge at Kimbolton, rather than Thrapston. The Clacton working is unbalanced, with the stock laying over and hence the return working runs a week later than the outward working. Photo: Alan Jones.](https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/cambridge-branch/11-StIves-and-Kettering-Line/Timetables/BR/PublicTT/LMR/310-1954-Summer-BR-LMR-Excerpt-1200x650-Alan-Jones-1024x556.jpg)
![314-1959-Summer-BR-LMR-Excerpt-The-TT-That-Never-Was-1200x650-Alan-Jones Summer 1959 BR LMR Timetable - the timetable that never was. Although the last passenger train on the Branch ran on Saturday 13th June 1959 at the end of the 1958-59 timetable, the next BR LMR timetable, commencing Monday 15th June 1959, contained this entry for the Branch. It is very much a standard Winter timetable and gives the impression of being included just in case the service had to continue into the new timetable. Sadly it didn't. Photo: Alan Jones.](https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/cambridge-branch/11-StIves-and-Kettering-Line/Timetables/BR/PublicTT/LMR/314-1959-Summer-BR-LMR-Excerpt-The-TT-That-Never-Was-1200x650-Alan-Jones-1024x556.jpg)
The last day of services between Kettering and Cambridge was Saturday 13th June 1959, the end of the Winter 1958/59 timetable. Both the London Midland and Eastern Region timetables for Summer 1959 included a timetable for the line, which was the Winter service carried over, giving the impression of a fallback measure in case the service needed to continue beyond 13th June 1959. Unfortunately it did not and these two timetables, both shown below, never actually came into use.
Following closure of the Branch in 1959, the Eastern Region continued a service from Cambridge to St Ives and March until March 1967 when the St Ives to March section was closed. A service from Cambridge to St Ives operated from then until October 1970 when this last section closed. The following timetables show some of these services.
![331-ER-Mar67-May68-EW-2 Following closure of the through route from Cambridge to March via St Ives in March 1967, a short-lived service from Cambridge to St Ives was introduced as shown in the March 1967-May 1968 timetable. Notice the curious termination of the first train from St Ives at Histon, followed by a fast run back to St Ives for a return to Cambridge at peak time. These were clearly difficult times. Photo: Alan Jones.](https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/cambridge-branch/11-StIves-and-Kettering-Line/Timetables/BR/PublicTT/ER/331-ER-Mar67-May68-EW-2-1024x683.jpg)
Interesting Workings at Huntingdon
Two interesting workings are illustrated at Huntingdon:
In the 1950s, BR ran a Fridays Only fast train from Huntingdon East to Finsbury Park and Kings Cross. It was aimed mainly at Service personnel from the many nearby airbases who needed to travel to London for the weekend. This section shows the train in the Summer 1958 BR Eastern Region timetable and also a view of it in the Joint Line platforms behind the usual L1. The map shows the unusual track layout at Huntingdon, with the very tightly curving platforms at East station on the line to St Ives and the delightfully-named 'Engine House'.
During the Summer months a Class C fruit train ran from Histon to the Manchester area. In the soft fruit season (plums and berries) the train ran to Brindle Heath or Ancoats, whilst in the hard fruit season (apples & pears) it ran to Colne. The Fruit and Vegetable notice from 1955 shown below gives details of this working and also the engine movement from Kettering, coupled to the 2.9 pm departure as far as Huntingdon, then turning and running Engine and Brake to Histon. The highly perishable nature of soft fruit traffic made the punctual running of this train, and its marshalling at Kettering, a matter of the highest priority.
![315-1958-Summer-BR-ER-ECML-Excerpt-1200x800-W Summer 1958 BR ER Timetable - a curiosity at Huntingdon was the Friday Only 5.40 pm fast service to Finsbury Park and Kings Cross, seen in the tenth column from the left on this timetable. It was often hauled by an L1 2-6-4T locomotive. It left from the Joint Line platforms at Huntingdon East (platforms 1 and 2) and was largely for the benefit of Service personnel from the surrounding air bases taking weekend leave. Photo: Alan Jones.](https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/cambridge-branch/11-StIves-and-Kettering-Line/Timetables/BR/PublicTT/ER/315-1958-Summer-BR-ER-ECML-Excerpt-1200x800-W-1024x683.jpg)
![170-HUNTINGDON-EAST-67744-Fridays-Only-to-Kings-Cross-EW-1 LNER Class L1 2-6-4T No. 67744 stands at the Joint Line platforms at Huntingdon East with the previously-mentioned Fridays Only working to Kings Cross. The Great Northern main line station canopies can be seen over the top of the hedgerow, with 'off' signals on the Up and Down main lines. Date unknown, Photo: Robin Cullup Collection.](https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/cambridge-branch/11-StIves-and-Kettering-Line/09-Huntingdon/170-HUNTINGDON-EAST-67744-Fridays-Only-to-Kings-Cross-EW-1-1024x683.jpg)
1924 Ordnance Survey Map of Hutingdon Station
![](https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/cambridge-branch/Gallery-FA/KetteringLine/Maps/511-Huntingdon-Stations-Map-1924-1-600x401.jpg)
![204-BR-LMR-Fruit-and-Vegetable-Notice-Summer-1955-12-600x800-EW Summer 1955 Fruit and Vegetable Notice. The engine for the 5.30pm Class C fruit train from Histon to Brindle Heath or Colne travelled out from Kettering at the front of the 2.09pm departure as far as Huntingdon East. It came off there, turned on the turntable, ran tender-first with brake van at 3.45pm to Histon then came back at 5.30pm stopping at Oakington, Long Stanton and St Ives for 20-30 minutes at each station to pick up, before a non-stop run to Kettering. It departed Kettering at 9.5pm (Brindle Heath) or 9.20pm (Colne) for a fast run North on the Midland Main Line to Manchester, stopping at Hathersage to take water shortly after midnight. Photo: Robin Cullup Collection.](https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/cambridge-branch/11-StIves-and-Kettering-Line/Handbills/204-BR-LMR-Fruit-and-Vegetable-Notice-Summer-1955-12-600x800-EW.jpg)
![19540810-HUNTINGDON-EAST-46401-Fruit-Train-EW The Histon to Manchester Class C Fruit Train is seen behind Ivatt 2-6-0 Class 2 No. 46401 on the approach to Huntingdon East on August 10th 1954. The perishable nature of fruit traffic meant that the punctual running of this train was of the highest priority. Photo: E.H. Sawford - Robin Cullup Collection.](https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/cambridge-branch/11-StIves-and-Kettering-Line/09-Huntingdon/19540810-HUNTINGDON-EAST-46401-Fruit-Train-EW-1024x683.jpg)
Working Timetables
![351-18760201-Cambridge-Kettering-Line-WTT-EW A fascinating 1876 Midland Railway Working Timetable, showing four passenger workings, four trips to Thrapstone (then with an "e") which would have served Islip furnaces, an overnight Goods to Kimbolton, three through Goods workings and an afternoon out-and-back Goods from Kettering to Huntingdon. The footnote detail is remarkable showing, for example, how train 2 stops at Raunds on Mondays to attach cattle. Photo: Robin Cullup Collection.](https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/cambridge-branch/11-StIves-and-Kettering-Line/Timetables/MR-GER/WorkingTT/351-18760201-Cambridge-Kettering-Line-WTT-EW-1024x744.jpg)
Route Maps
A depiction of the route in four map sections:
- Kettering to Raunds
- Raunds to Huintingdon
- Huntingdon to Oakington
- Oakingotn to Cambridge
Click on a map to see an enlarged view, then scroll left or right to move through the maps.
and finally - some items of local interest relating to the Branch.
![901-19480227-Kettering-Leader-and-Guardian-Cartoon-of-3195-1000x780-1 A cartoon from the 27th February 1948 edition of the Kettering Leader and Guardian, featuring the unfortunate Ireson's experiences as a fireman on the Branch. Apart from the turntable being at Huntingdon East rather than Godmanchester, the detail is remarkably accurate, even down to the locomotive number of 3195. Photo: Robin Cullup Collection.](https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/cambridge-branch/11-StIves-and-Kettering-Line/Misc/901-19480227-Kettering-Leader-and-Guardian-Cartoon-of-3195-1000x780-1.jpg)
![906-19630224-Keiths-Loco-Numbers-EW A second visit, on February 24th 1963, shows three Ivatt 2MTs (46404, 46444 and 46496), a 4MT (43073), a good number of 8Fs again, some Midland 4Fs, a WD 8F (90368) and a BR 9F (92106) - along with three Class 08 shunters (D3777, D3778 and D3057 which became 08 610, 08 611 and 08 044 respectively). Photo: Keith Crossley.](https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/cambridge-branch/11-StIves-and-Kettering-Line/Misc/906-19630224-Keiths-Loco-Numbers-EW-scaled-1024x780.jpg)
![907-19680317-Keiths-Loco-Numbers-EW Keith's final visit, on March 17th 1968, gives a valuable insight into the scale of the withdrawal of steam locomotives in 1968. The Shed now holds just a handful of diesels, but Cohen's scrapyard has sixteen locomotives, including 9F No. 92103 which had been in service for just over ten years (and contrasts with Fowler 0-4-0 diesel-mechanical shunter ED3 from 1936!). Photo: Keith Crossley.](https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/cambridge-branch/11-StIves-and-Kettering-Line/Misc/907-19680317-Keiths-Loco-Numbers-EW-scaled-1024x781.jpg)