L700 Kempston 24 December 1996

After being replaced on Thames Valley services by Class 165 & 166 Turbo units in 1993, L400 (51374, 59484 & 51332) found further employment working on the Bedford to Bletchley route. For this purpose it lost its centre car and was renumbered as L700. In this condition it is seen passing under the A421 Bedford by-pass at Kempston with 51374 leading on the 09:40 Bedford to Bletchley service on Christmas Eve 1996. Luckily the impending holiday ensured there wasn't the usual procession of lorries crossing the bridge! The redundant centre trailer car was scrapped at Gwent Demolition at Margam in 1995, and the two remaining vehicles pictured here were both withdrawn in April 1999 and almost immediately cut up at MC Metals, Glasgow.