125 Group is very sad to announce that unique Prototype Power Car 41001 will be returning to its owner, the National Railway Museum at York in early November, at the end of the current operating agreement. Despite best efforts, 125 Group and the Science Museum Group have been unable to reach a new agreement and the Science Museum Group has made the decision to terminate the loan.
41001 has been on a considerable journey in the 8 years since 125 Group took custodianship and, under Project Miller, restored the vehicle from a static exhibit to full working order. The power car has operated successfully for almost 5 years, regularly hauling public passenger trains at its home railway Great Central Railway (Nottingham), plus numerous visits to other preserved railways around the UK.
We are grateful to the National Railway Museum for having the foresight and confidence in us, allowing 125 Group to take 41001 on loan and bring her back to life, and are very disappointed that the work undertaken by us will no longer be of use in the future.
Sincere thank you to all of our members, hard working volunteers and loyal supporters who have generously given their own time and funded our operation of 41001. We remain indebted to the multitude of companies in the Railway Industry who have provided substantial valuable help and expert advice which made restoration possible, we are eternally grateful. Thanks also to our hosts throughout 41001’s operations, Great Central Railway (Nottingham).
125 Group was formed 25 years ago with the long term objective of preserving the HST. We already own, maintain and operate a small fleet of Mk3 coaches and hope to acquire at least one Production Power Car in the near future to continue our journey in preservation.
