Fri, 23 Jul 2010 21:41:40 +0000 http://www.125group.org.uk/ PostNuke Powered Site en-gb http://www.125group.org.uk/images/logo.gif http://www.125group.org.uk/ website@125group.org.uk http://www.125group.org.uk/Article31.html Up-to-date diagrams are now available for all HST passenger operating companies. Click on the 'Diagrams' link on the left of this page to download. Fri, 23 Jul 2010 21:41:40 +0000 http://www.125group.org.uk/Article30.html A lot of time has passed since our last 'Preservation update' but make no mistake, a lot has definitely been going on behind the scenes! The end of 2008 saw a spate of break-ins at our storage site; with the theft of various tools, radiator panels (Roughly 8-10) and other valuable components. VDL quickly decided that since by the end of 2009, we would have the only pool of these components in existence, we could not feasibly allow anymore to go missing if we were to achieve our end objective. So the board took the decision that the only solution was to seek secure covered storage. Over the past 18 months we have been settling in to our new home. We now have our "pick of the litter" Valenta engines stored inside along with our Marston cooler collection and many, many other valuable components (We may need an extension soon!) After much housekeeping and organisational work, we're getting to a position where we can start dismantling and restoring our assets in preparation for use sometime in the future. More to follow... Ben Webber Valenta Diesels ltd ben.webber@valentadiesels.co.uk Sun, 04 Apr 2010 11:18:32 +0000 http://www.125group.org.uk/Article29.html We have recently updated the diagrams page; all the Operators except FGW (these have not been submitted to us) are current up until May 2010 timetable change. Sun, 07 Mar 2010 11:34:40 +0000 http://www.125group.org.uk/Article28.html During the Autumn, the VDL board had a 'strategy meeting' to discuss and set forth what precisely our primary objective should be. If we take a look at the 125 Groups Aims & Objectives, the ultimate aim is set forth as; "To raise enough money to purchase some examples of IC 125 rolling stock to enter preservation. Such rolling stock shall include one or more power cars, as near as possible to original operational configuration, but including as a minimum a Paxman Valenta engined power car, Marston cooler group and original shaped front end." After much discussion considering endless posibilities and scenarios, we decided to 'Keep it simple' with three main points; - VDL's primary objective is to run "a Valenta-engined power car on an HST" - This may mean owning a single power car, and running this on another owners HST set. - There is no commitment to mainline running, and VDL does not envisage becoming a train operator. However, this is by no means set in stone. Should the circumstances to acquire a full 2+8 set be right, we obviously wouldn't say no! Tue, 19 Jan 2010 22:46:41 +0000 http://www.125group.org.uk/Article27.html We still have a few 2010 Calendars remaining, you can purchase these through the Online Shop in the menu on the left. Tue, 19 Jan 2010 22:35:47 +0000 http://www.125group.org.uk/Article24.html There was an issue with the Online shop which only seemed to occur with Internet explorer 8, that is, it squashed the table which the items were displayed in making it very difficult to read and navigate. This has now been fixed and should display properly. Mon, 20 Jul 2009 09:43:21 +0000 http://www.125group.org.uk/Article23.html As you will all know, the May timetable change has just occured and most TOCs diagrams will have changed to increase service level as we head toward the Summer. We update the diagrams on this website as and when they become available to us and it should be stressed that this is through individuals good will. Diagrams are not generally freely available and we do not have a specific person who compiles them each time there is an update. Diagrams will be updated on this website when they become available to us. Thankyou for your patience. Thu, 21 May 2009 23:15:27 +0000 http://www.125group.org.uk/Article22.html We're pleased to announce that we've reduced the Rio; Midland to Manchester DVD to £12.50 for a limited period. This is a reduction of £5 from £17.50. To take advantage of this, visit our Online shop here. Wed, 29 Apr 2009 20:13:42 +0000 http://www.125group.org.uk/Article21.html We're delighted to offer ANBRICO DVDs lineside journey from St. Pancras to Manchester for sale at the bargain price of just £12.50 For more information, see our Online shop here. Mon, 27 Apr 2009 20:26:21 +0000 http://www.125group.org.uk/Article19.html It's here!! The long anticipated launch of the Valenta Venturer DVD that is! Filmed from the Cab of 43064, join us from Derby travelling north through Derbyshire to Chesterfield and in to Yorkshire, calling at Sheffield before heading for York via Doncaster and a burst of 125mph running down the East Coast Mainline. Leaving York, we turn for Scarborough, through the picturesque east Yorkshire countryside before arrival at the seaside terminus. The journey is featured almost in it's entirety and is accompanied throughout by the sound of 43064s Valenta. Sit back, relax and enjoy the music! As usual, the DVD is available to purchase online, for the price of £15.00 here Please Note: Group Members can purchase this DVD for the special price of £12.50, however this is ONLY available via Postal orders. Please remember to quote your membership number. Tue, 13 Jan 2009 11:33:01 +0000 http://www.125group.org.uk/Article18.html Our December sale has now finished. Please check back for future DVD launches and potential limited price reductions. Sat, 27 Dec 2008 14:53:37 +0000 http://www.125group.org.uk/Article16.html We're pleased to announce that we have reduced our S352 and Midland to Manchester DVDs to a bargain price of just £10 for a limited period before Christmas. Know someone who would like a copy? Then why not take advantage! Click the 'Online Shop' link in the menu on the Left. Sun, 30 Nov 2008 21:44:21 +0000 http://www.125group.org.uk/Article15.html The Groups 2009 Calendar is available for purchase in our Online Shop. Click the link under the '125 Group' heading in the menu on the left. Tue, 25 Nov 2008 18:49:58 +0000 http://www.125group.org.uk/Article14.html Yet again, a lot has happened since our last ‘Preservation update’, some of which has already been mentioned below, some not. First of all, let’s go right the way back to April. On arrival at our storage facility, we were greeted with two new acquisitions, Valenta engine S155 and Marston cooler 71194. Sadly, these assets time with us would be short lived, as they were primarily acquired for component recovery. S155 is of the early recessed deck engines (the same as S148 mentioned somewhere below); this engine was primarily a strategic move, as it’s fitted with a NA-256 turbo charger which has just done a few years work since new. The Marston cooler was taken as it was the pick of what was available, though again, itself being just for spares. Sadly, as space was running a little thin, (now being up to 11 Valentas and 8.5 Marstons – don’t ask) it was time to take the ratchets and spanners to S148 and S155. We saved the Governors, Turbos, Inter coolers, Fuel pumps, Rockers, Pushrods and many other useful bits you could lose and find 10 times over. Marston 71194 met a quick end with the help of our newly acquired forklift ‘Lucy’, but only after safely removing some useful panels and a gearbox – you can never have too many gearboxes! S148 and S155 were from the same batch of Valentas ordered by BR to replace the original fabricated blocks, both being cast back in 1981. RIP. Fri, 21 Nov 2008 17:43:23 +0000 http://www.125group.org.uk/Article13.html The Valenta Venturer DVD. Enjoy 43064 wired for sound working East Midlands Trains Valenta fairwell special via Sheffield and Doncaster to Scarborough. The DVD includes the quick dash up the ECML to York, before heading toward the seaside. Release date to be announced in the Group magazine. Tue, 28 Oct 2008 17:30:22 +0000 http://www.125group.org.uk/Article11.html We would like to thank East Midlands Trains for arranging their 'Valenta Venturer' special to Scarborough. The day out was truly delightful, with good weather and terrific runs there and back. Also we would like to extend our gratitude to Tim Shoveller, Darren Ward, and Mark Coney for allowing the naming of 43064 and 43081 the previous night, in readiness for the trip to Scarborough. We'd also like to seperately thank Karl Brailsford, Paul Williams and Chris Wells. Above: 43064 at Scarborough named "125 Group" in Rio style sticker name plates. Sun, 27 Jul 2008 12:52:31 +0000 http://www.125group.org.uk/Article10.html ....our Online Shop?You can browse a selection of items, HST or non HST related, and even purchase them online (Hence the name Online shop!) We accept major Credit or Debit cards, and even postal cheque! To visit the Shop, click here Tue, 15 Jul 2008 09:46:09 +0000 http://www.125group.org.uk/Article9.html It’s been a while since the last update as life at 125 Towers has been rather hectic – and who thought that the fewer Valentas there were the busier we’d get! Anyway, to carry on our story of piecing the preservation puzzle together we move to Plymouth. We’d managed to establish that two of our “favourite” engines from 43087 and 43078/197 respectively were languishing at DML in Plymouth having arrived for remedial work that was eventually never completed. As luck would have it there were also two FRH engines at DML that were “in the way” so we managed to strike a deal with Porterbrook and First to acquire S352, S404, S494 and S472. Taking four engines made sense to us as moving the engines from Plymouth to our site was going to be relatively expensive, so the more engines we could move the better. So during the last week of December we dispatched two lorries to DML, one artic and one with a Hiab to pick all four power plants up. There was a mild moment of panic when our driver was told to “hang on a minute” with S352 (which rode on its own lorry – it is rather special!) as he needed to check something. In the end we were told to leave anyway with a recently overhauled NA256 turbo on S352! The engines were then safely unloaded at our site using the Hiab crane and 125 Group’s engine collection rose to 10 Valenta engines. Click here to view Valenta S352 at our site Sun, 22 Jun 2008 16:38:59 +0000 http://www.125group.org.uk/Article8.html And so we move on through our preservation efforts and to the biggest delivery in one move to date. First Group kindly offered us some of their surplus Valenta engines, together with a cooler group. Porterbrook also were kind enough to offer a cooler and so on 12th October 2007 we sent two lorries to Brush in Loughborough to pick up Valenta engines S148, S444 and S479, along with Marston Coolers 71091 and 71151. The move went to plan and the convoy arrived at our secure site without any problems. Of the Valentas, S479 is a bit of a star, having been the featured engine in our “Midland to Manchester” DVD, which is still available on this website – click the Sales tab to the side to get the DVD and savour the sound in your living room! The engine is in good condition and was working when removed. S444 is not entirely complete – it has a good block, but the turbo and intercooler are missing. We’re keeping it, as the main parts are sound and we will have parts we can swap around to get the engine operational again, should the need arise. S148 is a strategic move: it is of the earlier recessed deck type of Valenta and we aren’t that interested in the engine as a whole. However, there are many parts that can be robbed from the engine for the rest of the fleet and economies of scale mean that it’s more cost effective to take the whole engine, rather than rob at a scrap yard or similar. Of the coolers, Marston 71151 is a long term asset as it is in good condition generally. However, we can’t keep more than about 4 whole coolers, as they are rather bulky. As the framework is predominantly aluminium, they do not suffer from rust and we expect them to last for many years yet. As a consequence, 71091 was only ever a short term acquisition being stripped for parts in March 2008. The saved gearbox and radiator panels have been palletised and then shrink wrapped for safe keeping. Click here to view Valentas S148, S479 and S444 ready to leave Brush Click here to view one of our Marston Cooler Groups taking a ride around Brush on a forklift Sun, 20 Apr 2008 07:44:54 +0000 http://www.125group.org.uk/Article7.html And so to the next exciting instalment of our preservation procurement programme…… and probably the most nerve wracking so far! We had arranged that we would take Valenta S499 from the re-engineering programme at Brush and were waiting on various bits of paperwork and payment to progress. Then we had a call from a friend of a friend that some Valentas had been spotted at a well know scrap yard in Yorkshire. So at the end of September 2007 a team of 5 intrepid members turned up at the yard, armed with many spanners and hammers of increasing size. Imagine our horror on entering the site to find a great big yellow Valenta with “S499” written on it! And alongside it another Valenta with “S380” written on it. A short session of guppy fish impersonations then ensued, followed by mobile phones smoking under the number of calls being frantically made. It turned out that someone was keen to clear space at Brush and had indicated that all the Valentas “in the way” should be disposed of. This wasn’t quite the case and after some negotiation with the scrap yard and Porterbrook we managed to secure both engines from the imminent cutters torch. And so on 1st and 3rd October respectively, S499 and S380 were removed from the scrap yard and taken to our secure site, safe from any further damage. Luckily the engines were still very much OK: S499 had sustained a broken oil filler neck and slightly bent fuel rack arm on ‘A’ side, but other than that was fine. S380 had been robbed (by us!) but other than that was intact. S499 is our very best engine (still to date) as it only had about 9-12 months cumulative work post overhaul. Both it and S380 have NA256 turbochargers. Click here to view Valentas S499 and S380 shortly after arriving at our site Tue, 25 Mar 2008 17:34:05 +0000 http://www.125group.org.uk/Article6.html As the “refreshed” 125 Group website is now up and running we thought it about time to bring you an update on where we are with our preservation efforts. Rather than spill all the beans in one hit, we’re going to bring you snapshots of what we’ve done until we eventually get up to date – there’s far too much to tell! Also, to be fair to our membership, we’ll only post details on the website after the membership have been informed by the Group’s magazine “One Two Five”. So there may be a couple of months delay but hopefully info will get posted to present a working “blog”. So let’s start with the beginning: S415 arrived at our site on 20/08/07, our first piece of the preservation jigsaw. The engine was just days away from the cutters torch and we couldn’t say no to a flat top engine that we were set of saving. OK, it’s missing a couple of heads, but in the main was intact and didn’t have any holes in the side. The nice people at Loughborough even steam cleaned it for us. Arrival at our site went without a hitch and the engine was lowered into a temporary position on suitable wooden supports in the secure compound. Several of the committee inspected the engine a few weeks later and did some rudimentary work of plugging orifices, oiling the “exposed” cylinder bores/pistons and even barring it over – which was accomplished with ease using a long wrecking bar. The engine was then covered as autumn approached in preparation for winter. Click here to view Valenta S415 arriving at our site Sun, 17 Feb 2008 08:31:25 +0000 http://www.125group.org.uk/Article4.html Please note we're coming to the end of our 2008 Calendar stock, so if you would like one to hang on your wall, be sure to order through the sales section NOW! Sun, 20 Jan 2008 01:31:45 +0000 http://www.125group.org.uk/Article2.html 2007 has been a momentous year for 125 Group, and I use those words wisely and without hyperbole. We have placed ourselves in a unique position that I don't believe any UK based preservation group has found themselves in: preservation of the major items required to run the rolling stock, without actually having access to said rolling stock for preservation. We believe that we have acted in a measured and calculated way by acquiring a healthy stock of good, sound, flat top (with one exception) Valenta engines that will be sufficient for many years to come. History has taught us that having such a supply will pay dividends in 20-30 years time, should we have a 'leg out' incident or supply of parts dries up (as it inevitably will) from MAN Diesels and it's subsidiaries. We have also taken Marston cooler groups where we can, albeit to a lesser extent: your committee believes that the main focus should be on the Valenta engine and if we are honest then running a power car with a Brush or Voith cooler is no bad thing to mitigate any high water temperature trips during the summer months. But there is still a mandate and wish to preserve these cooler groups and we certainly intend to keep around 3 complete examples, plus spares, for future generations to savour. Wed, 26 Dec 2007 00:44:54 +0000