Running days in April 2022

125 Group is delighted to announce its first running days for over two years.

With the kind agreement of our hosts at the Midland Railway – Butterley, our production HST will be making its first passenger operations since we took ownership during the weekend of 2nd and 3rd April 2022.

Running a shortened set, we will be providing the timetabled service throughout the weekend with power cars 43048 and World Speed Record Holder 43159.  This will not only be 125 Group’s first operation of our own preserved HST, but will also be the first time that an HST has operated in passenger service on the Midland Railway Trust line.

In addition to the overall operation, we will be opening Buffet 125 serving drinks and snacks in trailer car 40730, together with a good range of products available from Shop 125.

Ticket sales and revenue will support the Midland Railway Trust and development of their operations whilst all sales on board will support our ongoing preservation efforts. Come and take a ride with us through Derbyshire’s delightful countryside and enjoy some HST action.

Visit and donation from Crosscountry

We recently had David Jones and John Robson from Crosscountry trains visit our set with a kind donation of several hundred first class headrest covers (antimacassars). During the visit, the opportunity was taken to test fit these to one of our first class coaches (image below) as well as discuss the possiblility of future collaboration, especially as May 2022 sees the 40th anniversary of BR’s introduction of HSTs on the North East – South West/South Wales services. Many thanks to Crosscountry for the kind donation which will be put to good use.

Image of First Class coach interior with XC Antimacassars fitted