GWR Inter-City 125 Farewell

Sir Kenneth Grange with his namesake power car 43002 before departure of the last HST service train from Paddington.  ©125 Group

This evening Great Western Railway celebrated the end of High Speed Trains serving Paddington after 43 years. Introduced in 1976, the Inter-City 125 was an immediate success and transformed long distance rail travel in the UK.

The event was marked by the last four HST services being lined up side by side in platforms 1 to 4, with the final 125 formed of power cars 43198 and 43002 working the 1830 to Exeter St.Davids. Sir Kenneth Grange, designer of the High Speed Train and 125 Group Hon President was VIP guest at Paddington and travelled on the final service. Thank you to GWR for working so hard behind the scenes to mark this historic occasion in style!

Now in our 25th year, 125 Group is the High Speed Train preservation group, our aim is to preserve at least one production class 43 power car and reinstall the original Valenta engine type. For the past seven years we have been custodians of the National Railway Museum’s prototype HST power car 41001, which we restored to working order with funds raised by us and the kind help of the railway industry.

Help us achieve our goal of preserving an Inter-City 125. Sign up to our monthly donation scheme HERE, which includes free membership with four quality exclusive magazines delivered to you each year, detailing our preservation efforts and with informed articles on the current HST scene.

41001 Withdrawn From All Forthcoming Engagements

125 Group is very sorry to advise that during operation at the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway Diesel and Mixed Traffic Gala, Prototype HST Power Car 41001 has shown signs of a possible engine issue which requires investigation before any further running. We have regretfully withdrawn it from all forthcoming commitments as a precaution and to prevent any major damage.

This means that 41001 will not be available to haul trains at the forthcoming Severn Valley Railway Spring Diesel Festival from Thursday 16th to Saturday 18th May and Mixed Traction Day on Sunday 19th May.

The power car will instead be on static display at these events with the cab and engine room open for public visits. 125 Group’s Mk3 coaches will still be in use as planned, with Buffet 125 and the 125 Group Sales stand on-board. Replacement traction for 41001 will soon be announced by the Severn Valley Railway.

We are bitterly disappointed that 41001, which is owned by the National Railway Museum, will not be entertaining the crowds, hauling trains at the SVR. Following almost five years of reliable operation, the historic power car will be stood down from traffic pending investigation.