Running days in October 2022

We are very pleased that once again our friends at Midland Railway – Butterley have invited us to operate the train service on their line, this time over the weekend of Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th October. 

The weekend will be an extra special occasion as it will feature the return to service of power car 43089 together with 43048 operating our HST set, with vehicles expected to be 42337, 42119, 42120, 41067 and 40741. Whilst on board, you will be able to enjoy Buffet 125 serving tasty refreshments and snacks throughout the day as we operate the Railway’s Yellow timetable of six services each day. Shop 125 will also be open with a wide selection including our 2023 calendar and XMAS cards available for purchase.

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.

For more details on this upcoming HST running weekend, train times and fares, please visit the Midland Railway – Butterley website.

43044 Named Edward Paxman

43044 Edward Paxman Nameplates image

125 Group is very proud to announce that we have named power car 43044, Edward Paxman after the founder of the Paxman company. Our Vice President Gary Heelas hosted the short naming ceremony at NHR Ruddington on Sunday 21st August as part of the Meet the Fleet event, joined by 125 Group member and Managing Director, Network Rail North Western Region, Tim Shoveller who kindly performed the honours.

We hope you approve of the name which is in the traditional BR style in the correct place on the body side for an Executive Livery power car.  It also features a small plaque explaining who Edward Paxman was, and his relevance to the continuing HST story.

43044, as our designated power car for Valenta power, now requires a engine top end rebuild and also the procurement of a coupling ring between the engine and alternator – more information on this will be in the next edition of One Two Five, our members magazine. If you are not a group member and would like to support our ongoing preservation efforts by joining, you can find more information and sign up here.