Running days in June 2022

Did you miss the chance to ride on our HST during our first operational weekend in April or maybe you just want another chance to ride because you enjoyed it so much? We’re pleased to announce that our friends at Midland Railway – Butterley have invited us to operate again over the weekend of Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th June – so that is what we intend to do!

43048 in service at Midland Railway – Butterley in April 2022 © Andy Wade

Our operations over this weekend will be primarily using First Class Coaches and our record breaking power cars 43159 (the World’s fastest diesel) and 43048 (the first to operate in preservation at 125mph). Timetable & ticket information for the weekend can be found here.

While on board, come and check out Buffet 125 serving refreshments and snacks throughout the day and enjoy your trip in first class comfort as we operate the Railway’s Yellow timetable of six services each day. Shop 125 will also be open with a wide selection from badges to books, DVDs to postcards for you to purchase.

Other site attractions will be available should you break your journey. Why not take the chance to view 43089 at Swanwick Junction and maybe take a ride on the Golden Valley Light Railway?

Please come along and support our operation, meet the team and enjoy our early preservation operations along the beautiful Midland Railway.

125 Group would like to take this opportunity to say how very grateful we are to Midland Railway – Butterley for their continued support in both storing and using our lovely HST.

125 Group wins award

125 Group volunteers collecting Rail Express HRA Award in 2022
125 Group volunteers collecting the Rail Express Modern Traction award on 19th March 2022

125 Group is very proud to report it has won a HRA award for the Rail Express Modern Traction category. The award is presented for “the Group’s power cars Nos. 43048 and 43089, plus eight Mk.3 coaches, achieved a preservation speed record, when the consist reached 125mph during a planned stock movement south of Retford on the East Coast Mainline” on 19th February 2021. Full details can be found in the latest edition of Rail Express.

Our HST will be operating services at the Midland Railway – Butterley over the weekend of 2nd and 3rd April. Running a shortened set of our award winning vehicles, 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.