Easter Saturday HST Valenta action at GCRN

Prototype HST Power Car 41001 and 125 Group’s matching Mk3 Coaches at Barnstone on the scenic Great Central Railway-Nottingham ©Jason Cross

Easter Saturday 15th April sees Prototype HST Power Car 41001 and 125 Group’s matching Mk3 coaches working passenger services for the first time this year at Great Central Railway-Nottingham, following important winter maintenance. The ‘Yellow Timetable’ will be in operation with departures from Ruddington at 1030, 1215, 1400 and 1545, Class 25 locomotive D7629 is planned to be on the south end of the set.

Services depart from Ruddington and head through the scenic Nottinghamshire countryside almost 10 miles southwards to Loughborough High Level where there is no station but the train gives a great view of the Midland Mainline and BRUSH Locomotive Works with class 73s and 92s usually on display. Ruddington station (parking available, sat-nav postcode NG11 6JS) is the operating base of GCRN with attractions for all the family, historic rolling stock under restoration plus a working ride-on miniature railway and model railway to watch, Rushcliffe Country Park is also close by. Trains also call at Rushcliffe Halt in the village of East Leake (sat-nav postcode LE12 6JT) where parking is also available.

Prototype Power Car 41001 is part of the National Collection and was restored to working order by 125 Group under the ‘Project Miller’ banner, GCRN is our home base. 41001 is fitted with a Paxman Valenta engine, the type originally used in all production Inter-City 125s. Join us on Easter Saturday and experience the marvellous screaming Valenta powering our historic HST on the former Great Central mainline!

Hot and cold drinks, also snacks will be available on-board the train, plus 125 Group sales items. Buy your ‘Bound for Craigy’ pin badges and quality HST merchandise here. For more information about tickets, timetables and how to get to GCRN, view their website www.gcrn.co.uk.

Festive HST Action – Weds 28th December

41001 and 125 Group’s matching Mk3 coaches at Ruddington GCR(N) ©125 Group

Wednesday 28th December sees Prototype HST Power Car 41001 and 125 Group’s matching Mk3 coaches working a full day of passenger services at home base Great Central Railway (Nottingham). Come along for a ride and experience living railway history, the original iconic High Speed Train in action – the perfect antidote to turkey sandwiches and sales overload!

Services run from GCR(N)’s main station at Ruddington with car parking available, postcode NG11 6JS. The ‘Yellow Timetable’ will be in operation with departures at 1030, 1215, 1400 and 1545. Prototype Power Car 41001 is currently on the north end of the coaches, Class 25 locomotive D7629 is planned to be on the south end of the set, the first time it has worked passenger trains with the HST.

Why not bring the whole family? Our comfortable train is fully heated and air-conditioned, the bright Mk3 coaches have large picture windows and seats mostly arranged around tables. The journey from Ruddington takes us through the scenic Nottinghamshire countryside almost 10 miles south on the former Great Central mainline. Feeling a little peckish? ‘Buffet 125’ will be open all day on the train, serving hot bacon/sausage baps, burgers, hot dogs, hot and cold drinks plus alcoholic beverages including wine and bottled ale.

The 125 Group Sales Stand will also be open on-board, a great place to spend that Xmas gift money, all in aid of our preservation efforts. A full range of HST merchandise is available, including 40YEAR badges and mugs, plus beautiful line drawing prints of Inter-City 125s.

The miniature railway at Ruddington will also be open for rides – wrap up warm! – the model railway will be open too. For more information about tickets and how to get to GRC(N), view their website www.gcrn.co.uk.