Month: November 2018

HST 41001 Reaches The North Pole

Prototype HST Power Car 41001 at Dereham ready to depart with The Polar Express™ bound for The North Pole. ©125 Group

Prototype 41001 has broken new ground for High Speed Trains by reaching The North Pole. The historic power car hauled The Polar Express™ on the Mid-Norfolk Railway taking children and families from Dereham all the way to The North Pole where Santa was waiting to greet them.

HST Power Car 41001 is part of the National Collection, restored by 125 Group and is helping out on the MNR over the Festive Season. As well as pulling the 9 coach train on selected dates, the power car’s 850 Volt DC electric train supply is keeping the carriages warm and air-conditioned for all the excited travellers. 125 Group drivers and technical staff have also been provided to look after the national treasure.

125 Group is really pleased to be supporting the Mid-Norfolk Railway for their The Polar Express™ train ride operations this Christmas. Travel is strictly limited to Mid-Norfolk Railway The Polar Express™ customers only and no on the door passenger fares will be obtainable. Tickets MUST be booked in advance on the Mid-Norfolk Railway website here: https://midnorfolkthepolarexpressride.com

Screaming Valentas Success!

Volunteers from EMT, BLS, GCRN and 125 Group at Ruddington GCR(N) with 43467 and 41001 ‘The Screaming Valentas’ railtour, 17Nov2018. ©Richard Gennis

A massive Thankyou from 125 Group to everyone involved in making ‘The Screaming Valentas’ railtour such a success!

On Saturday 17th November, East Midlands Trains 6 coach HST with power cars 43423 ‘VALENTA 1972-2010’ and 43467 brought 292 passengers from Derby to Ruddington where Prototype Power Car 41001 replaced 43467 for a grand tour of the Great Central Railway (Nottingham) network. Lesser used lines covered included Rushcliffe Halt Up Loop and Bay Platform where HST Designer and 125 Group Hon President Sir Kenneth Grange joined the train, chatting to passengers and signing autographs.

We are immensely and sincerely grateful to all of the volunteers and staff teams from East Midlands Trains, Branch Line Society, Great Central Railway (Nottingham) and Network Rail for their fantastic efforts and support which made Saturday happen. Hours of preparation and detailed planning through to hard graft delivering the service on the day, giving up their own time to raise over £20,000 for our 125 Group HST Depot Appeal. Huge thanks also to those who donated and bid for some very special auction and raffle prizes, and to everyone who bought tickets to ride ‘The Screaming Valentas’, we hope you enjoyed this adventure as much as we did and look forward to the next one!

The grand total raised by ‘The Screaming Valentas’ for our HST Depot Appeal will be announced soon. We appreciate all contributions, please donate HERE.

‘The Screaming Valentas’ railtour at Loughborough High Level GCRN with Sir Kenneth Grange, HST designer and 125 Group Hon President, in the driving cab, 17Nov2018. ©125 Group