Preservation

Posts about 41001 and our MkIII coaches

Celebrating 40 Years of 125mph Operation

125 Group Chairman Gary Heelas and Chef Leanne Cooke in RFM 10206. ©125 Group

125 Group was pleased to support Great Western Railway in May, by providing its Prototype High Speed Train for the successful charity open day at Bristol St.Philips Marsh depot and by sponsoring the naming of GWR power car 43002 ‘Sir Kenneth Grange’ after designer of the famous nosecone, and now Honorary President of 125 Group. The power car was beautifully restored to original livery and adorned with ‘40 YEARS 1976/2016’ Plaques.

To continue the celebration of 40 years of the iconic HST, and with the further co-operation of GWR, 125 Group is pleased to unveil the same design of 40th Anniversary Plaque on its own Prototype HST operating on the Great Central Railway (Nottingham) based at Ruddington. The plaque will be mounted and displayed inside 125 Group’s Mk3 Restaurant Buffet Car 10206, formerly HST catering vehicle 40507, which provides tasty hot food to travellers behind 41001.

125 Group is also set to work with other current HST operators and owners, to enable the display of further plaques celebrating HST40. Keep your eyes peeled for more plaques soon! #HST40

We would like to acknowledge the efforts and support of Paul Gentleman, Great Western Railway, Newton Replicas and Porterbrook in producing these plaques.

Media enquiries: media@125group.org.uk

Saturday HST Valenta Action

41001 with 47765 at Ruddington GCRN ©125 Group

This Saturday 27th August sees Prototype HST Power Car 41001 and 125 Group’s matching Mk3 coaches back out working passenger services at home base Great Central Railway (Nottingham). 41001 will be operating public trains for the first time with the power car facing north on the GCR(N) mainline.

The ‘Yellow Timetable’ will be in operation with departures from Ruddington (sat-nav postcode NG11 6JS) at 1030, 1215, 1400 and 1545, Scotrail liveried 47765 is planned to be the locomotive on the south end of the set. Join us and experience the marvellous screaming Valenta climbing all the way from Loughborough to Barnstone Tunnel on the former Great Central mainline!

Hot bacon baps, burgers, hot and cold drinks plus alcoholic beverages including bottled ale will be available from Buffet 125 on-board the train, along with our 125 Group Sales Stand – buy your HST 40YEAR badges and mugs here. For information about tickets and how to get to GRC(N), view their website www.gcrn.co.uk.