Rare Class 08 Loco(s) and Etches Park visit added to Pickering Paxman HST Railtour

The first HST visit to the Whitby branch took place on 23 April 1988, the railtour is seen arriving at Battersby on its outward run with 43118 leading. Photo Copyright Richard Allen

With huge thanks to East Midlands Trains and the Etches Park depot team, we are delighted to announce an exciting addition to the Pickering Paxman HST “Railway Children” charity charter on Saturday 15 July 2017.

Departing at an earlier estimated time of 05.30, our 8-car HST will be hauled from Derby station on to Etches Park depot by 2 x Class 08 (both under power). EMT’s own 08899 has been fully confirmed …

*** UPDATE … and use of 08417 is now also CONFIRMED with thanks to East Midlands Trains, LORAM and Network Rail. Both 08899 and 08417 will be crewed and both locomotives will be under power. ***

It is booked that the charter will traverse the old Carriage Wash Road, which has not featured in the various recent BLS charters at Etches Park. The HST set will then return by taking the Pilot Siding (not previously covered) and the Goods Lines including St Mary’s crossover (avoiding Derby station), under its own power, before picking up at Chesterfield Platform 3 at 06.52 (estimated) , then proceeding to Sheffield as booked.

For those who just wish to travel on this short addition, a special advance single fare Derby – Etches Park depot – Chesterfield of £29.00 applies.

For those who wish to travel on the shunters and then on to York (and return) as they are heading to the Wensleydale Railway event (where a Class 60 is expected to feature), a special advance fare of £39.00 applies.

Finally, standard class fares remain available for the entire journey including the shunter special and the journey to North Yorkshire Moors Railway and Whitby (platform 2). First class dining is fully sold out. Those who have already booked will be able to travel on the shunter special at no extra charge. Any passengers who may wish to have an extra hour in bed rather than enjoy the rare line and rare locos will be permitted to travel with the compliments of East Midlands Trains on the 06.27 Meridian service from Derby to Chesterfield platform 1, arriving at 06.45, where they can make the short transfer to platform 3 for the 125 Special.

Note that our visit to Whitby is now AFTER our visit to Pickering.

The updated booking form is available, click HERE.

RailUK Forums Boosts HST Depot Appeal

125 Group’s Depot appeal has been given a huge boost after a receiving a sizeable donation from an online railway forum. RailUK Forums has agreed to donate £4,100.01, bringing the total raised to £78,142.96, over ¾ of the way towards the target of £100,000.

125 Group, the High Speed Train preservation society and registered charity based at Great Central Railway (Nottingham), requires £100,000 for the development which will protect its InterCity 125 HST rolling stock from the ravages of the English weather.

RailUK Forums – www.railforums.co.uk – was founded in 2005 and has grown to be one of the largest internet railway forums in the country, members discuss on-line a wide spectrum of interests relating to railways as well as other forms of transport.

Since its introduction over 40 years ago, the InterCity 125 has been popular with enthusiasts, passengers and railway staff alike and is a frequent topic of conversation. With some of the fleet now destined for withdrawal, interest in HSTs has grown further, also helped by the work of 125 Group restoring Mk3 coaches and the National Railway Museum’s prototype power car 41001 to working order.

With the prospect of production power cars becoming surplus and available for preservation in the near future, 125 Group launched its HST Depot Appeal in June with the objective of constructing a small depot facility at its Ruddington base at Great Central Railway (Nottingham), where necessary maintenance and restoration work of these important vehicles and its existing fleet can be made under cover.

RailUK Forums spokesman Mike Wooldridge said “After our busiest and most successful year to date, we are delighted to be able to assist 125 Group by donating our surplus advertising revenue towards the group’s HST Depot Appeal. The InterCity 125 has an important place in railway history, and these trains are a favourite among many of our members. The new depot will provide a facility that will help ensure that people are able to experience the sight and sound of an HST for many years to come.”

Gary Heelas, Chairman of 125 Group Limited said “It is great to see such an active forum organised such that money is raised by members simply using it. 125 Group is very honoured to have been chosen by RailUK Forums and this gives our HST Depot Appeal yet another massive boost.”

125 Group welcomes private donations and corporate sponsorship for our HST Depot Appeal.
More information available: www.125group.org.uk/depot
To discuss corporate sponsorship please contact: depot@125group.org.uk