Marvellous Mid-Norfolk!

Driver’s view from 41001 between Dereham and Worthing, Mid-Norfolk Railway, 07/04/2019. ©125 Group

The Prototype HST Power Car and 125 Group’s Mk3 coaches have completed a marvellous weekend of passenger running at the Mid-Norfolk Railway Spring Diesel Gala. Thank you to everyone who came along and bought tickets to travel, we hope you enjoyed the event as much as we did. The 125 Group team would like to offer special thanks to all at the Mid-Norfolk Railway for their usual warm welcome.

41001 and the Mk3s are today (Monday 8th April) leaving the MNR bound for home base Great Central Railway (Nottingham). The HST is expected to depart from Dereham at 0930 hauled by 47367 to Wymondham Loop from where 50008 will work the train, running as 5Q41 via Thetford (1139), Ely North Curve, March, Peterborough (1303-1308), Oakham, Syston Jns, Loughborough South Jn to Rushcliffe Halt GCRN (Hotchley Hill) arriving at 1508. The full consist will be 50008 + 10206 + 12092 + 11074 + 12134 + 41001. From Rushcliffe Halt, 47292 is then planned to haul the set to Ruddington GCRN. Full detailed live schedule for the movement can be found HERE.

These are the planned timings, routing and traction, all of which can change at short notice on the day subject to operational constraints, and the train may run early or late. As always, plans are made and this information is provided in good faith, however all arrangements in railway preservation are subject to alteration in the event of changing circumstances, for which 125 Group can not be held liable.

HST Bound for Mid-Norfolk Railway

Prototype HST hauled by 50008 at Rushcliffe Halt GCRN ready to depart for the Mid-Norfolk Railway, 04/04/2019. Photo © J.Akinin

Prototype High Speed Train Power Car 41001 and 125 Group’s Mk3 coaches are this afternoon travelling from their home base Great Central Railway (Nottingham) bound for the Mid-Norfolk Railway to take part in the Spring Diesel Event this weekend.

The transfer is running with schedule 5Z43 1610 Hotchley Hill (Rushcliffe Halt) – Dereham, running via Barrow-Upon-Soar, Melton Mowbray, Stamford, Peterborough, March, Ely West Jn, Ely North Jn, Thetford, Wymondham, onto the MNR and booked to arrive Dereham at 2027. The convoy is being hauled by English Electric class 50 locomotive 50008, full consist is 50008 + 41001 + 11074 + 12134 + 12092 + 10206. Full live schedule details for the movement can be found courtesy of Realtime Trains HERE.

These are the planned timings, routing and traction, all of which can change at short notice on the day subject to operational constraints, and the train may run early or late! As always, plans are made and this information is provided in good faith, however all arrangements in railway preservation are subject to alteration in the event of changing circumstances, for which 125 Group can not be held liable.

The Mid-Norfolk Railway Spring Diesel Event takes place Friday 5th to Sunday 7th April. The Prototype High Speed Train will work public services over this scenic route alongside other guest locomotives and the Mid-Norfolk Railway resident fleet. We hope you can join us for this exciting event! For more details see the MNR website HERE.

Prototype HST Planned for SVR Visit

Subject to final agreement from the National Railway Museum, we are hoping to have Prototype HST Power Car 41001 at the Severn Valley Railway Spring Diesel Festival from Thursday 16th to Saturday 18th May and Mixed Traction Day on Sunday 19th May.

Unique 41001 is planned to work public services between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth, hauling five of 125 Group’s Mk3 coaches, recreating the look of the Prototype High Speed Train. 

The air-braked Mk3 vehicles planned to attend are First Open 11074, Standard 12087, 12092 and recently restored 12134, plus catering car 10206 which will be serving delicious hot and cold drinks and snacks from Buffet 125. The weekend will also feature other guest locomotives and the Severn Valley Railway resident fleet, for more details see the SVR website HERE. 

The Prototype HST was built in 1972 and during testing between York and Darlington in 1973 smashed the UK rail and world diesel speed record reaching 143.2mph. It was the fore-runner to the hugely successful InterCity 125 Production HST fleet which revolutionised long distance UK rail travel. 41001 is part of the National Collection, restoration was funded and carried out by 125 Group under the ‘Project Miller’ banner after the power car had spent over 25 years as a static exhibit at York NRM. The power car is fitted with a ‘screaming’ Paxman Valenta engine of the type which originally powered all HSTs.

As always, plans are made and this information is provided in good faith, however all arrangements in railway preservation are subject to alteration in the event of changing circumstances, for which 125 Group can not be held liable. 41001 appears courtesy of and subject to final approval by its owners the NRM. As soon as final confirmation is received it will be announced on 125 Group and SVR websites and social media.

41001 for Mid-Norfolk Railway Diesel Event

On a previous visit to the Mid-Norfolk Railway for the 2016 Diesel Gala, the Prototype HST accelerates north towards Hardingham station, viewed from the signal box. Track alterations have since been made here including a new passing loop. ©125 Group

The Mid-Norfolk Railway Spring Diesel Event takes place Friday 5th to Sunday 7th April and we are very pleased to announce Prototype HST Power Car 41001 and four of our Mk3 coaches will be taking part. The historic Power Car is fitted with the original type Paxman Valenta engine, famous for its glorious screaming sound. The High Speed Train will work public services over this scenic route alongside other guest locomotives and the Mid-Norfolk Railway resident fleet, for more details see the MNR website HERE.

The Prototype HST was built in 1972 as fore-runner to the hugely successful InterCity 125 Production HST fleet which revolutionised long distance UK rail travel. 41001 is part of the National Collection, restoration was funded and carried out by 125 Group under the ‘Project Miller’ banner after the power car had spent over 25 years as a static exhibit at York NRM. 41001 is no stranger to the Mid-Norfolk Railway, having visited in 2016 and over the recent festive period. We are very pleased to be bringing the Valenta scream back to Norfolk!

As always, plans are made and this information is provided in good faith, however all arrangements in railway preservation are subject to alteration in the event of changing circumstances, for which 125 Group can not be held liable.

Prototype HST to Headline K&WVR Gala

We are delighted to announce, with thanks to the National Railway Museum, that Prototype HST Power Car 41001 will headline the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway Diesel & Mixed Traffic Gala, Friday 3rd to Bank Holiday Monday 6th May. The unique locomotive will work public services between Keighley and Oxenhope, hauling five of 125 Group’s Mk3 coaches, recreating the look of the Prototype High Speed Train. The Gala will also feature other guest locomotives and the K&WVR resident fleet, for more details see the K&WVR website HERE.

The Prototype HST was built in 1972 and during testing between York and Darlington in 1973 smashed the UK rail and world diesel speed record reaching 143.2mph. It was the fore-runner to the hugely successful InterCity 125 Production HST fleet which revolutionised long distance UK rail travel. 41001 is part of the National Collection, restoration was funded and carried out by 125 Group under the ‘Project Miller’ banner after the power car had spent over 25 years as a static exhibit at York NRM. The power car is fitted with a ‘screaming’ Paxman Valenta engine of the type which originally powered all HSTs.

As always, plans are made and this information is provided in good faith, however all arrangements in railway preservation are subject to alteration in the event of changing circumstances, for which 125 Group can not be held liable.