41001 Leaving Leeds

Prototype HST Power Car 41001 is heading south today, departing from Leeds Neville Hill depot bound for Derby Etches Park. The unique Power Car has been receiving care from our friends at East Midlands Trains and more recently East Midlands Railway, for which we are most grateful. 41001 is expected to return to home base Ruddington GCRN in the near future. The power car requires further engine and cooling system work before it can return to traffic, as usual 125 Group members will be the first to receive updates.

41001 is being hauled by East Midlands Railway power cars 43465 and 43467 on transit move 0Z52 11+16 Neville Hill to Etches Park via Leeds, Wakefield Westgate, Moorthorpe (12/05), Swinton, Beighton Jn, Chesterfield (1310-26), Alfreton, Toton, Spondon, booked to arrive Etches Park at 1455. The full live schedule courtesy of Realtime Trains can be found HERE. Sincere thanks from 125 Group to East Midlands Railway for their hospitality and help moving 41001 which is part of the National Collection.

These are the planned timings, traction and routing, all of which can change at short notice on the day subject to operational constraints, 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 we can not be held liable. 125 Group is custodian of 41001 which is owned by the National Railway Museum.

For the detailed behind the scenes story of 41001 and our fleet of Mk3 coaches, join 125 Group and receive our exclusive quarterly magazine. Signing up to our monthly donation scheme includes free membership and really helps our preservation efforts. Join HERE.

Second INTERCITY Mk3 in Service

125 Group’s second Mk3 Coach painted in INTERCITY Swallow livery 12087 enters service today at Great Central Railway Nottingham. In addition to its new paint scheme, the TSO has received much new internal work from 125 Group volunteers including ceiling repairs, toilet and both vestibules repainted, plus LED CDL installation.

Vehicle 12087 will be running with 12134 which wears the same stunning livery, working public passenger trains with other Mk3s from the 125 Group fleet, hauled top and tail by 47292 and class 31 locomotive D5830. Services will operate to Yellow Timetable B, with departures from Ruddington at 1045, 1245, 1345 and 1445. More details from GCRN available HERE.

125 Group’s sleek, air-conditioned Mk3 coaches provide comfortable seating, perfect for railway enthusiasts and all the family, whatever the weather. Our traditional ‘Buffet 125’ will be open on-board the train, serving a selection of delicious breakfast baps and other hot foods, cold snacks, hot and cold beverages plus alcoholic drinks including bottled ciders, beers and wine, our volunteers will be pleased to serve you.

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.

Farewell East Midlands Trains!

125 Group would like to say a massive Thank You to East Midlands Trains for 11 years of support and friendship, helping us grow from an enthusiast group into a fully fledged preservation group and registered charity, still the only one focused on the Inter-City 125.

Project Miller – our restoration of the National Railway Museum’s Prototype HST Power Car 41001 from static museum exhibit to fully working iconic treasure – received help from many companies in the railway industry but East Midlands Trains’ massive input hosting 41001 at Neville Hill and giving expert guidance was key. Three very special events ‘The Screaming Valenta’, ‘HSTs@40’ and ‘The Screaming Valentas’ all featured EMT HSTs running with 41001 at GCRN, providing entertainment to thousands of enthusiasts of all ages. Numerous other railtours, also run by volunteer EMT staff in their own time, took their HST fleet where no Inter-City 125 had gone before, all raising money for charitable causes including 125 Group, for which we are most grateful.

As East Midlands Trains draws to a close, we send best wishes to the excellent staff at all levels who are transferring to the new operator, starting a new exciting chapter with East Midlands Railway. We look forward to working with you in the future!