Victorious Nene Valley

41001 125 Group Mk3s Wansford NVR 10Apr2016 ©125 Group

The Prototype HST Power Car and 125 Group’s matching Mk3 coaches have completed a victorious weekend of passenger running at the Nene Valley Railway Spring Diesel Gala, the first ever visit of 41001 to this scenic line. The gala was well attended by locomotives and passengers and the HST proved a very popular attraction, at times there were so many passengers on board that it was difficult to walk through to our ‘Buffet 125’ so apologies to anyone who missed out on the delicious bacon baps and burgers on offer! Highlights included running through to the delightful station at Yarwell Junction, and several pairings with class 50, 56 and 60 locomotives, including a few cases where the Screaming Valenta was left doing all the work – it was our pleasure! Thank you to all who came along to ride on the iconic Prototype HST and for the many compliments about our restoration of 41001 and the Mk3 coaches. The 125 Group team would like to offer special thanks to to all of the staff and volunteers at the Nene Valley Railway for their warm welcome and hospitality.

41001 and the Mk3s are today (Tuesday 12th April) leaving the NVR bound for home – Great Central Railway (Nottingham). The HST is expected to depart from Wansford soon after lunch as part of a non-passenger convoy hauled by locomotive 56098, running with schedule 5Z41 1445 Orton Mere-Hotchley Hill via Peterborough ECML (1505-1507), Melton Mowbray (15/59), Syston East Jn, Syston North Jn (16/20), Loughborough South Jn (16/34) and onto GCR(N). After arrival and shunting at Rushcliffe Halt, 41001 will haul the Mk3s the last leg of the journey back to Ruddington. The full schedule for the movement can be found courtesy of Realtime Trains here: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K96076/2016/04/12/advanced  These are the planned timings, routing and traction, all of which can change at short notice subject to operational constraints, and the train may run early or late or be cancelled.

Valenta Returns to Scotland!

41001 Crossing the Border 21st July 2016 ©125 Group

Prototype Power Car 41001 is now in Scotland, its first visit in preservation, together with 125 Group’s matching Mk3 coaches passed over the border on the ECML at Marshall Meadows at 1801 this evening. The historic HST is heading for the Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway where it will be starring in their Summer Diesel Gala this weekend. The transit is running under schedule 5S20 12+14 York Holgate Sidings – Bo’ness Junction Exchange Siding hauled by superb locomotives 20189 + 20205. Follow progress courtesy of Realtime Trains here: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K91057/2016/07/21/advanced.

At the time of posting (2030 Thu) the convoy is running 76 minutes early passing Polmont, having been routed via Edinburgh Waverley station instead of the planned Suburban line. The train is expected to run through to Cadder Loop as booked, we can not be sure if the early running will be maintained or not.  Once at Bo’ness Junction Exchange Siding, the Class 20s will propel the train down the link line and are then expected to haul the HST to Bo’ness itself.

Join us at the B&KR Summer Diesel Gala this weekend and experience 41001’s fantastic Paxman Valenta engine, the screaming type originally fitted to all Inter-City 125s. The HST will be working passenger trains on all three days Friday 22nd, Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th July. More information, including ticket prices and a link to the special timetable and LOCOMOTIVE ROSTERS are available at the B&KR website HERE.