41001 departing for Old Oak Common

41001 on GCR(N) ‘Mainline’ ©125 Group

On Sunday 27th August, Prototype High Speed Train power car 41001 will be setting off from its home base Ruddington on the Great Central Railway (Nottingham) heading for Old Oak Common and the Great Western Railway public Open Day which takes place on Saturday 2nd September.

41001 together with 47828 + 37003 are expected to depart from Ruddington at approx 0830 Sunday 27th August heading for Rushcliffe Halt which is also known as East Leake/Hotchley Hill. They will be collected by 57604 with schedule planned 0Z58 1000 Hotchley Hill – Leicester Depot to set down 37003 then onward as 0Z59 1530 Leicester Depot – Old Oak Common via Oakham 16/14, Peterborough 16/45, Huntingdon 17/30, Potters Bar 18/30, Finsbury Park 1848-1932, Camden Road 19/51, Willesden Jn High Level 20/09, Acton Mainline 2012-2017, Old Oak Common 2047.

Live schedules can be found here, courtesy of our friends at Realtime Trains. Please note, as always, this information is provided in good faith but these movements can change at short notice on the day subject to operational constraints, the trains may run early or late or be cancelled.

0Z58  http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/R73450/2017/08/27/advanced

0Z59  http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/O22593/2017/08/27/advanced

Tickets are still available for what promises to be a very memorable open day celebrating 111 years of Old Oak Common. To view full information about the open day, including how to get there and to buy tickets on-line, see the event website www.oocopenday.com

Prototype HST running Sat 26th August Great Central Railway Nottingham

Prototype HST power car 41001 at Fifty Steps GCRN ©125 Group

Prototype High Speed Train Power Car 41001 and 125 Group’s matching Mk3 coaches will be working passenger trains at Great Central Railway (Nottingham) on Saturday 26th August. Services depart from Ruddington station (sat-nav postcode NG11 6JS) at 1030, 1215, 1400 and 1545 running to Loughborough Viaduct and back. The preserved HST will operate top ‘n’ tail with 41001 at the north end of the Mk3 coaches and locomotive 47292 is planned to be at the south end. Tickets are available to buy on the day on-board the train, or in advance on-line from www.gcrn.co.uk which has further information.

The GCR(N) route is just under 10 miles long, after departing from Ruddington trains reverse at Fifty Steps then run southbound calling at Rushcliffe Halt station, continuing through the scenic Nottinghamshire countryside to Loughborough Viaduct, which has no station but affords a great view over the Midland Mainline and looks down into Brush Locomotive Works, with class 73s, 92s and 319s often visible. Ruddington station is the base for GCR(N) with many heritage transport exhibits, Rushcliffe Country Park is also nearby including, for the younger enthusiast, an extensive green play area next to the railway line.

‘Buffet 125’ will be open on-board our Mk3 coach 10206, selling hot dogs, sandwiches, hot and cold beverages plus alcoholic drinks including bottled beer, our volunteers will be pleased to serve you. The 125 Group sales stand will also be on the train, with our latest range of merchandise available. Experience a grand summer’s day out with 41001 and its original screaming Paxman Valenta engine!