Mid-Norfolk Railway Spring Diesel Gala

D400 seen from 41001’s cab during transit from GCRN to MNR 31st March 2016 (c)125 Group

High Speed Train Prototype Power Car 41001 and 125 Group’s matching Mk3 coaches 12092, 10206 and 11074 have arrived safely at the Mid-Norfolk Railway, following transit from their home base Ruddington GCR(N). They will be taking part in the MNR’s Spring Diesel Gala this weekend, working passenger trains on Friday 1st, Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd April.

Mk3s 10213 and 12092 at Dereham, Mid Norfolk Railway 31st March 2016 (c)125 Group

Highlights include 41001 hauling the longest rake of Mk3 coaches in Preservation, special run-pasts at Hardingham station, ‘The Breckland Fryer’ breakfast trains, plus many other diesel locomotives including no less than three English Electric class 50s. Come and experience the Prototype HST fitted with the original classic Paxman Valenta engine, bringing to life the sights and sounds of the 1970s. Full details including special timetables, locomotive rosters and ticketing information can be found on the MNR website.

Mid-Norfolk Railway first visit for Prototype HST

The Mid-Norfolk Railway and 125 Group are proud to announce the first away heritage railway visit of restored Prototype High Speed Train power car 41001 will be to the Dereham to Wymondham line for the Spring Diesel Gala in early April 2016.

41001 hauling 125 Group’s Mk3s coaches in 2015 prior to repaint into Prototype HST Livery ©125 Group

With its distinctive original type Paxman Valenta engine, 41001 will visit the MNR with 125 Group’s three matching Mk3 coaches, representative of the type that it would have operated with in the 1970s, First Class 11074, Standard Class 12092, and Restaurant-Buffet car 10206. The coaches are currently being re-liveried in the original prototype blue and light grey colours and the visit to the Mid-Norfolk Railway will be the first opportunity to ride on the Prototype High Speed Train away from its home base at the Great Central Railway (Nottingham). 125 Group are the custodians of 41001 which is part of the National Collection.

Prototype HST at White Waltham near Maidenhead September 1975 ©Dave Hird

The diesel gala itself will run from Friday 1st to Sunday 3rd April with an intensive service operating on the 12 mile line between Dereham and Wymondham. There will be other visiting locomotives which will be announced nearer to the event including representatives from other heritage railways and mainline operators.

For event information and how to book tickets, see the MNR website: www.mnr.org.uk/category/events

The story of how 125 Group restored 41001 under ‘Project Miller’ can be found on our website: www.125group.org.uk