Hybrid HSTs @40 – Saturday 19th November

EMT and Prototype HSTs ©125 Group

Saturday 19th November will see a special hybrid High Speed Train operating public services at Great Central Railway (Nottingham) to celebrate 40 Years of the iconic Inter-City 125. For this charity event, East Midlands Trains are kindly lending two of their power cars and two Mk3 coaches, funds raised will benefit 125 Group and Railway Children. The special HST formation will consist of an EMT power car at one end of the train, Prototype power car 41001 at the other, and coaches from both EMT and 125 Group in between, the first time such a combination has ever been seen. The hybrid HST will work public trains over the former Great Central Mainline, through the scenic Nottinghamshire countryside, making four return trips between Ruddington and Loughborough High Level. Confirmed Timetable below.

‘Buffet 125’ on-board our Mk3 RFM coach 10206 will be serving hot bacon rolls and burgers, hot and cold beverages plus alcoholic drinks including real ale. The 125 Group sales stand will also be open on the train, selling HST merchandise including badges, power car artwork and DVDs. Tickets are available on-line or on-board, reduced fares apply for 125 Group and GCRN members on production of a valid membership card, also for EMT staff with ID. 1st Class Upgrade available on the day. The second EMT power car will be on display all day at Ruddington, open for cab visits in return for a donation to Railway Children who will also have Xmas cards and other items for sale during the day. We are also expecting some special guests who were part of the original HST story 40 years ago and between 1115 and 1145 there will be an unveiling of a ’40 YEARS’ plaque, sponsored by 125 Group, on an EMT power car to mark this important anniversary year. More on the event, tickets and location here: www.gcrn.co.uk

We are very grateful to East Midlands Trains for their kind support. We hope you can join us and celebrate 40 years of the Inter-City 125 High Speed Train, the UK’s most successful train, while raising funds for Railway Children which does such great work fighting for street children abroad and at home. More information on Railway Children here: www.railwaychildren.org.uk

HSTs Head for Bristol

41001 on GCR(N) ‘Mainline’ ©125 Group

High Speed Train power cars of many colours will be departing from all over the UK for Bristol over this weekend, heading for St.Philips Marsh public Open Day on Monday 2nd May.  Prototype 41001 and 125 Group’s Mk3 coaches are also being prepared for the trip from their home base at Ruddington Great Central Railway (Nottingham) to the Great Western Railway.

Tickets are still available for what promises to be a very memorable open day celebrating 40 Years of HSTs. The event is being hosted by Great Western Railway in aid of Springboard Opportunity Group.  For more information and to book tickets CLICK HERE.

This is a summary of the non-passenger convoys planned however 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. Live schedule links are shown where available courtesy of Realtime Trains.

Saturday 30th April

0750 Craigentinny to Heaton, formed of Virgin Power Car 43300 + Virgin Trailer First 41190 + NMT Power Car 43013. http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K96080/2016/04/30/advanced

1339 Heaton to Etches Park, formed of Virgin Power Car 43300 + NMT Power Car 43013 + Grand Central Power Car 43423 + Virgin Trailer First 41190. http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K96081/2016/04/30/advanced

Sunday 1st May

5Z42 1619 Etches Park to Hotchley Hill (GCRN Rushcliffe Halt), formed of Virgin Power Car 43300 + NMT Power Car 43013 + Grand Central Power Car 43423 + Virgin Trailer First 41190 + East Midlands Trains Power Car 43048. http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K96084/2016/05/01/advanced

Prototype Power Car 41001 + 125 Group Mk3s 12092 + 10206 + 11074 are expected to depart from Ruddington at 1645 heading for Rushcliffe Halt, including a run-round at 50 Steps.

5Z43 1925 Hotchley Hill (GCRN Rushcliffe Halt) to Bristol St.Philips Marsh, formed of Virgin Power Car 43300 + NMT Power Car 43013 + Grand Central Power Car 43423 + Prototype Power Car 41001 + 125 Group Mk3s 12092 + 10206 + 11074 + Virgin Trailer First 41190 + East Midlands Trains Power Car 43048. http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K96085/2016/05/01/advanced

The convoy is planned to return north from Bristol early on Tuesday 3rd May.