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

41001 Public Launch Weekend

We are delighted that Prototype HST Power Car 41001 will be hauling its first public passenger trains since restoration by 125 Group Project Miller, at the Great Central Railway (Nottingham) on Sunday 24th & Bank Holiday Monday 25th May 2015.

41001 will be operating ‘top and tail’ with locomotive 56097, hauling a mixed rake of GCR(N)’s Mk2 coaches and 125 Group’s recently acquired Mk3s. Many of the volunteers who have worked tirelessly to bring this historic power car back to life will be present, we look forward to welcoming you and showing off our iconic Valenta powered wonder! Details of fares, timetables and how to get to the Great Central Railway (Nottingham) are available at their website www.gcrn.co.uk.