MKIIIs

Prototype HST Bound for Bo’ness

HST Bubblebath ©125 Group

This weekend Prototype HST Power Car 41001 and 125 Group’s matching Mk3 coaches will be starring at the Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway Summer Diesel Gala, hauling passenger trains on the south bank of Firth of Forth between Bo’ness and Manuel. This will be the first time for 41001 working public trains in Scotland, the historic Valenta powered HST will be running on all three days Friday 22nd, Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th July. This exciting event will also feature other visiting locos plus the home diesel fleet. More information, including ticket prices and a link to the special timetable loco roster are available at the B&KR website HERE.

Our volunteers have been busy preparing the HST ready for the trip from its home base Great Central Railway (Nottingham) to Scotland. Traction for the mainline movements is planned to be 20189 + 20205, below is a summary of the booked workings with live schedule links courtesy of Realtime Trains:

Wednesday 20th July 2016

0Z20 14+56 Tyseley – Hotchley Hill/Rushcliffe Halt (arrive 17+36) via Nuneaton, Leicester, Loughborough South Jn 16/56. 20189 + 20205. http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/R41096/2016/07/20/advanced

5Z41 16+30 Ruddington – Hotchley Hill/Rushcliffe Halt (arrive 17+15) via Fifty Steps (reverse), power car 41001 hauling Mk3 coaches 11074+10206+12092.

5M20 20+05 Hotchley Hill/Rushcliffe Halt – Derby (arrive 22+38) via Loughborough South Jn 20/45, Humberstone Road (run round/reverse). 20189 + 20205 hauling 41001, 11074, 10206 and 12092. http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K91059/2016/07/20/advanced

Thursday 21st July 2016

5S20 08+24 Derby – Bo’ness Junction Exchange Siding via Chesterfield, Beighton Jn, Moorthorpe, Milford, York Avoiding Line, East Coast Mainline, Newcastle, Dunbar, Monktonhall Jn, Millerhill, Suburban Line, Falkirk High, Cadder Down Passenger Loop (run round/reverse), Falkirk High, booked to arrive Bo’ness Junction Exchange Siding 23+32. 20189 + 20205 hauling 41001, 11074, 10206 and 12092. Note this movement is booked to be recessed in many loops for a great deal of time, see schedule for the full timing details. http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K91057/2016/07/21/advanced

Please note, as always, all of this information is provided in good faith but these movements, traction and consists can change at short notice on the day subject to operational constraints, the trains may run early or late or be cancelled.

HST Prototype High Mileage Day

HST Driver’s View on the Great Central Mainline looking south from GCR(N) Fifty Steps – Next stop Marylebone! ©125 Group

Prototype High Speed Train Power Car 41001 and 125 Group’s matching Mk3 coaches are back in action this Saturday 11th June on the Great Central Railway (Nottingham) taking part in a 100 mile running day with a special timetable in operation. Services will depart from Ruddington station (sat-nav postcode NG11 6JS) at 0900, 1045, 1215, 1345, 1515 and 1645(this train to Rushcliffe Halt and back only). Trains will operate top ‘n’ tail with 41001 providing traction when going southbound and Brush Type 4 locomotive 47292 doing the work northbound, giving over 50 miles haulage from each and more than 100 miles for the whole day. Tickets are available to buy on the day or in advance on-line from the GCR(N) Website which has more details and the full timetable.

The GCR(N) route is just under 10 miles long, after departing 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 Brush Locomotive Works with class 73s and 92s often visible. ‘Buffet 125’ on-board our Mk3 coach 10206 will be serving hot bacon rolls and burgers, hot and cold beverages plus alcoholic drinks including bottled beer. The 125 Group Sales Stand will also be open on the train, selling HST 40 Year Anniversary merchandise including mugs, badges and commemorative souvenir programmes from the recent Bristol St.Philips Marsh HST open day.