Paxman

EMT Hospitality for 41001

Today Saturday 29th June, Prototype HST Power Car 41001 is being hauled from Derby Etches Park Depot to Leeds Neville Hill Depot where repairs will be carried out to its Paxman Valenta engine which has a failed cylinder compression ring. We are extremely grateful to East Midlands Trains for moving 41001 and hosting this historic vehicle at their depots, enabling the power car to be worked on under cover, with highly skilled staff and great facilities on-hand.

41001 is the original High Speed Train Power Car, built in 1972 as the forerunner of the immensely successful Inter-City 125. Owned by the National Railway Museum, 125 Group became custodians in 2012 and restored the power car from static museum exhibit to full working order under ‘Project Miller’, much of this work was carried out at Neville Hill. Now based at Great Central Railway (Nottingham), before being taken out of traffic in early May, 41001 had been operating reliably for almost five years. Neville Hill was 41001’s home in 1973/4 during ECML high speed testing and has been at the centre of HST maintenance ever since. Sincere thank you to the kind people of East Midlands Trains, especially Derby Etches Park and Neville Hill Depots for their help.

41001 is being hauled by East Midlands Trains power car 43484 on transit move 5Z50 08+19 Derby Etches Park Depot to Neville Hill Depot via Derby, Duffield, Chesterfield 08/59, Beighton Jn 09/09, Swinton 09/55, Moorthorpe 10/03, Wakefield Westgate 10/17, Leeds 1040-1115, arriving Neville Hill Depot at 1124. The full live schedule courtesy of Realtime Trains can be found HERE.

These are the planned timings, traction and routing, all of which can change at short notice on the day subject to operational constraints, and may run early or late. As always, plans are made and this information is provided in good faith, however all arrangements in railway preservation are subject to alteration in the event of changing circumstances, for which we can not be held liable. 125 Group is custodian of 41001 which is owned by the National Railway Museum.

For the detailed behind the scenes story of 41001 and our fleet of Mk3 coaches, join 125 Group and receive our exclusive quarterly magazine. Signing up to our monthly donation scheme includes free membership and really helps our preservation efforts. Join HERE.

Prototype HST February Running

Prototype HST power car 41001’s Paxman Valenta engine is started in the yard at Ruddington GCR(N). ©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 half-term weekends Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th also Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th February. Services depart from Ruddington station at 1100, 1300 and 1500 running to Loughborough Viaduct and back. The preserved HST will operate top ‘n’ tail with 41001 at the south end and a GCR(N) locomotive at the north end. Our recently restored Mk3 coach TSO 12087 will also be part of the train. Tickets available to buy on-board, on the day.

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 (sat-nav postcode NG11 6JS) is the base for GCR(N) with many heritage transport exhibits, see www.gcrn.co.uk for further information.

‘Buffet 125’ will be open on-board our Mk3 coach RFM 10206, selling hot snacks, 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 day out riding our warm comfortable Mk3 coaches, powered by 41001 and its original screaming Paxman Valenta engine!