Railtour

Our first Railtours of 2026!

Our plans to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the HST this year are shaping up, so we are pleased to share with you advanced notice of our first Railtours for 2026.

The North-South Connection – Friday 1st May

This one-way stock move between Manchester Victoria and Reading calling at:

  • Manchester Victoria (approx 10:30)
  • Stockport (approx 11:00)
  • Stoke on Trent (approx 11:30)
  • Nuneaton (p.u approx 12:10)
  • Watford Junction (s.d approx 13:30)
  • Reading (s.d. approx 15:00)

Fares between all points are £39 standard / £59 First Class & light refreshments will be available from the buffet counter.

The Welsh Dragon – Saturday 2nd May

Recreating the HST operations from the 1990s, our train will operate as follows:

  • London Euston (approx 09:00)
  • Watford Junction (p.u approx 09:20)
  • Milton Keynes Central (approx 09:40)
  • Nuneaton (approx 10:20)

We then run via Crewe to Llandudno where the annual Transport Festival will be underway. If you wish to spend longer on our set, stay on board for a mini-trip via Llandudno Jcn. to Holyhead and back. Our return trip from Llandudno will leave early evening, setting down at the stations above and arriving into Euston approx 22:00.

Fares will be available as follows:

Main tour to/from Llandudno:

  • First Class: £99 (Table for 2 supplement of £20 per person)
  • Standard Class: £73 Adult (£58 accompanied under 18)

Main & Mini tour combined:

  • First Class: £119 (Table for 2 supplement of £20 per person)
  • Standard Class: £89 Adult (£74 accompanied under 18)

Mini tour only (limited availability):

  • First Class: £35
  • Standard Class: £25

Refreshments including freshly cooked items will be available from the buffet counter.

Tickets for both tours above will go on sale soon, keep an eye out for our announcements on email & social media. All times stated are approximate and more detail will follow once these are confirmed by Network Rail.

SATURDAY 19 JULY – ONE-WAY TRANSIT TRIP FROM DERBY TO READING

In conjunction with the operation of the UK Railtours trip from Paddington to Pembroke and Tenby on Sunday 20th July, 125 Group is please to announce that the stock movement of the HST is being made available to the public as a one-way trip between Derby and Reading.  Not only does that give the opportunity for folks from the Midlands and the South to ride our HST at a hugely discounted price, but it is also operating by a rare and interesting route around the West Midlands.

Our planned route is:

DEPART: DERBY approx 14:30

Calling at:

TAMWORTH approx 14.55

Via Water Orton, Sutton Park, Walsall to

TAME BRIDGE PARKWAY approx 15:35

Via Perry Barr North Junction, Soho North Junction, Stourbridge Junction to

KIDDERMINSTER  approx 16:15

Via Worcester Shrub Hill and Moreton in Marsh to

READING where we terminate approx 18:05

The HST will comprise (subject to availability) 43159 + 43089 plus seven trailer cars – two First Class, a catering vehicle and four standard class.

Participants may join and leave at any of the stated calling points – the same fare applies throughout. PLEASE NOTE this is a ONE-WAY trip only and is available at the amazing prices of £45 First Class and £35 standard class.  Light refreshments of hot and cold drinks and packaged snacks will be available throughout from the buffet counter and a 125 Group shop will be in operation.

Following feedback from our previous stock move, individual seats will not be allocated – but the online purchase will guarantee you a seat place and we will advise on the joining instructions the vehicle in which your seat will be located.

When booking, please retain/print your order receipt as this will gain you access to the train and the order number will be used as the means of identification. Our booking conditions can be found here.

We will not sell more places than the number of available seats – so your place is assured.  Book early to ensure your place by clicking Shop now below!