Screaming Valentas Success!

Volunteers from EMT, BLS, GCRN and 125 Group at Ruddington GCR(N) with 43467 and 41001 ‘The Screaming Valentas’ railtour, 17Nov2018. ©Richard Gennis

A massive Thankyou from 125 Group to everyone involved in making ‘The Screaming Valentas’ railtour such a success!

On Saturday 17th November, East Midlands Trains 6 coach HST with power cars 43423 ‘VALENTA 1972-2010’ and 43467 brought 292 passengers from Derby to Ruddington where Prototype Power Car 41001 replaced 43467 for a grand tour of the Great Central Railway (Nottingham) network. Lesser used lines covered included Rushcliffe Halt Up Loop and Bay Platform where HST Designer and 125 Group Hon President Sir Kenneth Grange joined the train, chatting to passengers and signing autographs.

We are immensely and sincerely grateful to all of the volunteers and staff teams from East Midlands Trains, Branch Line Society, Great Central Railway (Nottingham) and Network Rail for their fantastic efforts and support which made Saturday happen. Hours of preparation and detailed planning through to hard graft delivering the service on the day, giving up their own time to raise over £20,000 for our 125 Group HST Depot Appeal. Huge thanks also to those who donated and bid for some very special auction and raffle prizes, and to everyone who bought tickets to ride ‘The Screaming Valentas’, we hope you enjoyed this adventure as much as we did and look forward to the next one!

The grand total raised by ‘The Screaming Valentas’ for our HST Depot Appeal will be announced soon. We appreciate all contributions, please donate HERE.

‘The Screaming Valentas’ railtour at Loughborough High Level GCRN with Sir Kenneth Grange, HST designer and 125 Group Hon President, in the driving cab, 17Nov2018. ©125 Group

Saturday HST Valenta Action

41001 with 47765 at Ruddington GCRN ©125 Group

This Saturday 27th August sees Prototype HST Power Car 41001 and 125 Group’s matching Mk3 coaches back out working passenger services at home base Great Central Railway (Nottingham). 41001 will be operating public trains for the first time with the power car facing north on the GCR(N) mainline.

The ‘Yellow Timetable’ will be in operation with departures from Ruddington (sat-nav postcode NG11 6JS) at 1030, 1215, 1400 and 1545, Scotrail liveried 47765 is planned to be the locomotive on the south end of the set. Join us and experience the marvellous screaming Valenta climbing all the way from Loughborough to Barnstone Tunnel on the former Great Central mainline!

Hot bacon baps, burgers, hot and cold drinks plus alcoholic beverages including bottled ale will be available from Buffet 125 on-board the train, along with our 125 Group Sales Stand – buy your HST 40YEAR badges and mugs here. For information about tickets and how to get to GRC(N), view their website www.gcrn.co.uk.