Prototype HST & 47292 Sunday at GCRN

This coming Sunday 17th June why not join us for our next running day with Prototype High Speed Train Power Car 41001 and 125 Group’s matching Mk3 coaches, stars of the recent Channel 5 TV Documentary ‘Intercity 125 – The Train That Saved Britain’s Railway’.  The iconic HST will be working passenger trains at Great Central Railway (Nottingham) with services departing from Ruddington station at 1030, 1215, 1400 and 1545 running to Loughborough Viaduct and back under the Yellow Timetable.

The GCR(N) route is just under 10 miles long, after departing from Ruddington trains reverse at Fifty Steps (no station) 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 43s, 73s, 92s and 319s often visible. 41001 will be at the south end of the train operating ‘top and tail’ with Brush Type 4, 47292 at the north end, as always subject to availability.

On all services ‘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. We hope you can join us!

Ruddington station (sat-nav postcode NG11 6JS) is the base for GCR(N) with many heritage transport exhibits, miniature and model railways, car parking and bus links to Nottingham and Loughborough. Tickets available to buy at the station, for more details see www.gcrn.co.uk

Preservation update and Christmas sales

Since our last update, Work has begun on fitting a trial toilet tank to trailer car 42111. We hope that this will be a prelude to fleet wide fitment, thus opening up opportunities to take our set out onto the mainline with passengers. Whilst it has been great to have some running days during 2022 thanks to our friends at Midland Railway – Butterley, the chance for a main-line passenger carrying trip in 2023 will hopefully come to fruition.

The remainder of this year will focus on raising revenue for these essential modifications – and there is no better way than to get some Christmas goodies from our on-line shop.

Our Christmas card packs and calendars are ready to send out and if you really want something a bit more for Christmas, we have our own fabulous books available (125 The Enduring Icon and The InterCity 125 Owner’s Manual), together with a selection of HST DVDs, our range of Swallow and Executive merchandise or our excellent pen and pencil sets. All of these are available via our online shop. Please consider supporting us as we work towards getting our HST out on the mainline and enjoy your Christmas.