The Prototype HST Power Car and 125 Group’s Mk3 coaches have completed a marvellous weekend of passenger running at the Mid-Norfolk Railway Spring Diesel Gala. Thank you to everyone who came along and bought tickets to travel, we hope you enjoyed the event as much as we did. The 125 Group team would like to offer special thanks to all at the Mid-Norfolk Railway for their usual warm welcome.

41001 and the Mk3s are today (Monday 8th April) leaving the MNR bound for home base Great Central Railway (Nottingham). The HST is expected to depart from Dereham at 0930 hauled by 47367 to Wymondham Loop from where 50008 will work the train, running as 5Q41 via Thetford (1139), Ely North Curve, March, Peterborough (1303-1308), Oakham, Syston Jns, Loughborough South Jn to Rushcliffe Halt GCRN (Hotchley Hill) arriving at 1508. The full consist will be 50008 + 10206 + 12092 + 11074 + 12134 + 41001. From Rushcliffe Halt, 47292 is then planned to haul the set to Ruddington GCRN. Full detailed live schedule for the movement can be found HERE.

These are the planned timings, routing and traction, all of which can change at short notice on the day subject to operational constraints, and the train 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 125 Group can not be held liable.

43159 has now joined 125 Group’s operational fleet at Swanwick Junction. On Saturday 5th February our power cars 43089 and 43048  worked from Swanwick to Leicester LIP.  Once they arrived, they were wrapped around a collection of Mk3 loco hauled coaches including a MK3 DVT for onward transfer to Loughborough works on behalf of DATS and UKRL, the latter now working out of the ex-Brush works.  Having deposited the Mk3 vehicles, 43048 and 43089 then worked to LORAM’s facilities at Derby where 43159 was attached to the formation and then hauled back to Swanwick Junction.

43159 is seen nose to nose with 43048 after arrival at Swanwick Junction.

Whilst away, LORAM undertook a number of jobs for 125 Group on 43159, including replacement of not one but four secondary springs, a full TPWS/AWS test as well as an Ultrasonic Axle Test (UAT) which was due.

Now that 43159 has completed this move, 43089 has been temporarily stood down for maintenance until late spring.

Much more detailed information will be provided in the next edition of 125 Group’s One Two Five magazine.