HSTs Head for Bristol

41001 on GCR(N) ‘Mainline’ ©125 Group

High Speed Train power cars of many colours will be departing from all over the UK for Bristol over this weekend, heading for St.Philips Marsh public Open Day on Monday 2nd May.  Prototype 41001 and 125 Group’s Mk3 coaches are also being prepared for the trip from their home base at Ruddington Great Central Railway (Nottingham) to the Great Western Railway.

Tickets are still available for what promises to be a very memorable open day celebrating 40 Years of HSTs. The event is being hosted by Great Western Railway in aid of Springboard Opportunity Group.  For more information and to book tickets CLICK HERE.

This is a summary of the non-passenger convoys planned however please note, as always, this information is provided in good faith but these movements can change at short notice on the day subject to operational constraints, the trains may run early or late or be cancelled. Live schedule links are shown where available courtesy of Realtime Trains.

Saturday 30th April

0750 Craigentinny to Heaton, formed of Virgin Power Car 43300 + Virgin Trailer First 41190 + NMT Power Car 43013. http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K96080/2016/04/30/advanced

1339 Heaton to Etches Park, formed of Virgin Power Car 43300 + NMT Power Car 43013 + Grand Central Power Car 43423 + Virgin Trailer First 41190. http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K96081/2016/04/30/advanced

Sunday 1st May

5Z42 1619 Etches Park to Hotchley Hill (GCRN Rushcliffe Halt), formed of Virgin Power Car 43300 + NMT Power Car 43013 + Grand Central Power Car 43423 + Virgin Trailer First 41190 + East Midlands Trains Power Car 43048. http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K96084/2016/05/01/advanced

Prototype Power Car 41001 + 125 Group Mk3s 12092 + 10206 + 11074 are expected to depart from Ruddington at 1645 heading for Rushcliffe Halt, including a run-round at 50 Steps.

5Z43 1925 Hotchley Hill (GCRN Rushcliffe Halt) to Bristol St.Philips Marsh, formed of Virgin Power Car 43300 + NMT Power Car 43013 + Grand Central Power Car 43423 + Prototype Power Car 41001 + 125 Group Mk3s 12092 + 10206 + 11074 + Virgin Trailer First 41190 + East Midlands Trains Power Car 43048. http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K96085/2016/05/01/advanced

The convoy is planned to return north from Bristol early on Tuesday 3rd May.

HST Ready for Spring Visits

The Prototype High Speed Train Power Car and our matching coaches are ready for their exciting Springtime visits around the UK. 41001 and Mk3s 11074, 10206 and 12092 have been undergoing routine maintenance and examination at their home base of Ruddington on the Great Central Railway (Nottingham) and are ready to go on-tour.

41001 & 125 Group Mk3s GCR(N) 14th Feb 2016 ©John Bagshaw

Mid Norfolk Railway  –  Friday 1st to Sunday 3rd April 2016    The very first away visit for 41001 and matching three coaches is to the MNR Spring Diesel Gala where they will be the stars of this diesel traction packed 3 day event, working passenger services through the beautiful rolling Norfolk countryside between Wymondham Abbey, Dereham and Hoe. Highlights include operation with the MNR’s own Mk3s making a set of 5 similar vehicles, Saturday and Sunday breakfast trains plus on Friday very special calls at the private Hardingham station complete with run-bys passing the splendidly restored signal box – remember to wave to the signalman! ‘Buffet 125’ will be open for refreshments and hot food at selected times. For more details and to purchase tickets check out the MNR website.

Nene Valley Railway  –  Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th April  2016    We are pleased that 41001 and Mk3s are planned to visit the NVR Diesel Gala, operating passenger services between Yarwell, Wansford and Peterborough NV on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th only. This event features a wide range of visiting locomotives, plus hot food and draught ales will be available from the on-board ‘Buffet 125’.  For full information and to buy tickets, see the NVR website.

St.Philips Marsh Open Day  –  Bank Holiday Monday 2nd May 2016    Prototype power car 41001 is the fore-runner of the enormously successful production Inter-City 125 fleet which is now celebrating 40 years in traffic. Great Western Railway are marking this historic milepost by hosting an open day at Bristol St.Philips Marsh depot, featuring a gathering of locomotives and power cars from operators far and wide, plus pioneer 41001 which will be a static exhibit. Very special power car naming and livery unveiling events make this an open day not to be missed! For more information and to purchase tickets see the Open Day website.

The 125 Group Sales Stand will feature on all of the above visits, come along and speak to the team, purchase HST related merchandise and join up as a member (you can do this on-line too). 41001 and the Mk3 coaches should be departing from Ruddington GCR(N) this Thursday 31st March on the first leg of their tour. We will endeavour to provide advance movement gen on this website and 125 Group facebook and twitter.  PLEASE NOTE : All dates and information supplied in good faith, but as always, may be subject to alteration due to operational circumstances. We can not be held responsible for losses resulting from cancellation of operating days or changes to this programme.