HST Charity Railtour – Book Now!

*** UPDATE 23/01/2017 – 1st Class has already SOLD OUT! however Standard Class Seats are still available. ***
*** There will be a full buffet and catering trolley service on board the railtour. BOOK NOW to avoid disappointment! ***

The Branch Line Society in conjunction with Virgin Trains East Coast (VTEC), 125 Group and PLEG is delighted to announce ‘Bound for Craigy’, an exciting HST special celebrating 40 years of the iconic train, raising money for Railway Children.  Travelling from Kings Cross to Edinburgh and return on Saturday 18th March, the nine coach set will be taking an unusual route visiting Bounds Green and Craigentinny depots along the way, covering the Hertford loop and the Blyth and Tyne route for good measure.  To add a little more interest, we pay two visits to Millerhill Yard and cover the Edinburgh Suburban line too, plus many unusual loops along the East Coast Mainline!

This VTEC HST will be powered by one regular Virgin MTU power car and one Paxman VP185 power car, courtesy of East Midlands Trains. Looking for a little more fun?  OK then let’s throw in the use of FOUR Class 08 shunting locomotives to haul our train – two on each depot.  Free Wi-Fi throughout the train?  Of course!  Ok so what about food then – ‘cos it’s going to be a long day!  Well, for Standard Class we will have trolley service throughout the train of drinks and light refreshments or stretch your legs and pop down to the Café Bar for some hot stuff.  First Class?  Well, strap yourself in for a full English breakfast on the way out, a lovely two course light lunch and an amazing three course dinner on the way home with complimentary tea, coffee and soft drinks.  Real ale?  You bet!!

Tickets are available NOW! We hope you can join us on this very special charity railtour, discounted fares are available for 125 Group members and our roving sales stand will also be on-board. All bookings for this train are being handled by the Branch Line Society. Please note tickets are not available from Virgin Trains East Coast or 125 Group. For full details and to buy tickets, download the Branch Line Society booking form HERE.

HST Bound for Mid-Norfolk Railway

Prototype HST hauled by 50008 at Rushcliffe Halt GCRN ready to depart for the Mid-Norfolk Railway, 04/04/2019. Photo © J.Akinin

Prototype High Speed Train Power Car 41001 and 125 Group’s Mk3 coaches are this afternoon travelling from their home base Great Central Railway (Nottingham) bound for the Mid-Norfolk Railway to take part in the Spring Diesel Event this weekend.

The transfer is running with schedule 5Z43 1610 Hotchley Hill (Rushcliffe Halt) – Dereham, running via Barrow-Upon-Soar, Melton Mowbray, Stamford, Peterborough, March, Ely West Jn, Ely North Jn, Thetford, Wymondham, onto the MNR and booked to arrive Dereham at 2027. The convoy is being hauled by English Electric class 50 locomotive 50008, full consist is 50008 + 41001 + 11074 + 12134 + 12092 + 10206. Full live schedule details for the movement can be found courtesy of Realtime Trains 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.

The Mid-Norfolk Railway Spring Diesel Event takes place Friday 5th to Sunday 7th April. The Prototype High Speed Train will work public services over this scenic route alongside other guest locomotives and the Mid-Norfolk Railway resident fleet. We hope you can join us for this exciting event! For more details see the MNR website HERE.