Bonnie Bo’ness

Prototype HST 41001 at Bo’ness ©125 Group

Prototype Power Car 41001 and 125 Group’s matching Mk3 coaches are headlining the Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway Summer Diesel Gala this weekend. The historic High Speed Train has been entertaining the enthusiasts for the past two days hauling passenger trains from Bo’ness up the stiff climb to Manuel.

Tomorrow Sunday 24th July is the last day of the gala and the Prototype HST is now planned to work the 1220, 1545 and 1900 departures from Bo’ness with our Valenta Power Car leading and hauling the these trains solo to Manuel. Note the 1220 is a new confirmed addition. For details about the B&KR click HERE, we hope you can join us for a trip on the splendid railway behind 41001.

On Monday 25th July 41001 and our Mk3 coaches 11074, 10206 and 12092 will start their homeward journey south, hauled by locomotives 20205 + 20189. The transit is expected to depart from Bo’ness Junction Exchange Siding at approx 0830 bound for York, with onward movement to Ruddington GCRN on Tuesday. More details will be posted here when available.

Valenta Returns to Scotland!

41001 Crossing the Border 21st July 2016 ©125 Group

Prototype Power Car 41001 is now in Scotland, its first visit in preservation, together with 125 Group’s matching Mk3 coaches passed over the border on the ECML at Marshall Meadows at 1801 this evening. The historic HST is heading for the Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway where it will be starring in their Summer Diesel Gala this weekend. The transit is running under schedule 5S20 12+14 York Holgate Sidings – Bo’ness Junction Exchange Siding hauled by superb locomotives 20189 + 20205. Follow progress courtesy of Realtime Trains here: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K91057/2016/07/21/advanced.

At the time of posting (2030 Thu) the convoy is running 76 minutes early passing Polmont, having been routed via Edinburgh Waverley station instead of the planned Suburban line. The train is expected to run through to Cadder Loop as booked, we can not be sure if the early running will be maintained or not.  Once at Bo’ness Junction Exchange Siding, the Class 20s will propel the train down the link line and are then expected to haul the HST to Bo’ness itself.

Join us at the B&KR Summer Diesel Gala this weekend and experience 41001’s fantastic Paxman Valenta engine, the screaming type originally fitted to all Inter-City 125s. The HST will be working passenger trains on all three days Friday 22nd, Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th July. More information, including ticket prices and a link to the special timetable and LOCOMOTIVE ROSTERS are available at the B&KR website HERE.