125 Group

Prototype HST to Headline K&WVR Gala

We are delighted to announce, with thanks to the National Railway Museum, that Prototype HST Power Car 41001 will headline the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway Diesel & Mixed Traffic Gala, Friday 3rd to Bank Holiday Monday 6th May. The unique locomotive will work public services between Keighley and Oxenhope, hauling five of 125 Group’s Mk3 coaches, recreating the look of the Prototype High Speed Train. The Gala will also feature other guest locomotives and the K&WVR resident fleet, for more details see the K&WVR website HERE.

The Prototype HST was built in 1972 and during testing between York and Darlington in 1973 smashed the UK rail and world diesel speed record reaching 143.2mph. It was the fore-runner to the hugely successful InterCity 125 Production HST fleet which revolutionised long distance UK rail travel. 41001 is part of the National Collection, restoration was funded and carried out by 125 Group under the ‘Project Miller’ banner after the power car had spent over 25 years as a static exhibit at York NRM. The power car is fitted with a ‘screaming’ Paxman Valenta engine of the type which originally powered all HSTs.

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.

RailUK Forums Boosts HST Depot Appeal

125 Group’s Depot appeal has been given a huge boost after a receiving a sizeable donation from an online railway forum. RailUK Forums has agreed to donate £4,100.01, bringing the total raised to £78,142.96, over ¾ of the way towards the target of £100,000.

125 Group, the High Speed Train preservation society and registered charity based at Great Central Railway (Nottingham), requires £100,000 for the development which will protect its InterCity 125 HST rolling stock from the ravages of the English weather.

RailUK Forums – www.railforums.co.uk – was founded in 2005 and has grown to be one of the largest internet railway forums in the country, members discuss on-line a wide spectrum of interests relating to railways as well as other forms of transport.

Since its introduction over 40 years ago, the InterCity 125 has been popular with enthusiasts, passengers and railway staff alike and is a frequent topic of conversation. With some of the fleet now destined for withdrawal, interest in HSTs has grown further, also helped by the work of 125 Group restoring Mk3 coaches and the National Railway Museum’s prototype power car 41001 to working order.

With the prospect of production power cars becoming surplus and available for preservation in the near future, 125 Group launched its HST Depot Appeal in June with the objective of constructing a small depot facility at its Ruddington base at Great Central Railway (Nottingham), where necessary maintenance and restoration work of these important vehicles and its existing fleet can be made under cover.

RailUK Forums spokesman Mike Wooldridge said “After our busiest and most successful year to date, we are delighted to be able to assist 125 Group by donating our surplus advertising revenue towards the group’s HST Depot Appeal. The InterCity 125 has an important place in railway history, and these trains are a favourite among many of our members. The new depot will provide a facility that will help ensure that people are able to experience the sight and sound of an HST for many years to come.”

Gary Heelas, Chairman of 125 Group Limited said “It is great to see such an active forum organised such that money is raised by members simply using it. 125 Group is very honoured to have been chosen by RailUK Forums and this gives our HST Depot Appeal yet another massive boost.”

125 Group welcomes private donations and corporate sponsorship for our HST Depot Appeal.
More information available: www.125group.org.uk/depot
To discuss corporate sponsorship please contact: depot@125group.org.uk