125 Group

Ride the Prototype HST Saturday 29th July

Prototype HST reduces speed for the station call at Rushcliffe Halt GCRN ©125 Group

Prototype High Speed Train Power Car 41001 and 125 Group’s matching Mk3 coaches will be working passenger trains at Great Central Railway (Nottingham) on Saturday 29th July. Services will depart from Ruddington station (sat-nav postcode NG11 6JS) at 1100, 1300, 1500 running to Loughborough Viaduct and back, plus a bonus train at 1650 to Rushcliffe Halt and return. The preserved HST will operate top ‘n’ tail with 41001 at the north end of the Mk3 coaches and ‘Crompton’ locomotive 33035 coupled to a Mk2a open coach at the south end. Tickets are available to buy on-board the train on the day, or in advance on-line from www.gcrn.co.uk which has further information.

The GCR(N) route is just under 10 miles long, after departing Ruddington trains reverse at Fifty Steps then run southbound calling at Rushcliffe Halt station, continuing through the scenic Nottinghamshire countryside to Loughborough Viaduct, which has no station but affords a great view over the Midland Mainline and looks down into Brush Locomotive Works, with class 73s, 92s and 319s often visible. Ruddington station is the base for GCR(N) with many heritage transport exhibits, and regular bus links to Nottingham mainline station, Rushcliffe Country Park is also nearby. This weekend is the GCR(N) Model Rail Show and the miniature railway will also be giving rides.

‘Buffet 125’ will be open on-board our Mk3 coach 10206, selling hot dogs, bacon and sausage baps, hot and cold beverages plus alcoholic drinks including bottled beer, our volunteers will be pleased to serve you. The 125 Group sales stand will also be on the train, with our latest range of merchandise available. We hope you can join us for a summer’s day out with 41001 and its original screaming Paxman Valenta engine!

Special Saturday service to celebrate relationship between East Midlands Trains and Railway Children

East Midlands Trains HST at York – Copyright 125 Group

Rail partners aiming to raise £30,000 for Railway Children charity with special train service on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR)

Staff and volunteers from East Midlands Trains, North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR), Railway Children, the 125 Group and Branch Line Society will be out in force on Saturday 15 July
The special service will start at Derby and call at Chesterfield, Sheffield, York, Pickering and Whitby

East Midlands Trains is putting on a special train on Saturday 15 July to raise funds for the Railway Children charity.

The special service will run from Derby via Chesterfield, Sheffield and York on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) from Grosmont to picturesque Pickering then onward to Whitby. It is believed that this will be the first time in Pickering’s history that a high speed train has visited.

The route will take in stunning scenery across Derbyshire and Yorkshire where films such as Harry Potter and famous television shows like Heartbeat have been filmed. Once on the NYMR, there will be a special rededication naming ceremony to mark the decade-long relationship between East Midlands Trains and Railway Children.

Jake Kelly, Managing Director for East Midlands Trains, said: “Everyone is really looking forward to the day itself and raising money for such a good cause.

“We’ve been working very hard with our operations partner Direct Rail Services to make sure everything goes smoothly on the day and we’ve had fantastic support from the 125 Group, Railway Children and Branch Line Society.”

Chris Price, General Manager of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, said: “We are really looking forward to the visit of the high speed train, although we run a wide range of locomotives ourselves, it does make a change to welcome two stunning class 43’s to our heritage line.

“Passengers will have the unique opportunity to experience the North York Moors National Park from the high speed train service.”

To purchase tickets for the event from the Branch Line Society, visit www.goo.gl/JuhEgJ

For East Midlands Trains press release visit HERE.