43002

Sir Kenneth Grange heading for York NRM

Sir Kenneth Grange with 43002 ©125 Group

125 Group is delighted to announce that our Honorary President Sir Kenneth Grange, distinguished industrial designer of the High Speed Train nosecone, will be VIP guest at a special public ceremony at York National Railway Museum on Sunday 2nd October to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the introduction of the Inter-City 125 High Speed Train on British Rail back in 1976.

Sir Kenneth will be joined by his namesake original Inter-City 125 liveried power car 43002 plus on show for the first time will be 43185 unveiled in INTERCITY Swallow livery. The power cars will be on display at the NRM for the whole day, the celebration event will commence at 12:30pm until 3pm, where the public will be able to learn about the history of the HST and have a chance to hear first-hand Sir Kenneth’s experiences when designing what is widely considered the most successful British train ever. Entry to York NRM is free, more details HERE.

125 Group is very pleased to contribute to this year’s HST40 events, including assisting GWR with livery diagrams for both power cars, sponsoring the 43002 ‘Sir Kenneth Grange’ nameplates and sourcing the pair of original HST steel swallows which have been fitted to 43185, look out for more exciting HST40 news over the weekend. Official HST40 merchandise including stylish ’40YEARS’ badges, as worn by 43002 and friends, are available to buy on the 125 Group website HERE, with all proceeds going towards our preservation efforts.

43185 at Paddington 16th June 1995 ©125 Group

Great Western Railway’s 43002 and 43185 will be making the special trip from the West Country to York for the event. They are expected to run back to back, under their own power, departing from Plymouth Laira depot early on Friday with schedule 0242 Laira to York NRM via Exeter St.Davids, Bridgwater, Bristol Temple Meads 05/19, Cheltenham Spa 06/18, Bromsgrove, Bordesley Jn, Tamworth, Derby 0858-0929, Chesterfield, Beighton Jn, Swinton 10/52, Pontefract Baghill, Milford 1121-1155, York station 12/20, arriving at York NRM at 1233. Full live schedule courtesy of Realtime Trains here: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/R41173/2016/09/30/advanced

The power cars are booked to return from York back to GWR territory departing Sunday evening running with schedule 2000 York NRM to Bristol St.Philips Marsh depot, however this transit is expected to run very early. http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/R41180/2016/10/02/advanced

Celebrating 40 Years of 125mph Operation

125 Group Chairman Gary Heelas and Chef Leanne Cooke in RFM 10206. ©125 Group

125 Group was pleased to support Great Western Railway in May, by providing its Prototype High Speed Train for the successful charity open day at Bristol St.Philips Marsh depot and by sponsoring the naming of GWR power car 43002 ‘Sir Kenneth Grange’ after designer of the famous nosecone, and now Honorary President of 125 Group. The power car was beautifully restored to original livery and adorned with ‘40 YEARS 1976/2016’ Plaques.

To continue the celebration of 40 years of the iconic HST, and with the further co-operation of GWR, 125 Group is pleased to unveil the same design of 40th Anniversary Plaque on its own Prototype HST operating on the Great Central Railway (Nottingham) based at Ruddington. The plaque will be mounted and displayed inside 125 Group’s Mk3 Restaurant Buffet Car 10206, formerly HST catering vehicle 40507, which provides tasty hot food to travellers behind 41001.

125 Group is also set to work with other current HST operators and owners, to enable the display of further plaques celebrating HST40. Keep your eyes peeled for more plaques soon! #HST40

We would like to acknowledge the efforts and support of Paul Gentleman, Great Western Railway, Newton Replicas and Porterbrook in producing these plaques.

Media enquiries: media@125group.org.uk