Buffet 125

Running days in June 2022

Did you miss the chance to ride on our HST during our first operational weekend in April or maybe you just want another chance to ride because you enjoyed it so much? We’re pleased to announce that our friends at Midland Railway – Butterley have invited us to operate again over the weekend of Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th June – so that is what we intend to do!

43048 in service at Midland Railway – Butterley in April 2022 © Andy Wade

Our operations over this weekend will be primarily using First Class Coaches and our record breaking power cars 43159 (the World’s fastest diesel) and 43048 (the first to operate in preservation at 125mph). Timetable & ticket information for the weekend can be found here.

While on board, come and check out Buffet 125 serving refreshments and snacks throughout the day and enjoy your trip in first class comfort as we operate the Railway’s Yellow timetable of six services each day. Shop 125 will also be open with a wide selection from badges to books, DVDs to postcards for you to purchase.

Other site attractions will be available should you break your journey. Why not take the chance to view 43089 at Swanwick Junction and maybe take a ride on the Golden Valley Light Railway?

Please come along and support our operation, meet the team and enjoy our early preservation operations along the beautiful Midland Railway.

125 Group would like to take this opportunity to say how very grateful we are to Midland Railway – Butterley for their continued support in both storing and using our lovely HST.

Mk3s running with 20154 & 31463 at GCRN Weekends 15/16 & 22/23 February 2020

125 Group’s Mk3 coaches will be running passenger trains at Great Central Railway (Nottingham) on Half Term weekends Sat 15th/Sun 16th and Sat 22nd/Sun 23rd February. Rostered traction will be Class 20 locomotive D8154/20154 and Class 31 D5830/31463 working top and tail, subject to availability/confirmation.

Blue Timetable A operates on these dates with departures from Ruddington GCRN station at 1045, 1245 and 1445, all running through to Loughborough High Level, a 90 minute return trip. 125 Group’s sleek, air-conditioned Mk3 coaches provide comfortable seating, perfect for railway enthusiasts and all the family, whatever the weather and feature two vehicles 12087 and 12134 painted in INTERCITY Swallow livery.

After departing from Ruddington, trains reverse at Fifty Steps (no station) then run southbound along the former Great Central Mainline through the scenic Nottinghamshire countryside calling at Rushcliffe Halt station. The route is almost 10 miles long and continues through Barnstone Tunnel to Loughborough High Level, which has no station but affords a great view over the Midland Mainline and looks down into Brush Works, with locomotives for overhaul often visible.

Our traditional ‘Buffet 125’ will be open on-board the train, serving a selection of delicious breakfast baps and other hot foods, cold snacks, hot and cold beverages plus alcoholic drinks including bottled ciders, beers and wine, our volunteers will be pleased to serve you. The 125 Group sales stand will also be on the train with a wide range of HST merchandise available.

Ruddington station (sat-nav postcode NG11 6JS) is the operating base for GCRN with car parking and bus links to Nottingham and Loughborough. More details from GCRN available HERE. 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.