The East Midlands Trains Inter-City 125 VIP Cab-Ride charity auction closed today with a winning bid of £2,000! Massive congratulations to Philip the successful bidder and to ‘Samaritans’ who will be receiving this very useful charitable donation, helping their valuable work, check out their website HERE. Sincere thanks to everyone who has taken part, and to East Midlands Trains for making the wonderful prize available!
125 Group is delighted to promote these two East Midlands Trains charity silent auctions, with fantastic prizes!
CHARITY SILENT AUCTION – ITEM 1
An accompanied VIP footplate ride experience for two people on an East Midlands Trains HST. All money raised going to ‘Samaritans’. **Minimum reserve £400**
As an exclusive offer for 125 Group members, East Midlands Trains are offering the opportunity for a lucky bidder to experience the wonders of a VP185 powered High Speed Train footplate experience in exchange for a charitable donation to Samaritans; an amazing charity that works closely with the rail industry to provide training for rail industry employees to aid them in identifying and helping vulnerable members of the public.
The winning bidder and a friend/relative will be accompanied by the East Midlands Trains Head of Drivers who will act as your guide for the day whilst you enjoy a drivers eye experience in the cab a production HST at speeds up to 125mph. This is a rare treat that normally falls into a ‘Money can’t buy’ category… but for you it can, and comes with an added charitable feel-good factor! How much is this once in a lifetime opportunity worth to you? Or maybe you would like to win this as the ultimate present for a friend? Surely this is an opportunity not to miss?!
A mutually agreeable date will be formalised with the winning bidder, as will the format for the day regarding start time/location and services to be covered. Examples of previous charity footplate rides have involved a full return trip along the amazing Midland Mainline between Nottingham and London, but we will make this bespoke for you.
Bids should be submitted by email to darren.ward@eastmidlandstrains.co.uk stating ‘125 Group footplate ride’ in the header. The body of the email need only state the amount of the bid, contact details (Name, email, phone number) and 125 Group Membership Number. Anybody submitting a bid must be over 18 and have the funds available to pay into a ‘Just Giving’ site at the close of the auction. Children aged 8 and over are eligible to participate in the footplate ride, however they must be well behaved and accompanied by an adult friend/relative. Full details of requirements for the day will be explained in more detail prior to the event.
The highest bid as of 12.00 Friday 2 June will be the winner. Contact will be made directly with the winner via the details provided. Details of the day out will also be shared in a future issue of 125 Group members magazine ‘One Two Five’. Not a member of 125 Group, or has your membership expired? You can join up or renew on this website, it takes just a few steps, start by clicking HERE.
CHARITY SILENT AUCTION – ITEM 2
A genuine ‘Railway Children – The Voice for street children worldwide’ nameplate, carried by 43082 since 13 September 2009. All money raised going to ‘Railway Children’. **Minimum reserve £500**
This auction is open to all. 43082 was originally named ‘Railway Children – The Voice for street children worldwide’ during the Neville Hill open day on 13 September 2009. It has since been one of East Midlands Trains most travelled power cars, having visited Dereham as part of the ‘MidNorfolk Marauder’ railtour, Oxenhope as part of the ‘Worth Valley Wanderer’ railtour, and was on show at GCR-N Ruddington for the 40 year celebrations last November. In fact its association with one of the rail industry’s most loved charities means it is one of the most requested power cars for tours and events, and the attractive nameplate design has been admired by many.
In recognition of our continued relationship with the Railway Children charity, we have agreed to have some new names cast with the revised charity strap-line ‘Railway Children – Fighting for street children’ . This means we have to find a new home for the battle-worn originals, and one of these is on offer via this silent auction.
The winning bidder will be presented with the nameplate and a letter from East Midlands Trains confirming authenticity and ownership. We will also provide electronic copies of official photographs show-casing some of 43082s highlights whilst bearing the plate on offer. Bids should be submitted by email to darren.ward@eastmidlandstrains.co.uk stating ‘125Group 43082 nameplate’ in the header. The body of the email need only state the amount of the bid and contact details (Name, email, phone number). Anybody submitting a bid must be over 18 and have the funds available to pay into a ‘Just Giving’ site at the point of the close of the auction. Arrangements will need to be made for the winner to collect the nameplate from an East Midlands Trains location, or be willing to pay an additional cost for delivery (Please note that this is a weighty item!)
The highest bid as of 17.00 Saturday 15th July will be the winner. Contact will be made directly with the winner via the details provided in the email.
So what’s stopping you … ? Get bidding! Thanks for your support!