GCRN

125 Group AGM – 41001 Blunt End Leading – Special Train for 125 Group Members Only

41001 runs round 125 Group’s Mk3s at Fifty Steps GCR(N) working Empty Coaching Stock ©125 Group

The 125 Group 2016 Annual General Meeting will be held on Saturday 18th June 2016 at the Great Central Railway (Nottingham). The AGM will be held on-board a special private train worked by Prototype Power Car 41001 and our Mk3 coaches. We shall be setting off from Ruddington bound for Rushcliffe Halt, where the meeting will take place in our First Class Mk3 11074, but unlike normal operating days which feature a second loco on the other end of our coaches, 41001 will power the train solo, running round the stock at Fifty Steps in each direction. This will mean some exclusive ‘Blunt End Leading’ haulage from 41001, we believe this will be the first time a power car has ever hauled a passenger train in this way!

THIS TRAIN IS OPEN TO 125 GROUP MEMBERS ONLY. There is no charge for passage and no need to make a reservation. You must bring your 125 Group membership card or quote your membership details with identification if you have recently renewed your membership and don’t yet have your new membership card. Not a member of 125 Group? Join by midnight the end of Friday 17th June and you will be welcome on-board the special. You can join up on-line HERE. Annual membership costs £17 and includes four issues of our members only magazine ‘One Two Five’. We encourage you to sign up to our direct debit scheme to build our preservation fund, a monthly donation from £5 includes free membership.

The 125 Group AGM Special will depart from Ruddington at 1135 sharp. The meeting will take place once we are at Rushcliffe Halt between 1230 and 1415, members are welcome to turn up there if they are unable to make the journey start from Ruddington. After running round and photographs, we will be departing from Rushcliffe Halt at around 1520 and expect to arrive back at Ruddington at 1555. See the GCR(N) Website for more information on how to get to the line.

‘Buffet 125’ will be open on-board our Mk3 coach 10206 selling burgers, snacks and alcoholic drinks including bottled beer, we will also be offering a complimentary hot drink or water. The 125 Group Sales Stand will be open on the train, selling HST 40 Year Anniversary merchandise including mugs, badges and commemorative souvenir programmes from the recent Bristol St.Philips Marsh HST open day.

HST Prototype High Mileage Day

HST Driver’s View on the Great Central Mainline looking south from GCR(N) Fifty Steps – Next stop Marylebone! ©125 Group

Prototype High Speed Train Power Car 41001 and 125 Group’s matching Mk3 coaches are back in action this Saturday 11th June on the Great Central Railway (Nottingham) taking part in a 100 mile running day with a special timetable in operation. Services will depart from Ruddington station (sat-nav postcode NG11 6JS) at 0900, 1045, 1215, 1345, 1515 and 1645(this train to Rushcliffe Halt and back only). Trains will operate top ‘n’ tail with 41001 providing traction when going southbound and Brush Type 4 locomotive 47292 doing the work northbound, giving over 50 miles haulage from each and more than 100 miles for the whole day. Tickets are available to buy on the day or in advance on-line from the GCR(N) Website which has more details and the full timetable.

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 Brush Locomotive Works with class 73s and 92s often visible. ‘Buffet 125’ on-board our Mk3 coach 10206 will be serving hot bacon rolls and burgers, hot and cold beverages plus alcoholic drinks including bottled beer. The 125 Group Sales Stand will also be open on the train, selling HST 40 Year Anniversary merchandise including mugs, badges and commemorative souvenir programmes from the recent Bristol St.Philips Marsh HST open day.