125 Group is very pleased to announce we have completed purchase of three additional Mk3 locomotive-hauled coaches. The vehicles were previously owned by Direct Rail Services and had been in storage at Barrow Hill. All three are Tourist Standard Open (TSO) AC2G type, individual vehicles numbers are 12065 (‘one’ base livery with National Express branding), 12087 and 12134 (both in unbranded Virgin livery). The coaches will be based at Great Central Railway Nottingham and restored by 125 Group volunteers, using skills and experience gained with our existing fleet.
The coaches have all now arrived at Ruddington following road transfer from Barrow Hill, courtesy of Reid Freight Services. They will join the air-braked fleet at GCRN and supplement our existing three Mk3s 11074, 10206 and 12092, making possible a longer train powered by Prototype HST Power Car 41001. The additional coaches will also provide reserve and spares cover enabling individual vehicles to be stood down for maintenance. We are excited about these new acquisitions which will enable 125 Group to expand operations ahead of our ultimate goal of preserving a Production High Speed Train.