“S508 is also a Paxman Valenta engine, manufactured in 2000 and donated to the NRM by First Great Western during the MTU re-power programme,” says 125 Group Communications Director John Zabernik. “It was formerly in power car 43143. S183 was removed and S508 fitted in its place at Neville Hill depot in June 2012.”
With this initial work complete, 41001 arrived at the GCR(N) in September 2013. The next stage was to restore the vehicle to full operational condition, complete with a new compressor.
Some modern modifications were added in the cab, and then 41001 was ready to run, making its first test run on the GCR on May 31 2014, hauling two BR Mk 2 carriages and with diesel 56097 trailing on behind. It hauled its first passenger train in 38 years on November 15 2014, leading a railtour called ‘The Screaming Valenta’ and accompanied by operational HST power car 43054 and a small set of Mk 3 carriages.
The 125 Group now also has three locomotive-hauled Mk 3 carriages suitable for working with 41001 - First Open (FO) 11074, Standard Open (TSO) 12092 and Restaurant First Modular (RFM) 10206. These had previously been kept in storage and were in fairly decent condition when they arrived at Ruddington. Nevertheless, a significant amount of restoration had to be carried out to resurrect electrical systems, including air-conditioning. This was largely completed by the end of 2015.
The three carriages were then taken to Wabtec Rail’s Kilmarnock facility, where they were repainted in the prototype HST livery to match 41001. The set has since visited a number of locations around the country, including the Mid-Norfolk Railway, the Nene Valley Railway and the Bo’ness and Kinneil Railway.
The group enthusiastically celebrated the 40th anniversary of the HST during 2016, including a visit to the Bristol St Philips Marsh depot open day on May 2, when pioneer production power car 43002 was repainted in the original BR blue and yellow InterCity 125 livery (125 Group assisted with sourcing of the livery drawings).
Great Western HST power cars were joined by examples from other trains alongside Prototype 41001, creating a historic line-up. The event also featured 43002 being officially named Sir Kenneth Grange in honour of the designer of the HST’s nosecone. Sir Kenneth Grange now also serves as the 125 Group’s Honorary President, and performed the naming ceremony himself.
43002 was also fitted with 40 YEARS 1976-2016 commemorative plaques, designed by graphic designer Paul Gentleman from Great Western Railway and made by Newton Replicas. And through a scheme sponsored by 125 Group, additional plaques have been manufactured and now adorn a number of operational Class 43 HST power cars, while another plaque is displayed inside the 125 Group’s catering vehicle at Ruddington (RFM 10206).
According to Zabernik all the train operating companies, as well as Network Rail and leasing companies Porterbrook and Angel Trains, fully supported the scheme. The plaques will be returned to the group upon their eventual removal from the vehicles.
The group also staged a celebratory event on the GCR(N), sponsored by EMT. The event took place on November 19, and raised funds for the Railway Children charity. Prototype power car 41001 operated trains in conjunction with EMT power car 43048 T.C.B. Miller MBE, chosen for the day as it is named after the British Rail Chief Engineer behind the original HST Project. 43048 ran four round trips with its two coaches attached to the 125 Group’s own coaches and 41001 at the other end.
When not running, driving cabs were opened up to visitors, while a cab ride in 41001 was offered as a raffle prize, with funds going to the Railway Children. VIP guests at the event included engineer Ron Whalley, who designed the revolutionary braking system that enabled the HST to stop from 125mph in the same distance as conventional 100mph locomotive-hauled trains, and another retired engineer Greg Lilleker, who led the original commissioning of 41001 (which included a record-breaking run of 143mph).
Tim Shoveller, Managing Director of Stagecoach UK Rail Division, was also present, getting involved in some of the shunting operations during the day.
“Following the 40th year celebrations led by GWR at St Philips Marsh in May and at the National Railway Museum in October, 125 Group and Great Central Railway (Nottingham) wanted to mark this historic year on home territory, so we were delighted that East Midlands Trains agreed to support the event,” says Zabernik.
“The never-seen-before hybrid HST formation successfully operated four return trips between Ruddington and Loughborough High Level, with hundreds of enthusiasts enjoying the sunny day. We were really pleased to support Railway Children, and £1,350 was raised for this excellent charity, which works hard providing protection and opportunity for children at home and abroad.”
125 Group’s long-term aim has always been the preservation of a production HST powered by the original Paxman Valenta engine type, and over the years it has consistently worked towards this objective, raising funds through membership subscriptions, merchandise sales activity, personal donations and a now established monthly donations scheme which is building preservation funds. Although 125 Group is keeping appraised of the developing scene on the network, it has no sights set on any particular numbered vehicles just yet, instead preferring to keep its options open with the hope of adopting the best-condition power cars and coaches whenever they might become available.
“This year 125 Group successfully qualified as a registered charity, which assists further with fundraising - something that was learned with the restoration of 41001 is that railway preservation is eye-wateringly expensive!” says Zabernik.
“During the 2007 HST re-engineering programme, we obtained a good stock of critical components including Valenta power units and Marston Cooler Groups, plus a sizeable collection of spare parts and other smaller components. This, plus the experience gained by 125 Group’s dedicated engineers restoring Prototype 41001 under Project Miller, should hopefully stand us in good stead once vehicles become available.”
Meanwhile, prototype power car 41001 and 125 Group’s three matching Mk 3 coaches will continue to be based at GCR(N), with home operating days plus the occasional away visit in planning stages for 2017.
The 125’s performance on the main line network is indeed entering a new chapter, although it is likely to still be with us in 2026, celebrating 50 years of service. Meanwhile, the 125 Group is intent on ensuring the much-loved HST is long remembered thereafter… and has made a great start in achieving this.
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