HEADLINE NEWS
The 125 Group’s main line registered power cars and coaches recorded what is thought to be a preservation speed record in mid-February.
125 Group HST sets a preservation record; ‘Staycation Express' ditches loco-hauled for a new-look HST; DRS expected to sell stored locos; New trains planned for Ireland; Clayton to build a Class 18 fleet; TfN submits Northern Powerhouse Rail plan; Ecofret 2s sent to store; Class 730 testing begins; GW open access plans refused; Boost for high-capacity freight.
IN what is believed to be the first time any preserved traction has attained such a speed in Britain, power cars Nos. 43048/43089 reached 125mph on the East Coast Main Line south of Retford on February 19 after collecting newlyacquired coaches from Gascoigne Wood. ROG was the train's main line operator.
The 125 Group recently bought a further two vehicles, Nos. 42120/337, from the former NL03 set and these, along with Nos. 40741, 41067 and 42119 that were acquired towards the end of 2020, were moved to the DATS facility at Rectory Sidings (near Radcliffe, Nottinghamshire) by the group's preserved but main line certified power cars.
Accompanying Nos. 43048/43089 on the trip were Nos. 40730, 41057 and 42111, meaning the entire ‘2+8' consist was made up of 125 Group rolling stock.
Subject to final assessment, one of the recent purchases, TS No. 42120, is expected to be used as a spares donor before being scrapped.
It is planned to move the above set to Ruddington, where TGS No. 44000 and the group's loco-hauled Mk.3a stock is based, once infrastructure work to allow access onto the GCR(N) has been completed. The set, which is available for hire, is likely to be in need of a repaint at some point, with InterCity colours being the likely colour scheme.
■ Three days later, on February 22, the two power cars pair sandwiched a typically eclectic selection of locomotives and coaching stock forming a 5Q61/12.00 Rectory Sidings-Corby DATS test train.