It’s hoped Ruddington’s famous, restored High Speed Train won’t have to spend another winter out in the cold following a huge boost for The 125 Group’s Depot appeal. RailUK Forums has agreed to donate £4,100.01 – bringing the grand total raised to £78,142.96. That’s over three quarters of the way to their target of £100,000 to build a new all-weather facility at Great Central Railway (Nottingham)‘s Heritage Centre, off Mere Way.
As we’ve reported previously, our resident Prototype HST Power Car 41001 and its six Mk3 coaches are currently subject to the ravages of the English weather – and so ideally need a roof to protect them. Additionally, with the prospect of production power cars becoming surplus and available for preservation in the near future, 125 Group launched its HST Depot Appeal last June with the objective of constructing a small depot facility at its Ruddington base where necessary maintenance and restoration work of these historically important vehicles and its existing fleet can be made under cover.
Since its introduction over 40 years ago, the InterCity 125 has been popular with enthusiasts, passengers and railway staff alike and is a frequent topic of conversation. With some of the fleet now destined for withdrawal, public interest in HSTs has grown further, also helped by the work of 125 Group restoring Mk3 coaches and the National Railway Museum’s prototype power car 41001 to working order. These have now become a familiar sight running heritage passenger services between Ruddington and Loughborough High Level via Rushcliffe Halt over the summer – with those journeys set to get even longer once the bridge to link our line with Great Central Railway’s Loughborough to Birstall section is completed.
RailUK Forums spokesman Mike Wooldridge said: “After our busiest and most successful year to date, we are delighted to be able to assist 125 Group by donating our surplus advertising revenue towards the group’s HST Depot Appeal. The InterCity 125 has an important place in railway history, and these trains are a favourite among many of our members. The new depot will provide a facility that will help ensure that people are able to experience the sight and sound of an HST for many years to come.”
Gary Heelas, Chairman of 125 Group Limited said: “It is great to see such an active forum organised such that money is raised by members simply using it. 125 Group is very honoured to have been chosen by RailUK Forums and this gives our HST Depot Appeal yet another massive boost.”
The depot funds should increase further as the famous power car hauls its first passengers of 2019 in Ruddington next month. There’ll be a total of 16 services over two weekends during the school half term – on the 16th. 17th, 23rd and 24th February.
Meantime, The 125 Group says it welcomes private donations and corporate sponsorship for its HST Depot Appeal. Those making donations over £125 will be invited to add their name to a special ‘Donation Wall’ in the new building.
You can get more information via: www.125group.org.uk/depot or by emailing depot@125group.org.uk.
