A charity is aiming to raise £100,000 to build a new diesel maintenance depot to house the prototype High Speed Train Power Car 41001 and six Mk3 coaches. The 125 Group needs donations to achieve its long-term goal to construct the building at Ruddington’s Great Central Railway (Nottingham).
The depot will provide a secure, all weather, facility to enable the 125 Group to continue maintenance of its existing fleet and a restoration home for the Production HST power cars which the charity aims to acquire in the future. The 125 Group said: “We welcome donations for our depot which we hope will become the UK recognised site of High Speed Train (HST) preservation as a working UK base. To allow the development to proceed, we seek donations from individuals and corporate sponsors for this exciting project!“
Donations over £125 will be invited to add their name to a special ‘Donation Wall’ in the new HST depot. For more information and to make a donation to the 125 Group Depot Appeal click >>HERE<<.
The charity said its first ‘sizeable donation’ has come from an asset management business. Chairman of 125 Group Gary Heelas said he was pleased that Porterbrook has kicked off the appeal:
“We have a long way to go but the provision of this covered space will allow us to maintain and store the vehicles in a dry and relatively clean environment. It will also mean that the hours of free time given by our volunteers will be far more productive, with everything required being in one place.“
125 Group Ltd was formed by a group of enthusiasts in 1994 with the long term goal of preserving an InterCity 125 powered by the original Valenta engine. The charity even has HST designer Sir Kenneth Grange as its Honorary President.
Since 2014 ‘The Screaming Valenta’s’ popular train rides have become a regular fixture in Ruddington – taking passengers on return trips from the Heritage Centre to Loughborough Junction.
