125 Group – RUDDINGTON.info

New High Speed Trains for Ruddington!

15th October 201918th October 2019 Graham Wright

The 125 Group has announced that two very special diesel trains will soon be joining the fleet of heritage locomotives here in Ruddington. It’s revealed two former Midland Mainline power cars will be coming to GCRN – Great Central Railway (Nottingham) on a permanent basis thanks to leasing company Porterbrook. Production Inter-City 125 high speed trains 43048 (pictured above) and 43089 owned by Porterbrook (currently operated by East Midlands Railway) will BOTH be handed over at the end of their careers in front line service. They’ll then be based here and begin running passenger trips…

Ruddington Rail Depot Appeal Boost

28th January 201928th January 2019 Graham Wright

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…

Heritage Railway Fundraising Milestones Reached

23rd September 201825th September 2018 Graham Wright

It’s just over a year since we reported an historic moment for The Great Central Railway – when a new bridge rejoining two sections of the line divided for almost half a century was lowered into place. This structure (right) bridges the gap over the Midland Mainline. However, in order for trains to begin running all the way from Ruddington to Birstall again, there is still much work to be done. That includes repairing the existing canal bridge at Loughborough (GCR’s top photo) for which a fundraising milestone has just…

The Screaming Valenta Needs a Roof!

22nd June 201822nd June 2018 Graham Wright

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…