The 125 Group and Great Central Railway (Nottingham) Ltd (GCRN), are pleased to announce that agreement has been reached for the 125 Group, as custodians of the National Railway Museum’s Prototype High Speed Train (HST) Power Car No 41001, to continue restoration of the power car to operation at GCRN.
GCRN’s engineering and operational capability were both significant factors in the 125 Group selecting the railway as their future base of operations. The close proximity of Brush Traction (responsible for electrical apparatus in the prototype HST), and the future developments that will see GCRN and GCR link to form an 18-mile railway within the next five years were also important and will provide opportunity for the prototype for many years to come.
Phil Stanway of GCRN said:
“We are proud that we have been selected by the 125 Group and the NRM to host this significant national asset. We have a great relationship with NRM following the visit by “City of Truro” in 2010, and can think of no better follow-up than another locomotive famed for setting speed records. Project Miller have done a sterling job in restoring the prototype HST, and we are excited that they have selected GCRN to complete that work”.
41001 arrived at GCRN from the National Railway Museum (York) on Wednesday 17 September and will be on display throughout October.
Members of the public will be able to look round the power car exterior whilst on display. There will also be the opportunity to view the interior of the power car upon payment of a small donation to help with the restoration.
Gary Heelas of 125 Group said:
“We are extremely excited and enthusiastic about moving 41001 to its new home at the GCRN. The team at the railway have been extremely welcoming and we took the decision to base ourselves there with a long term view; GCRN has everything we were looking for in terms of facilities with the possibility of a substantial running length within the coming few years where 41001 can really get into her stride.”
