125 Group Undergoes Locomotive Change
By Patrick Webb
Nottingham, UK. Controversy has hit the UK preservation community, as a negotiation failure between the National Railway Museum and 125 group has become public.
Founded in 1994 as a news source on the Intercity 125’s, the 125 group’s goals are to provide news on the famous British High Speed Trains (HSTs) via their magazine and ultimately preserve some examples of IC engines and rollingstock, according to their website. John Zabernik, a 125 Group Trustee, said that preserving a 125 power car was always a long time goal.
The HSTs were introduced into service in 1976, according to the 125 Group’s website, to provide England with modern passenger service. The class, officially the BR Class 43, but better known as the Intercity 125’s, according to the Locomotive Wiki, were an instant success, which BR needed after the failure of the prototype Advanced Passenger Train. In 2011, according to Mr. Zabernik, all mainline HST’s were “re-engineering including fitment of newer VP185 and MTU engines,” extending their work lives.
The BR Class 41s, the Class 43’s prototypes, were built in 1972 at Crewe Locomotive Works, according to the 125 group, numbered No. 41001 and 41002. On June 12th, 1973, the 41s reached 143.2 mph, setting the diesel locomotive world speed record. This would not be surpassed until November 1st, 1987, when 43159 and 43104 reached 148.5 mph on a special train.
The Class 43’s worked all over the English rail network, 95 sets (or 190 individual locomotives) were built from 1975—1982. Working well in the 21st Century, the Class 43’s time in service is slowly coming to an end. The replacement is the Japanese designed Class 800 ‘Hitachi,’ according to the BBC. Despite coming to the UK in 2015, the Class 43’s are soldiering on.
In May of 2019, franchise LNER announced they were returning their Class 43’s to their leasing company while they introduced their new Hitachi locomotives, according to Railway Gazette. After an (ironic) 43 years years of service, the end of the Class 43’s is coming.
So far, only a few HST’s have been preserved. The prototype, 41001 was preserved (sibling 41002 was sadly scrapped in 1990). The first Class 43, No. 43002, named Sir Kenneth Grange after a man who helped with the 43’s design, has been preserved and will go into the ownership of the National Railway Museum (NRM), [not to be confused with the United States’ similarly named NRM] according to Rail Magazine on Facebook.
In 2011, The NRM leased 41001 to the 125 Group, who restored the engine to operation. Mr. Zabernik explained that in 2011, the NRM was keen to engage with diesel preservationists. 41001 was based at the preserved Great Central Railway (Nottingham) running with the 125 Group’s collection of preserved HST coaches. The 125 Group volunteers funded the restoration with thanks to “crucial [support] by companies in the railway industry,” Mr. Zapernik said, adding that the NRM did not donate towards the restoration.
“Project Miller,” the name of 41001’s restoration, named after Terry Miller, the BR Chief Engineer behind the HST’s, included “engine change and alternator swap, complete electrical rewire, design and installation of new engine control and auxiliary power systems, brake system overhaul, plus a professional repaint of the vehicle,” according to Mr. Zabernik. 41001’s restoration was finished in 2014, and she first ran under a special railtour called The Screaming Valenta, “the first time the power car had worked in 32 years,” Mr. Zabernik explained.
In 2019, the original lease ended and came up for renegotiation. Unfortunately, the 125 Group announced on October 9th, 2019, that the NRM and 125 Group were unable to negotiate a new lease and that 41001 will be returning to the NRM this November.
The controversy began with an announcement the NRM released on their Twitter on October 10, in response to several questions. The NRM stated the decision to end the agreement was “not taken lightly,” and accused the 125 Group of failing to “ensure the security and safety of the power car, refusal to give museum representatives access to the vehicle when requested and unprofessional conduct.” The statement concluded by thanking the 125 Group “for their efforts over several years.”
The 125 Group responded to the NRM’s statement on Twitter, stating the relationship until this point had been positive, and expressing regret at being unable to renegotiate. “The Trustees of 125 Group are shocked by the recent SMG/NRM statement and do not recognise the accusations made that it has been negligent in it’s custodianship of 41001,” the 125 Group said on Twitter, adding the NRM had not told them in advance how they breached their agreement. The 125 Group publicly announced they will work to redeliver 41001 to the NRM, per their agreement.
The NRM has several pieces of their collection which are loaned to heritage railways and museums around the UK, according to the NRM’s rail vehicle strategy document, which you can read here: www.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/op-rail-vehicle-strategy-2019_FINAL.pdf
Simon Baylis, the NRM’s PR and Communications Manager, offered more details into the NRM’s future plans for 41001. Mr. Baylis explained that 41001 will go on display at Locomotion, the NRM’s sister site in Shildon, for the short term. “One benefit of this is that people will be able to see the APT-E and HST prototype together for the first time in many years,” Mr. Baylis explained.
Mr. Baylis explained that the NRM is not ruling out running 41001, but do not have any public plans for operating 41001. “We appreciate this will disappoint some people,” Mr. Baylis said, “but we made the decision not to sign a new loan agreement for a number of reasons, which were set out in our recent statement. These include repeated and serious breaches of the existing loan agreement.”
The transportation plans for 41001 have not been decided upon yet. Mr. Baylis explained that 41001’s transportation will be decided upon “closer to the time, but could be by either road or rail.”
Following the end of 41001’s lease agreement, came a surprise to rail enthusiasts. On Friday, October 11th, the 125 group announced that Porterbrook have donated two Class 43’s to them. Porterbrook, a rail equipment leasing company, released more information on the donation on October 14, 2019.
The to be donated HSTs, No. 43048 and 43089, are described by Porterbook as “celebrities.” No. 43048 was named “TCB Miller MBE” after “former BR Chief Engineer (Traction and Rollingstock) Terry Miller,” who helped with the integration of the Intercity 125 program. No. 43089 “Hayabusa,” became famous in 2007 when she was used to power Europe’s “first hybrid high speed train… fitted with a Hitachi battery-assisted diesel-electric traction drive, [and] used to power Network Rail’s innovative New Measurement Train, which plays a key role in assuring the safety of Britain’s railway,” according to a statement released on Porterbrook’s website.
Stephen McGurk, Porterbrook’s Chief Commercial Officer, stated Porterbrook was “delighted” to continue their relationship with the 125 Group. Mr. McGurk stated that “TCB Miller MBE” and “Hayabusha” represent “the very best of British rolling stock and it is right that they should be given a new home that secures their long term future.” Mr. McGurk also noted “We are particularly pleased that these two production power cars will be able to replace the prototype that is returning to the NRM.”
The two HST’s are currently being operated in service under the East Midland Railways and will be donated to the 125 Group when they “complete their mainline service in early 2020,” according to Porterbrook’s announcement.
Mr. Zabernik, when asked about 43048 and 43049, said “125 Group is extremely grateful to Porterbrook for their generous donation and great showing of support and confidence. The leasing company had previously donated Mk3 Coach 44000, the first built Trailer Guards Standard vehicle.” Porterbrook also recently donated another Mk3 Coach to the newbuild group the Ivatt Diesel Re-Creation Society, according to the Society’s newest update.
When will No. 43048 and 43089 go to the 125 Group? Mr. Zabernik explained that no date has been set for the transfer, “however it is envisaged they will be based at Ruddington and operate with 125 Group’s growing fleet of Mk3 coaches.” Once they come into 125 Group ownership, either No. 43048 or 43049 will be restored to their original Paxman Valenta set up. “Subject to timing and condition of the power cars at hand-over, 125 Group will endeavour to keep these vehicles mainline registered, as ever, 125 Group members will be the first to find out,” Mr. Zapernik concluded.
The 125 Group are currently working to raise £100,000, approximately $126,000 US, to build a new diesel depot on the Great Central Railway (Nottingham) to help maintain their fleet of Mk 3 coaches and their newly acquired HSTs. As of the date of writing, the 125 Group have raised £84,976.40 or $107,003.98 US. Anyone who donates £125 or more will have their names added to their donation wall which will reside in the HST Depot. Anyone who wishes to donate can go here: www.125group.org.uk/depot
Mr. Zabernik, in conclusion, encouraged anyone interested to become members and volunteers to support their preservation efforts. Members receive the exclusive magazine “One Two Five,” and can join at www.125group.org.uk.
Special Thanks to Mr. Simon Baylis and Mr. John Zabernik for their responses.
Sources:
“41001 — Prototype HST Powercar.” 125 Group. https://www.125group.org.uk/our-fleet/41001-prototype-hst-powercar/
“About.” 125 Group. www.125group.org.uk/about-125-group
Baylis, Simon. Personal Interview. 18 October, 2019.
“British Rail Class 43.” https://locomotive.fandom.com/wiki/British_Rail_Class_43
Castella, de Tom. “Intercity 125 v Hitachi: What are the UK’s New Trains Like?” BBC. 12
March, 2015. www.bbc.com/news/magazine-31831603
“Depot.” 125 Group. www.125group.org.uk/depot
“Happy 90th Birthday Sir Kenneth.” 125 Group. 17th July, 2019. www.125group.org.uk/tag/43002/
“Historic HST Power Cars Donated to 125 Group.” Porterbrook. 14 October, 2019. www.porterbrook.co.uk/news/historic-hst-power-cars-donated-to-125-group
“LNER launches Hitachi Azuma trainsets.” Railway Gazette. N. A. 14 May, 2019.
National Railway Museum. Twitter. 10 October, 2019. https://twitter.com/railwaymuseum/status/1182298778675679232
“Operational Rail Vehicle Strategy 2019-2034.” Science Museum Group/National Railway Museum. March, 2019. www.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/op-rail-vehicle-strategy-2019_FINAL.pdf
“Our Aims.” 125 Group. www.125group.org.uk/aims-objectives/
“Porterbrook to Donate HST Power Cars to 125 Group.” 125 Group. 11 October, 2019.
“Sleeper Donated to the Society.” Ivatt Diesel Re-Creation Society. 21 October, 2019. https://lms10000.co.uk/news/f/sleeper-donated-to-the-society
RAIL Magazine. Facebook post. 20 March, 2019. www.facebook.com/Railmagazine/posts/confirmed-that-43002-is-on-the-designation-list-for-the-national-railway-museum-/2209266272499516/
Zabernik, John. Personal Interview. 21 October, 2019.
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