125 Group

The 125 Group is a railway heritage group in England dedicated to the preservation of the InterCity 125s.

The 125 Group was founded in 1994 at a time when the InterCity 125 remained in daily use and under no threat of withdrawal.[1] In 2006 it purchased 10 Paxman Valenta engines when the majority of the Class 43 powercars were repowered with a view to restoring some to original condition when withdrawn.[2]

In 2011, it reached an agreement with the National Railway Museum to become the custodian of Class 41 prototype powercar 41001 and restore it to operational condition at Neville Hill TMD.[3][4] This work was completed in 2014, with 41001 based at the Great Central Railway (Nottingham).[5]

The 125 Group purchased a number of Mark 3 carriages to operate with it.[6] These were Mark 3B variants that were compatible with 41001's electrical system and had last been operated by Virgin Trains West Coast with Class 87 and Class 90 electric locomotives. In 2020 these were sold replaced by ex HST Mark 3s, three from East Midlands Railway and one ex First Great Western.[7][8]

In 2019, the National Railway Museum terminated the lease of 41001.[9][10] Upon being withdrawn in 2020, former East Midlands Railway Class 43 powercars 43048 and 43089 were donated by Porterbrook to the 125 Group.[11][12]