{{short description|Railway heritage group}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Infobox organization |name = 125 Group |logo = 125GroupOfficialLogo.png |image = |image_size = |caption = |formation = 1994 |founder = |extinction = |status = |purpose = InterCity 125 train preservation |headquarters = East Lancashire Railway |website = {{Official URL}}}}
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.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=New HST members sought|magazine=Rail|issue=442 |date=21 August 2002|page=66}}</ref> In 2006, it purchased ten Paxman Valenta engines when the majority of the Class 43 powercars were repowered with a view to restoring some to original condition when withdrawn.{{cn|date = March 2023}}
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.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Prototype HST to run again|magazine=The Railway Magazine|issue=1323|date=July 2011|page=11}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Project Miller for 41001|magazine=Today's Railways UK|issue=115|date=July 2011 |page=70}}</ref> This work was completed in 2014, with 41001 based at the Great Central Railway (Nottingham).<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Prototype HST power car returns to service|magazine=The Railway Magazine|issue=1365 |date=December 2014|page=9}}</ref>
The group purchased a number of Mark 3 carriages to operate with it.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=125 Group adds to Mk 3 collection|magazine=Rail|issue=859|date=15 August 2018|page=28}}</ref> 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 and replaced by ex-HST Mark 3s, three from East Midlands Railway and one ex First Great Western.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Russell|first=David|title=125 Group to acquire HST coaches|department=Preservation|magazine=Rail Express|issue=286 |date=March 2020|page=78}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Major fleet recast for 125 Group|magazine=Railways Illustrated|issue=March 2020|page=9}}</ref>
During 2019, the National Railway Museum terminated the lease of 41001.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=NRM takes prototype HST power car back after serious breaches|magazine=Heritage Railway|issue=260|date=25 October 2019|page=29}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=NRM takes HST power car back|magazine=Railways Illustrated|issue=December 2019|page=6}}</ref> Upon being withdrawn in 2020, former East Midlands Railway Class 43 powercars 43048 and 43089 were donated by Porterbrook to the 125 Group.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20191225092410/https://www.porterbrook.co.uk/news/historic-hst-power-cars-donated-to-125-group Historic HST power cars donated to 125 Group] Porterbrook 14 October 2019</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|last=Russell|first=David|title=125 Group acquires second HST power car|department=Preservation|magazine=Rail Express|issue=296|date=January 2021|page=36}}</ref> In 2021, the group purchased a third powercar, 43044, from Porterbrook.<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Bendall|first1=Simon|last2=Nicholls|first2=Mark|title=Third Power Car, more Mk 3s for 125 Group|department=Fleet Review|magazine=Railways Illustrated|issue=May 2021 |page=22}}</ref> It is planned to replace its Paxman VP185 engine with a Paxman Valenta.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Original Valenta power engine to be fitted to 43044|magazine=Rail Magazine|issue=926|date=10 March 2021|page=30}}</ref> In June 2021, Porterbrook donated a fourth powercar, 43159, that was involved in the record-breaking {{cvt|148|mph}} run on the East Coast Main Line in 1987. With this former First Great Western power car having a MTU engine, the group has examples of all three engine types used by the Class 43s.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=HST record-breaker moves to 125 Group|magazine=Rail|issue=934|date=June 2021|page=22}}</ref>
In 2023 43025 was purchased thanks to a donation from a member of the group.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cooke |first=Phil |date=2 May 2023|title=Fleet Update – May 2023 |url=https://www.125group.org.uk/fleet-update-may-2023/ |access-date=19 May 2023|website=125 Group |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>Fifth HST power car joins 125 Group fleet ''Rail Express'' issue 325 June 2023 page 9</ref> In November 2025 43190 was acquired as a parts source from Romic in exchange for some Mark 3 carriages.<ref>HST Class 43 swapped for spares ''Heritage Railway'' issue 360 19 December 2025 page 24</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{Official website}}
Category:Rail transport preservation in the United Kingdom Category:1994 establishments in England