Old Oak Common

41001 departing for Old Oak Common

41001 on GCR(N) ‘Mainline’ ©125 Group

On Sunday 27th August, Prototype High Speed Train power car 41001 will be setting off from its home base Ruddington on the Great Central Railway (Nottingham) heading for Old Oak Common and the Great Western Railway public Open Day which takes place on Saturday 2nd September.

41001 together with 47828 + 37003 are expected to depart from Ruddington at approx 0830 Sunday 27th August heading for Rushcliffe Halt which is also known as East Leake/Hotchley Hill. They will be collected by 57604 with schedule planned 0Z58 1000 Hotchley Hill – Leicester Depot to set down 37003 then onward as 0Z59 1530 Leicester Depot – Old Oak Common via Oakham 16/14, Peterborough 16/45, Huntingdon 17/30, Potters Bar 18/30, Finsbury Park 1848-1932, Camden Road 19/51, Willesden Jn High Level 20/09, Acton Mainline 2012-2017, Old Oak Common 2047.

Live schedules can be found here, courtesy of our friends at Realtime Trains. Please note, as always, this information is provided in good faith but these movements can change at short notice on the day subject to operational constraints, the trains may run early or late or be cancelled.

0Z58  http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/R73450/2017/08/27/advanced

0Z59  http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/O22593/2017/08/27/advanced

Tickets are still available for what promises to be a very memorable open day celebrating 111 years of Old Oak Common. To view full information about the open day, including how to get there and to buy tickets on-line, see the event website www.oocopenday.com

Prototype HST 41001 for Old Oak Common Open Day

Prototype HST on test at Didcot station, with power car 41001 (43000) nearest the camera, February 1975. ©Dave Hird

125 Group is delighted to announce that Prototype High Speed Train power car 41001 is planned to be one of the star exhibits at Great Western Railway Old Oak Common public open day on Saturday 2nd September 2017, celebrating over 111 years of train maintenance and servicing at this West London depot. On display will be a unique collection of steam, diesel and electric locomotives also merchandise stalls including the 125 Group Sales Stand, children’s activities, fun fair, entertainers plus locomotive naming ceremonies.

Tickets are now on sale and demand is expected to be high for this unique event. All proceeds will go to the depot’s chosen charity Place2Be, providing mental health support for children and whose patron is the Duchess of Cambridge. To view full information about the open day, including how to get there and to buy tickets on-line, see the event website www.oocopenday.com

Old Oak Common has an illustrious history, including being home to iconic Inter-City 125s since introduction. The prototype HST is no stranger to Old Oak, it was based at the depot in 1975/6 during Western Region passenger service trials. After withdrawal, power car 41001 entered the National Collection, 125 Group became custodians in 2012 and we restored it back to working order under the ‘Project Miller’ banner. The historic power car is now based at GCR(N) Ruddington where it works public trains together with our matching Mk3 coaches.

Please note that 41001 is advertised in good faith but is subject to transfer rail movements. Should problems arise we can not be held responsible for losses (and disappointment!) arising from non-appearance. The 125 Group team are very much looking forward to this fantastic event and hope to see you there!