125 GROUP TOURS - 2026

[43096]

Thanks. I'd have the scones, but I ate enough of those last weekend at a 60th Wedding Anniversary party.

They are very much worth having - freshly baked on board!

 

[Isle of Mull]

Thanks. I'd have the scones, but I ate enough of those last weekend at a 60th Wedding Anniversary party.

They are always great, especially warm like I had them

 

[Krystal]

I also saw the HST on its ECS run at Camden Road today. There were a lot of enthusiasts on the platform too and from what I've seen from the old 43159 livery, this fits the Mk3 coaches much better! Maybe one day we'll get Intercity Swallow on both ends again!

 

[sad1e]

Passing Brondesbury Park today on The ECS to West Ealing.

 

[Amos390]

It quite took me by surprise how little an amount of people there were at Newark for the ECS, would've expected a small gaggle of maybe 5-10 dotted along the platform, but I only counted 3, myself and 2 others. Clearly ECS moves go much less noticed, maybe something to take note of in the future to avoid the bustle of the main tour but still see the same stuff.

 

[Krystal]

It quite took me by surprise how little an amount of people there were at Newark for the ECS, would've expected a small gaggle of maybe 5-10 dotted along the platform, but I only counted 3, myself and 2 others. Clearly ECS moves go much less noticed, maybe something to take note of in the future to avoid the bustle of the main tour but still see the same stuff.

If anything I'd much prefer spot a railtour when it's on an ECS run for this very reason!
There's a reason why I went to Royal Oak to capture a rare train into Paddington, and that was to avoid the crowds of people at PAD.

 

[Amos390]

If anything I'd much prefer spot a railtour when it's on an ECS run for this very reason!
There's a reason why I went to Royal Oak to capture a rare train into Paddington, and that was to avoid the crowds of people at PAD.

The other option is travel out to a middle-of-nowhere station, but I would rather see the ECS than that most likely (unless it's local, then I'd see both )

 

[WesternLancer]

saw the ECS for the tours on the weekend, and 43159 looked stunning on the rear, I am also a big fan of how now the set flows with it being all in IC colours. I uploaded my video to YouTube and have attached the pictures of each power car.View attachment 212664View attachment 212665

Thanks for sharing these pics

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: Friday at 23:32 ==

View attachment 212678
Passing Brondesbury Park today on The ECS to West Ealing.

Nice light there

 

[StephenHunter]

Was on the tour today; we got stuck for a good while behind a broken-down IET on the outbound journey.

 

[milooo]

During our wait for the IET to move there were talks of us diverting via Bristol Parkway and Filton Abbey Wood. That never happened in the end and we went through Chippenham 29 down

 

[43096]

During our wait for the IET to move there were talks of us diverting via Bristol Parkway and Filton Abbey Wood. That never happened in the end and we went through Chippenham 29 down

Network Rail changed their mind on whether to divert or not.

There was a certain irony in the HST’s inferior replacement delaying the 50th anniversary service.

 

[Loadhaul60059]

Had a thoroughly enjoyable day out on this, and look forward to the 125 Group running more tours in the future.

 

[43096]

Half a century on to the day, HST is still doing 125mph.

 

[RGM654]

Just got home after an enjoyable ride, and back to Euston by Avanti. I was a bit disconcerted that my "toastie" from the buffet was untoasted, but that is a minor quibble. We ran pretty much to time until we joined the Hope Valley where we were behind a late running stopper, but still we were only a few minutes late into Piccadilly.

 

[Amos390]

Just got home after an enjoyable ride, and back to Euston by Avanti. I was a bit disconcerted that my "toastie" from the buffet was untoasted, but that is a minor quibble. We ran pretty much to time until we joined the Hope Valley where we were behind a late running stopper, but still we were only a few minutes late into Piccadilly.

Indeed, a very pleasurable journey with some stunning views along the Hope Valley line, unfortunately could not quite say the same for my journey back which didn't quite seem to go as well as yours did, wasn't a great sight when was my what was meant to be four-car 170 (170507 and 170517) had been cut to just two cars (with only 507 doing the work), with this unit to arrive into Picc already full and standing. Luckily just managed to squeeze on (albeit in the luggage racks), which could not be said for the other 3/4 passengers waiting to board. Left Picc about 15L, only losing time from then on, arrived back into Notts a whole 39L and very sore. A world a different to the HST, which I deeply yearned for on that return... At least I will get a little cash back, and there was a very nice sunset

 

[A S Leib]

I just missed seeing today's (well, yesterday's) tour at Dore as a bus was five minutes late. Given the Hope Valley stopper was delayed, I don't know if I'd have got there in time if I'd gone to Dore & Totley by train instead (unless it's possible to see Dore south curve from the station? From what I can see, it isn't).

Grindleford would have worked if I hadn't had other plans, but there'll hopefully be more opportunities in the future.