At the end of October, the Branch Line Society will be running the Midland Venturer from Ilkeston to London St. Pancras on behalf of The 125 Group, using the group’s own Class 43 HST.

On Saturday, 28 October, the group will operate its first-ever charter with its own rolling stock and will travel out and back along the Midland Mainline. Haulage is expected to be by the 125 Group’s 43159, recently repainted in Midland Mainline livery, and 43089 in EMR livery on the other end.

The train will have six carriages consisting of four standard, one Buffet Car, and one first class carriages. Throughout the trip the Buffet car will be open for the supply of hot and cold food and drinks, as well as selling a range of memorabilia and the group’s 2024 calendar.

All coaches have a recently-installed retention tank toilet system that complies with Network Rail standards.

All proceeds from the trip will go towards maintaining and enhancing The 125 Group’s rolling stock for the future mainline preservation of its High-Speed Train.

The planned route and timings are:

Ilkeston (PU 07.48) – Codnor Park Jn – Trowell Jn – Radford Jn – Nottingham P1 (PU 08.30 / RM) – Radford Jn – Trowell Jn – Alfreton – Chesterfield P3 (PU 09.04) – Beighton Jn – Woodburn Jn – Sheffield P8 (PU 09.35) – Chesterfield P2 – Derby P6 (PU 10.16) – Loughborough P2 – Leicester P3 (PU 10.56) – Kettering – Bedford – Luton – London St Pancras P3 (SD 12.06 / break)

London St Pancras P3 (PU 16.19) – Flitwick P4 – Bedford P2 – Wellingborough P3 – Kettering P2 – Leicester P2 (SD 17.54) – Loughborough P3 (SD 18.14) – Nottingham P3 (SD 18.40 / RM) – Radford Jn – Trowell Jn – Ilkeston (SD 19.16)

There is no surcharge for anyone who is not a member of the Branch Line Society member, and the society is handling all books for the tour through its website here.

Fares are:

• First Class £159, which includes a selection of at-seat light refreshments;
• Standard Class £89