End Of The Line For Intercity 125 Trains

Harborough’s train passengers are saying goodbye to the iconic Intercity 1-2-5 high speed trains.

After almost 40 years, they are being retired from service by East Midlands Railway, because they no longer meet disability access or environmental standards.

Steve Jones, chairman of Harborough Rail Users’ Group says it’s the end of an era for the British-made train, which has stood the test of time:

When it was first introduced – the Intercity 1-2-5 signalled a new era for high-speed rail services, and one of the last still in service through Market Harborough uses the power car which broke the world speed record in November 1987, reaching 148.5mph between Northallerton and York, on a test run.

East Midlands Railway have painted it in the traditional ‘Inter-City’ livery to mark the retirement of the train, which will then go to the National Railway Museum in York.

The trains will be withdrawn when a new timetable is introduced on May 16th.

One of the last Intercity Trains at Market Harborough Railway Station.
Pic: Steve Jones

One of the last Intercity Trains on the tracks in Great Bowden Pic: Steve Jones