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Last night, Network Rail requested the hire of Class 50 No. 50049 Defiance to assist with snow-clearing operations on the West Midlands corridor ahead of the arrival of Storm Goretti. Departing Kidderminster on the Severn Valley Railway at 23:30, Defiance headed for Birmingham Snow Hill after being prepared by the C50A volunteers — many of whom had endured a challenging journey just to reach Kidderminster in the first place. Fortunately, conditions proved less severe than e

We all would like to wish all our shareholders and supporters a very happy new year.

Today marks the running of the final tour by our friends at Pathfinder Railtours, bringing to a close more than five decades of unforgettable charters and excursions. We are immensely proud to have shared such a treasured partnership with Pathfinder Railtours, with the privilege of 52 main line railtours powered by our locomotives. Our journey together began in July 1999, when 50031 Hood provided traction for The Royal Edinburgh, running in conjunction with D172. In 2023, we

On Tuesday 26th August 2025, 50049 had an unplanned shutdown at Bridgnorth whilst working a routine train on the SVR. When attempting to re-prime the fuel, it was confirmed that there was zero fuel pressure. A plan was formed to bring the loco back to Kidderminster whereby further examinations and tests could take place, this took place on Thursday 28th August. A few local tests were performed and the fuel was primed once again and surprisingly 20psi of fuel pressure regis

Another date in March for your diary, as we head to South Wales with UK Railtours and Hanson & Hall’s 50008 Thunderer. Tickets and further information can be found at https://www.ukrailtours.com/product/the-south-wales-industrial-explorer-take-2/ This tour was postponed in November, due to last minute operational issues.

Some Sunday afternoon mainline thrash is up for grabs, thanks to UK Railtours. With this one way positioning move with one of our locomotives joining Hanson & Hall’s,50008 Thunderer. Visit www.ukrailtours.com for information and tickets. Locos subject to availability Fantastic photo by J Hartley

Uk Railtours “The East Lancashire Railway “ 📆 Saturday 7th March 2026 📍Commencing at Watford Junction with various pickup points ⭐️ 2 Class 50’s & a class 56* Hanson & Hall’s 50008 Thunderer along with Class 50 Alliance’s 50049 Defiance escorted on to the ELR metals by The Class 56 Group’s mighty grid ✅ Option to visit the museum and enjoy a trip on the 12 mile scenic route between Heywood and Rawtenstall. For more information and tickets 🎟️ please visit ⬇️ https://www.ukr

On this Remembrance Sunday, we at The Fifty Fund & Class 50 Alliance will pause to remember and honour all those who gave their lives in service to our country. Their courage, sacrifice, and dedication will never be forgotten. At the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month — we remember them. “They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remem

We were delighted to be featured in Channel 4’s,Guy Martin’s, The British Train That Changed The World television programme, which saw Guy travel behind 50035 Ark Royal. Filmed at the spring diesel festival at the Severn Valley Railway and also features, our friend, Francis Bourgeois. This premiered this week, but if you missed it please visit www.channel4.co.uk This was filmed as part of the 200th anniversary of the first passenger train and we thank all involved for the i

Another two destinations have been red penned for Class 50 Alliance / The Fifty Fund today, with 50007 Hercules arrival, along with Hanson & Hall’s 50008 Thunderer at Cleethorpes and Baton-on-Humber this Saturday lunchtime. Barton- On- Humber branch Photo A Middleton Working UK Railtours Tour, “The Brick and Tile “from Finsbury Park, along with a Europhoenix’s class 37. Arrival at Cleethorpes, bang on time. Photo J Summerfield Heads back to London at 15:50 https://www.realtim

Friday 24th October Mainline Action 50007 Hercules heads to Wembley, prior to Saturday’s UK Railtours “ The Brick and Tile”railtour, with 50008 Thunderer. Follow her progress ⬇️ OH07 11:52 Kidderminster S.V.R - Wembley Receptions https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:R02900/2025-10-24/detailed A few tickets are still available for the tour ⬇️ https://www.ukrailtours.com/product/the-brick-and-tile/

Your help is required in our quest to construct our long over due railtour directory for the website. If you wish to help with this project, please send us your best images via email to secretary@fiftyfund.org.uk with details of the tour,location and your name to give credit to. It would be wonderful if we can have as many contributions as possible from our many supporters. You have a one or 100+ railtours to choose from, so we look forward to seeing your photos. Thank you fo

50049 rests at Princes Risborough this evening for tomorrow’s mainline railtour with Hanson & Hall’s 50008 Thunderer. UK Railtours “The...

UK Railtours has announced The Brick and Tile railtour on Saturday 25th October 2025, which will see two class 50’s and a class 37 in...

Saturday 6th - Sunday 7th September sees the Severn Valley Railway play host to some heavy duty traction from GBRf as they raise funds...

Taken from the cab of 50049 Photo G Turner A evening spectacle by the very talented Tom McAtee. 50044 & 50035 in their new temporary...

Day 2 at The Greatest Gathering saw a earlier entry into the site for the huge crowds with the line up of 50049 & 50033 & 50007 being a...

Two of our fleet have had a temporary change of appearance as part of The Greatest Gathering event being held in Derby over the next 3...

If you are attending the Greatest Gathering this weekend and want to find us we will be located in U Shop (Stall No E9). With a wide...