Latest News

Snow Clearing Duties for 50049

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

Jan 9

Farewell and thank you Pathfinder Railtours

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

Dec 20, 2025

South Wales Railtour Announced

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.

Dec 13, 2025

The Derby Express Sunday 8th March 2026

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

Nov 22, 2025

2026 Railtour Diary Open

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

Nov 19, 2025

007 in Cleethorpes & Barton - On - Humber

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

Oct 25, 2025

Railtour Weekend Action for 007

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/

Oct 22, 2025

Your Railtour Images Needed

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

Oct 13, 2025