Class 50s @50 line-up shaping up very nicely

What will be the biggest gathering ever of Class 50s in preservation is starting to take shape, and quickly becoming the must-visit event of 2018.

The Class 50 Alliance has confirmed the latest additions to the line-up for the Severn Valley Railway’s Class 50 Golden Jubilee gala event on October 4-6^th .

Garcia Hanson’s 50008 Thunderer, Neil Boden’s 50017 Royal Oak and 50050 Fearless, and Paul Spracklen’s 50026 Indomitable are the latest locomotives to join this one-off event to mark the 50^th year of the class. In what promises to be one of the events of the year, the addition of these four could well see ten class 50s in operation over the three days.

The line up so far includes: 50007, 50008, 50017, 50026 (subject to completion of engine repairs), 50031, 50033 (subject to completion of overhaul), 50035, 50044 (subject to completion of engine repairs), 50049 and 50050.

Jon Dunster, Director of Class 50 Alliance Ltd  & SVR (Holdings) Plc , said: “The event is shaping up well and we’re delighted that Garcia, Neil and Paul have confirmed their locos will attend, alongside the home fleet. There’s a growing anticipation ahead of the event, and we’ll be releasing more details in the coming months. We’re currently working hard to get 50044 ready, and are making great progress on the return to traffic of 50033, which we’ve taken on a three year loan from Tyseley Railway Museum. To have ten Class 50s at the one event will be a great achievement and something we doubt will be repeated. We’re still in discussions to see if one or more other locomotives could attend, and finalising the programme for the three days.

Tickets for the event have now gone on sale and are available with a 10% discount for advanced purchase. www.svr.co.uk

The three day event – supported by The Railway Magazine and Rail Express – will see class 50s deployed on an intensive service, which will also include some freight workings, reminiscent of the locos’ duties in their later years on BR.