Class 50 Alliance acquires 50033 'Glorious' on three year loan.
Representatives from The Fifty Fund / Class 50 Alliance have been in discussions with Bob Meanley / Tyseley Loco Works for some time concerning the possibility of coming to an agreement that would enable 50033 to run again, with our involvement.
We are very pleased to announce that we have today reached agreement to take the locomotive on loan for an initial three year period. An extensive appraisal has already taken place on the loco, and some work has already been carried out. The aim now is to get the loco up and running to enable it to operate at the SVR Golden Jubilee 50 gala in October.It is important to make it clear to our shareholders that no Class 50 Alliance or Fifty Fund funds will be used on the locomotive. Tyseley have made a sum of money available towards its initial restoration, but it will have to generate its own funds by means of donations for its upkeep. There is a dedicated PayPal account set up for donations to this loco and it is important we account for it separately. Such donations can be sent by paypal to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
That the Fund have been given this opportunity after many years of uncertainty for 50033 speaks volumes for the high regard in which we are held within preservation circles.Work on the locomotive will continue at Tyseley for the time being under the expert guidance of Tony Middleton so please do let him know if you can assist in any way. At some point later this year 50033 will move to the SVR in readiness for the 50 event.
Cumbrian Hoovers - April 14th 2018
Join us for a double-headed Class 50 tour over the Settle & Carlisle and Cumbrian Coast Lines.CONTINUING the celebrations to mark 50 years of the Class 50s, Rail Express has teamed up with Pathfinder Tours, Riviera Trains, GB Railfreight and the Class 50 Alliance to run a charter from Birmingham to Carlisle on April 14, 2018. The outbound trip will be via Wigan, Blackburn and the Settle & Carlisle Line, with the return via the Cumbrian Coast Line and Barrow.
The tour is shaping up to be one of the most sought-after charity railtours of 2018, retracing the diversionary route used by Class 50s during their West Coast Main Line days in the late 1960s and early 1970s before taking the locos on a very rare outing around the coastal edge of the Lake District – a route they never regularly used in BR days.
The two locos are expected to be Nos. 50007 and 50049 hauling a 13-coach train comprising Standard, First Class Plus and Premier Dining seats. The train will depart Birmingham International around 06.00 and pick up at Birmingham New Street, Wolverhampton, Stafford, Crewe, Warrington Bank Quay and Wigan North Western. It will then travel via Blackburn to a planned photostop at Hellifield, before tackling the famous gradients of the S&C and arriving in Carlisle just after midday.
After a break of a couple of hours to service the stock, the ‘50s’ will head south along the Cumbrian Coast with planned photostops at Workington and Barrow. The tour will join the WCML at Carnforth and then set down as outward to arrive back at Birmingham International before 23.00.
Severn Valley Class 50 Celebration - October 4/5/6 2018
Big news! The home of our fleet for many years, the SVR have announced a 50th Anniversary Class 50 Gala for 2018. The event will run from October 4th to 6th, and will feature both the home fleet of 50's and a number of visiting locos. The aim is to have no less than 10 working class members at the event, so be sure to put it in your diary early.
See you there!
Urgent Fundraising Appeal - 50007
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The Class 50 Alliance (C50A) has completed the acquisition of diesel electric locomotive 50007 Hercules, from Neil Boden, for mainline contract work. |
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“The purchase has only been possible thanks to the tremendous generosity of Phil Swallow and a small number of our existing shareholders, who have kindly provided the finance necessary to secure 50007. The C50A has to repay this loan over the next two years, and we’re now embarking on a major fund raising campaign to encourage shareholders old and new to become part-owners in not only Hercules, but the rest of the fleet. Have you considered setting up a Standing Order with us? Even a few pounds a month is invaluable to us for the maintenance of our locomotives. Click here to download an SO form: To purchase shares outright, please click here: Shares can also be purchased with Paypal, via our online shop: To view our prospectus, please click here:
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Old Oak Common Open Day 2017
We were honoured to be invited to take several locomotives to the recent Old Oak 111 Open Day, laid on by GWR. The convoy was worked from Kidderminster by 50049 and 50007, and included 50035, 50044 and D1015. (Photo by Ade Holman)
Those that attended the event were met with the incredible lineup of 50007, 50017, 50026, 50044, 50049 and 50050 together, with 50035 also lined up separately as part of a 'Legends of the GWR' display. (Photo by Dave Redbourne)
