50031
Hood and 50049
Defiance were used for The Orcadian four-day land cruise run by
Pathfinder Tours to the Scottish Highlands. On the initial day, the locomotives worked from Swindon to Inverness. Using Inverness as an over-night base, they visited Kyle of Lochalsh on the second day, followed by Wick and Thurso on the third before returning to Swindon on the final day. Although the weather was poor throughout the four days, the locomotives themselves performed splendidly during the 1,725 mile tour.
In common with many Scottish locomotives in the 1980s, both locomotives were adorned with a Highland stag motif on their bodysides. In addition, both locomotives masqueraded as two now-scrapped members of the class, having different TOPS numbers and nameplates fixed to one of their bodysides. 50031 temporarily sported the details of 50028
Tiger and 50049 those of 50012
Benbow.
Dates: 2006-06-16 to 2006-06-19