2019 The Cotswold Eden

50007 Hercules and 50049 Defiance at different stages during the Cotswold Eden tour run by Pathfinder Tours in collaboration with the Cotswold Line Promotion Group.

The tour started Didcot Parkway with the two Class 50s being attached at Oxford. It then travelled via Worcester and Derby over the Settle & Carlisle line to Appleby returning via Carlisle to Birmingham New Street. At Settle a commemorative plaque provided by the Cotswold Line Promotion Group was unveiled.

At Birmingham New Street the locomotives were split with 50049 going back to the Severn Valley Railway, leaving 50007 on the back and locomotive 66711 Sence taking the tour onward to Didcot Parkway. Total distance covered was 670 miles for the one-day trip.

Date: 2019-08-26