Hercules hired for Christmas Polar Express trains

Vintage Trains Limited has hired 50007 Hercules from the Class 50 Alliance.

The locomotive ran from its base at Kidderminster (on the Severn Valley Railway) to VTL’s Tyseley base on November 16.

It will be used as back-up diesel power for VTL’s ‘Polar Express’ trains over the Christmas period, when 68 trains will operate across 16 days.

VTL will crew the ‘50’, with training trips to Stratford-uponAvon planned to enable the company’s staff to be trained and qualified on the class.

The company also owns 50033 Glorious, which has been restored to working order by the C50A at the SVR ( RAIL 864), but which is not main line-certified. Glorious has been loaned to the Alliance for a three-year period.

VTL also owns 47773, which is likely to be the preferred diesel traction for the company’s trains.