‘Hoovers’ head to Devon

A PAIR of Class 50s will be reunited with their former stamping ground on March 26, when a pair of Class 50 Alliance locos will work from London Paddington to Devon.

The UK Railtours charter will call at Slough, Reading and Swindon, before continuing via Bristol and then along the sea wall at Dawlish, with a final destination of Paignton. UK Railtours said a couple of goods loops and a freight yard are expected to be included in the final itinerary.

The charter will also visit the Okehampton line, as come May when the service frequency increases on the recently reopened line, paths may not be available. Return to London will be via Westbury.

Fares are £119 adult, £109 junior in standard class, £169 first class nondining, £269 first class dining, with a first class party of four seating costing £1056.

CHRIS MILNER December 4 last year saw a run of double-headed Class 50s. Seen approaching Stenson Junction No. 50007 Hercules, running on one side as No. 50034 Furious, worked with No. 50049 Defiance at the head of Pathfinder’s ‘Christmas White Rose’ from Cardiff to York.