The Cumbrian Hoovers - 14th April 2018 - Brian Garrett Photography

The Cumbrian Hoovers - 14th April 2018

The Cumbrian Hoovers charter operated by Pathfinder Tours ran on the 14th April 2018. The tour featured a pair of former British Rail Class 50 locomotives supplied by The Fifty Fund based at Kidderminster. The two locomotives No.50049 'Defiance' and No.50007 'Hercules' hauled the 1Z50 06:01 Birmingham International - Carlisle on the 220 mile trip north. After a run up the West Coast Mainline from Stafford to Leyland the pair branched right and headed for a photo stop at Hellifield before tackling the Settle and Carlisle route.
After a two hour break in the city, the pair then lead the retimed 1Z52 16:12 Carlisle - Birmingham International back via the Cumbrian Coast route to Carnforth. A photo stop was also made at Barrow before rejoining the West Coast Mainline. The tour operated without incident and provided 473 miles of English Electric traction with the 50 year old locomotives breaking 100mph on several occasions during the trip. The even also raised over £1800 for The Railway Children Charity with an on board raffle. The stunning scenery on both the S&C and Cumbrian Coast were a real highlight of the tour route.

BR Large Logo Class 50 No.50049 'Defiance' and BR Blue Class 50 No.50007 'Hercules' round the curve into Wolverhampton Station on Saturday 14th April 2018 hauling Pathfinder Tours 'Cumbrian Hoovers' charter to Carlisle.

Having travelled the first 60 miles of their journey from Birmingham International, BR Class 50s No.50049 and No.50007 pause at Crewe to pick up passengers and wait for a right time departure on Saturday 14th April 2018.

Class 50 No.50049 and No.50007 pause at Crewe on Saturday 14th April 2018 having arrived with the 1Z50 06:01 Birmingham International - Carlisle charter. While waiting to take my own photo it's always possible to use someone else's image to create your own.

Hellifield

With 143 miles under their belt since leaving Birmingham International, Class 50 No.50049 'Defiance' and No.50007 'Hercules' pause at Hellifield for a photo stop prior to travelling over the Settle and Carlisle route hauling Pathfinder Tours 'The Cumbrian Hoovers' on Saturday 14th April 2018. - Many thanks to the Class 50 crew who took images on the trackside for passengers on the train.

Crowds gather on the platform at Hellifield showing the appreciation for the locomotives during a photo stop on the 1Z50 06:01 Birmingham International - Carlisle charter on Saturday 14th April 2018.

A nose to nose view of BR Class 50's No.50049 and No.50007 at Hellifeild on Saturday 14th April while paused with The Cumbrian Hoovers Charter from Birmingham International.

Enthusiasts gather for their photos at the end of Hellifield Station during the Cumbrian Hoovers Charter on the 14th April 2018.

Settle & Carlisle

The Cumbrian Hoovers with No.50049 and No.50007 leading the train north round the curve onto Dandry Mire Viaduct while hauling the 1Z50 06:01 Birmingham International - Carlisle.

Carlisle

BR Large Logo Class 50 No.50049 'Defiance' and BR Blue No.50007 'Hercules' stand at Carlisle having completed their 220 mile trip north from Birmingham International with the 1Z50 Cumbrian Hoovers Charter for Pathfinder Tours on April 14th 2018.

West Coast Railways Class 47 No.47245 arrives into Carlisle hauling the 1Z75 05:34 Scarborough - Appleby charter 'The Settle and Carlisle & Tyne Valley Pullman' on Saturday 14th April 2018.

Northern Class 142 No.142066 stands at Carlisle on the 14th April 2018, the unit later departed with the 2N36 13:26 Carlisle - Newcastle stopping service via the Tyne Valley Route.

Direct Rail Services Class 57/3 No.57308 'Jamie Ferguson' stands at Carlisle on the 14th April 2018 between duties.

Virgin West Coast Class 390 No. 390156 stands at Carlisle ready to depart south with the 1M13 13:44 Carlisle - London Euston service on Saturday 14th April 2018.

BR Blue Class 50 No.50007 returns stock into Carlisle Station on the 14th April 2018 before running round the train to join classmate No.50049 on the opposite end of the train ready for the Cumbrian Hoovers to head back south via the Cumbrian Coast.

BR Blue Class 50 No.50007 'Hercules' stands at the north end of Carlisle station having returned stock from the sidings into the station ready for The Cumbrian Hoovers charter to return south back to Birmingham via the Cumbrian Coast.

BR Blue Class 50 No.50007 runs around Mk2 charter stock at Carlisle before joining classmate No.50049 'Defiance' to lead the 1Z52 14:12 Carlisle - Birmingham International down the Cumbrian Coast.

British Rail liveried Mk1 Buffet Restaurant No.1657 within the consist of The Cumbrian Hoovers Charter at Carlisle on the 14th April 2018.

First Class British Rail Mk2 No.3386 stands under the recently refurbished roof at Carlisle on the 14th April 2018

BR Blue Class 50 No.50007 'Hercules' and BR Large Logo No.50049 'Defiance' stand at Carlisle on Saturday 14th April 2018 ready to depart with Pathfinder Tours 'The Cumbrian Hoovers' charter the 1Z52 16:12 Carlisle - Birmingham International via the Cumbrain Coast route to Carnforth.

The Cumbrian Coast

While hauling the 1Z52 16:12 Carlisle - Birmingham International on Saturday 14th April 2018. No.50007 and No.50049 pause on the Cumbrian Coast line waiting to pass a Northern Trains service and gain access to the single line section.

BR Blue Class 50 No.50007 'Hercules' and BR Large Logo No.50049 'Defiance' stand at Barrow having arrived with the Cumbrian Hoovers Charter from Carlisle. The locomotives took a seven minute photo stop at Barrow before continuing to Birmingham International on Saturday 14th April 2018.