50007 / 033 / 044 / 049 / 035 in action at Kidderminster SVR 5th October 2020 (Kenny Felstead)
was Brush Traction at Loughborough who provided the most comprehensive option. The task required removal of the power unit (engine + main generator) then detaching the generator from the engine and disassembling the generator for cleaning and overhaul. With two mainline registered locomotives and with continuing commitments to the SVR we never lost sight of the fact Kidderminster was our base and that supporting the SVR remained our priority. We were clear that ultimately we should pursue the aim of a proper diesel maintenance facility at the SVR but in the interim using our network of railway industry contacts we would try and make use of other suitable facilities around the country, if or when the need arose to undertake heavy engineering work on the fleet.
Enter Defiance
In late 1999, 50049 arrived at Kidderminster for the SVR diesel event and that weekend clearly demonstrated how much could be gained by the two groups working together even more closely. We agreed to stable 50049 over the winter at Kidderminster before it returned home to Williton. Ultimately fate took a hand in our strategic thinking here and the WSR decided that they didn’t need 50049 and it became homeless. We therefore decided to merge the organisations. With Project Defiance being a limited company this would provide much more
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protection from liability for our shareholders. So Project Defiance was reincarnated to become “Class 50 Alliance Ltd” which would own the locomotives and undertake the commercial trading whilst The Fifty Fund would remain as support organisation to primarily focus on fundraising. By combining the skills together with materials owned by both groups, we really had all that was needed to keep the locomotives operational. All we needed now was our own depot. 50049 itself was also in very good condition and it soon returned to mainline operation alongside 031 and 044. During the early 2000s 50031 and 50049 became a regular sight working across the country on charter trains. Unfortunately in this period 50035 and 50044 suffered main generator issues and from 2004 the fitment of Train Protection & Warning System (TPWS) would become mandatory for all mainline locomotives.
Old Oak Common Return
Again, largely due to our professional approach and network of contacts across the railway industry, the opportunity arose to use the famous ‘Factory’ at Old Oak Common Depot where the facilities had been designed for diesel locomotives and were perfect for our needs. Between 2000 and 2009 this historic depot would be critical in terms of our ability to undertake engine lifts, bogie work, wheelset changes and even repaints, all largely under the direction of
Great Western Star Summer 2021
