Railtours - 2006 The Orcadian

16th June 2006 to 19th June 2006

50031 Hood and 50049 Defiance were used for The Orcadian four-day land cruise run by Pathfinder Tours to the Scottish Highlands. On the initial day, the locomotives worked from Swindon to Inverness. Using Inverness as an over-night base, they visited Kyle of Lochalsh on the second day, followed by Wick and Thurso on the third before returning to Swindon on the final day. Although the weather was poor throughout the four days, the locomotives themselves performed splendidly during the 1,725 mile tour.

In common with many Scottish locomotives in the 1980s, both locomotives were adorned with a Highland stag motif on their bodysides. In addition, both locomotives masqueraded as two now-scrapped members of the class, having different TOPS numbers and nameplates fixed to one of their bodysides. 50031 temporarily sported the details of 50028 Tiger and 50049 those of 50012 Benbow.

50031 Hood & 50049 Defiance arrive at Preston	50049 Defiance & 50031 Hood at Preston	50049 Defiance temporary nameplate	50031 Hood temporary nameplate
50031 Hood #2 end	50031 Hood #2 end detail	50049 Defiance & 50031 Hood stand at Preston	50049 Defiance & 50031 Hood in multiple
50031 Hood stands at Perth	50049 Defiance & 50031 Hood wait at Preston	50031 Hood & 50049 Defiance wait for the right away	50031 Hood & 50049 Defiance arrive at Perth
50031 Hood & 50049 Defiance stand at Perth	50031 Hood #2 end detail	50049 Defiance & 50031 Hood at Perth	50031 Hood & 50049 Defiance wait at Perth
50031 Hood & 50049 Defiance arrive at Kingussie	50031 Hood & 50049 Defiance looking mean	50031 Hood & 50049 Defiance stand at Kingussie	50031 Hood #2 cab from above
50031 Hood & 50049 Defiance wait for a passing unit	50049 Defiance & 50031 Hood wait for the right away	Kingussie station sign	50031 Hood stands at Inverness