50026 "Indomitable" has recently been the subject of a heavy refurbishment by its private owner and a dedicated band of volunteers, working on the locomotive at Eastleigh Works. Once the 50 was complete, it was dragged to the Swanage Railway by Class 33 - D6515 "Lt Jenny Lewis RN", which had also been at the works for bodywork attention. With 50026 destined to return to the mainline, a running-in programme has begun on the locomotive, to accumalate mileage and ensure reliable running before it ventures out onto the network.
Pathed between passenger services, the diesel pair made their way to Norden where they travelled 'over the road' onto the western section of the branch line, stretching between Norden and the River Frome Bridge. D6515 would remain stabled at Norden as a thunderbird, while 50026 set about racking up some light mileage, as it made three return trips over the section. Once done, D6515 led the pair back to Swanage.
The day of light runs marked the first time 50026 has worked in the Isle of Purbeck in almost 5 years, and almost three years since its previous visit as a static exhibit. The remarkable achievment is only highlighted further, by the fact that 50026 is the only operable surviving member of the class that escaped from a scrapyard.
Locomotives:
BR Class 50 - 50026 "Indomitable"
BR Class 33 - D6515 "Lt Jenny Lewis RN"
Footnote: This is late. Having upgraded the camera, the previous editing software no longer functioned with the file type/size. After some trial and error, across 5-6 different editing suites, finally managed to string this together as a 4K test piece.
All footage filmed on Friday the 22nd of April 2022.