50050 'Fearless' on the Welsh Marches Line - Pontypool - 26/02/26

After nearly a month of inactivity, the Welsh Marches mainline had an unexpected surprise in the form of a Class 50, 50050 'Fearless', from the Locomotive Services fleet making a rare appearance through Pontypool & New Inn, running on a small stock move with 40013 'Andania' on the back, heading from Crewe H.S to St. Philips Marsh H.S.T.D in preparation for The Chairman's Train running on a private charter from Bristol Temple Meads to Paignton on the following day.

50050 'Fearless' was leading the stock move with 40013 'Andania on the back of the mini-consist.

The last time that a Class 50 had appeared on the Welsh Marches line was way back in August 2018, when 50007 & 50049 ran 'The Dub & Grub' on the Birmingham International Circular, which we were unable to catch it because we were on holiday in Blackpool at the time. So after waiting 8 years for a Class 50 to reappear in the Pontypool area, seeing 50050 today made all of that waiting finally pay off.

Preceding the stock move was DBC 67010 on the One Wales Express running from Manchester Piccadilly to Cardiff Central.

Filmed by Thomas Coombes on Thursday 26th February, 2026