For many years the combination of 50031 and 50049 kept the flame of Class 50 operation alive on the main line. The pair are seen on 1st October 2005 passing Cockwood Harbour with a railtour. This fine photographic location has since been ruined by Network Rail security fencing! (Mark Burrows)

The North Yorkshire Moors Railway staged the "Valley aid" benefit gala in November 2007 to raise funds for the repair of the Severn Valley Railway which had been severed by flooding and embankment slippage at the time. 50049 attended and operated trains on the Esk Valley branch between Whitby and Battersby. The train is seen near Battersby on 4th November 2007.

On the same day and event as the previous photo, 50049 is seen at Kildale Common.

One of the most active of the mainline performers is Class 50 Alliance-owned 50049 Defiance seen with 50031 Hood tailing, the pair are passing Gatcombe near the site of the old Severn Railway Bridge on the Gloucester-Chepstow route.