Class50.net Archive: Recently Added Galleries and Collections

BR Motive Power During The Mid-1980s

martinhart@fastmail.co.uk (Class50.net Archive) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The fleet of locomotives used on the British Rail network back during the mid-1980s was a lot different to that seen today with its era of multiple units. A large proportion of trains were hauled by this fleet of diesel and electric locomotives, although the newly-arrived High Speed Trains (HSTs) were making inroads into Eastern and Western Region passenger services.

This is a pictorial record, showing at least one example, of the many classes of locomotive operating during this period. In retrospect, it is interesting to see the varied types of traction that operated throughout the network. Very few of these locomotives survive today, the majority having met their demise at the scrap yard. Some however, thanks to numerous dedicated enthusiasts, have been preserved or are currently being restored for future generations at the many private railways across the country. For more information about preserved British Rail locomotives see the Preserved-Diesels or The AC Locomotive Group websites.

Dates: 1983-1985

Published Work

martinhart@fastmail.co.uk (Class50.net Archive) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

This collection contains photographs that have either been published nationally or feature on other websites. These are shortcuts to photographs which reside in groups elsewhere within the website.

Publication Dates: 2007-2009

In Active Service During The Mid-1980s

martinhart@fastmail.co.uk (Class50.net Archive) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

By the mid-1980s the British Rail Class 50 fleet were allocated to either Old Oak Common (London) or Laira (Plymouth) depots and had been named after ships or shore establishments of the Royal Navy. The last of the fleet had undergone the refurbishment programme in 1983 and all, apart from 50007 Sir Edward Elgar during 1984, were painted in the British Rail 'large logo' style of livery.

The introduction of High Speed Trains (HSTs) on some Western Region services saw the class transferred to other duties involving passenger train movements from Paddington to Thames Valley destinations, Bristol, Birmingham, Hereford and Plymouth. In addition there were several diagrams from Plymouth to Birmingham, secondary services in Cornwall and local services between Bristol and Taunton. By 1984, sufficient Class 50s were available for them to become the locomotive of choice on the Southern Region Waterloo-Exeter route.

The majority of the Class 50 fleet met their demise at the scrap yard. Some however, thanks to numerous dedicated enthusiasts, have been preserved or are currently being restored for future generations at the many private railways across the country.

Dates: 1983-1985

In Active Service During The Early 1990s

martinhart@fastmail.co.uk (Class50.net Archive) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The 1990s marked the beginning of the end for the class with fewer than half remaining by 1991. Locomotives were slowly taken out of service as they failed or became too expensive to repair, their parts robbed to keep other members running.

In early 1992 Network SouthEast finally withdrew its support for service use of the class. The last timetabled run of Class 50s in regular BR service was on 24 May 1992 with 50007 Sir Edward Elgar (previously Hercules) and 50050 Fearless.

Network SouthEast retained this pair plus 50033 Glorious for railtours until 1994 on the understanding that it would not incur any costs; revenue from these charters having to cover any expenditure.

The majority of the Class 50 fleet met their demise at the scrap yard. Some however, thanks to numerous dedicated enthusiasts, have been preserved or are currently being restored for future generations at the many private railways across the country.

Dates: 1990-1991

Favourites

martinhart@fastmail.co.uk (Class50.net Archive) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

This collection contains some of my favourite images in the archive. These are shortcuts to photographs that reside in groups elsewhere within the website.

Dates: 2005-2009

Other BR Classes

martinhart@fastmail.co.uk (Class50.net Archive) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Currently there are more than 360 preserved mainline locomotives in the UK. These can usually be seen at various preserved railways across the country, although some are certified to run on the national mainline.

This is a pictorial record of the many classes of locomotive that have thankfully been saved from the cutter’s torch. For the sake of simplicity, locomotives have been labelled with their last running number worn before withdrawal. For more information about preserved British Rail locomotives see the Preserved-Diesels or The AC Locomotive Group websites.

Dates: 2004-2009

2009 Severn Valley Railway

martinhart@fastmail.co.uk (Class50.net Archive) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

50035 Ark Royal and 50044 Exeter attended the October 2009 diesel gala at the Severn Valley Railway. Locomotive 50026 Indomitable was also on static display.

This was the first outing for 50035 for some time, the locomotive having undergone a series of major repairs which involved removal of its power unit and main generator which took several years to complete. Whilst being repaired mechanically, attention was given to the bodywork together with a complete repaint into black and orange Loadhaul livery - a livery which was never actually carried by the class but gives an idea what the class may have looked like had the Railfreight experiment in 1987 with 50149 been more successful. The locomotives provided turns from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth and Kidderminster to Highley.

For more pictures of these particular locomotives see the collections relating to 50026, 50035 or 50044 listed in the In Preservation group.

Dates: 2009-10-08 to 2009-10-10

On Shed During The Early 1980s

martinhart@fastmail.co.uk (Class50.net Archive) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Once all 50 locomotives were allocated to the Western Region a 'make simple' policy was adopted where several of the complex electronic systems were isolated in order to improve class reliability. In 1977 an initiative by the Western Region into Class 50 failures was launched which produced a recommendation of a major refurbishment for the whole class if availability was to be significantly improved. By the end of 1978 refurbishment details were finalised and 50006 Neptune, which had been at BREL Doncaster since 1977, was chosen as the 'guinea-pig' for the work which began in 1979.

By the end of 1981 just over half of the fleet had undergone the refurbishment programme, the first six being out-shopped in the standard British Rail corporate blue livery, subsequent members receiving the British Rail 'large logo' style.

The photographs are courtesy of the BRB Central Photographic Unit.

Dates: 1981-02-19 to 1981-03-18

Withdrawn From Service

martinhart@fastmail.co.uk (Class50.net Archive) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Towards the end of the 1980s, the majority of the fleet were used mostly on the Waterloo-West of England, Paddington-Thames and Chiltern workings. The remainder were transferred to the Departmental Sector to provide the motive power for maintenance and civil engineer's trains.

Around this time the first locomotives began to be withdrawn. This started in February 1987 with 50011 Centurion sent to Crewe to be used as a test bed for overhauled power units. A further two locomotives, 50006 Neptune and 50014 Warspite, were withdrawn in 1987 followed by five locomotives in 1988 and another three in 1989. From here onwards class members were slowly taken out of service as they failed or became too expensive to repair, their parts robbed to keep other members running.

The majority of the Class 50 fleet met their demise at the scrap yard. Some however, thanks to numerous dedicated enthusiasts, have been preserved or are currently being restored for future generations at the many private railways across the country.

Dates: 1988-1995

50026 Indomitable

martinhart@fastmail.co.uk (Class50.net Archive) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

50026 Indomitable worked its last train in November 1990 and was withdrawn in December 1990 due to power unit damage, thereby becoming the 25th Class 50 locomotive to be withdrawn after over 22 years of active service. Its engine hours stood at 8,039.

After its withdrawal, 50026 was one of nine locomotives sent to Booths scrap yard in Rotherham in early 1992. These locomotives were part of a bid by Operation Collingwood but since no money was forthcoming, Booths were forced to scrap the four in the worst condition. By the end of 1992, with still no money from Operation Collingwood, Booths made the ultimatum of payment or scrapping the remainder.

It was at this time that the owners approached Booths regarding the purchase of one of the locomotives as a spares donor for 50027 Lion. This plan suited Operation Collingwood since Booths then agreed to hold on to the other locomotives. After an examination, 50026 was chosen together with the removal of parts from the other locomotives that were missing from 50026.

Initially, 50026 was moved by rail from Rotherham in 1993 to the Mid-Hants Railway but was soon moved to a secure site at MOD Bicester. The owners of 50026 and 50027 at the time were able to secure parts from other sources for 50027, thus allowing a start to be made to restore 50026 in its own right. In 2007, 50026 Indomitable finally left its secure site at MOD Bicester and was subsequently transported to Old Oak Common depot where it was started-up for the first time in over 18 years. Recently, it has travelled by rail to the Severn Valley Railway where it currently resides.

Dates: 2004-2009

50008 Thunderer

martinhart@fastmail.co.uk (Class50.net Archive) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

50008 Thunderer worked its last train in November 1991 and was withdrawn in June 1992 due to it being surplus to requirements, thereby becoming the 46th Class 50 locomotive to be withdrawn after over 24 years of active service. Its engine hours stood at 8,537.

After its withdrawal, 50008 was initially purchased by Pete Waterman but was then subsequently sold for commercial use to Sea Containers Limited in 1998. The locomotive remained in their ownership for several years stored outside at London & North Western Railway (LNWR), Crewe with the intention that it was eventually going to be exported abroad. Externally, the locomotive lost its jumper cables and had one of its high power front headlights plated over. Internally, several items of equipment were removed prior to the now-abandoned export of the locomotive to Peru. In 2006 it was sold to a private individual who funded its restoration largely whilst it remained at LNWR. This is nearing completion and the locomotive has relocated to the East Lancashire Railway for finishing.

It is pictured here minus its nameplates and in maroon livery; a legacy from when it was planned to work the Venice Simplon Orient Express (VSOE) dining car train services along with 50017 Royal Oak.

Date: 2005-2009

2009 The Cambrian Mountaineer

martinhart@fastmail.co.uk (Class50.net Archive) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

50044 Exeter (as D444) and 37676 Loch Rannoch were used for The Cambrian Mountaineer tour run by Spitfire Railtours. The locomotives worked from Bristol to Aberystwyth via Oxford and Wolverhampton, a total of over 600 miles for the one day trip. On the return leg the tour was diverted at Shrewsbury and had to run to Wolverhampton via Crewe. All proceeds from the tour went in support of the Railway Children charity which supports street children across the world.

The tour carried people wishing to visit Aberystwyth or the Vale of Rheidol Railway the last steam railway owned by British Rail until it was privatised in 1989.

The Class 50 was used for the first part of the outward leg. At Shrewsbury a Network Rail-owned Class 97 locomotive (ex 37100) was attached to the rear and together with 37676 hauled the tour over the Cambrian Line to the seaside town of Aberystwyth. 50044 was used for the return leg from Aberystwyth to Shrewsbury and the subsequent diversion to Crewe. It was the first time a Class 50 had worked out of Aberystwyth and was only the second mainline run for 50044 since 1999, following fitment of the mandatory electronic equipment to allow for its operation on the national mainline.

Date: 2009-05-09

2008 Minehead & West Somerset Railway

martinhart@fastmail.co.uk (Class50.net Archive) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

50044 Exeter (as D444) and 50049 Defiance were used for the Minehead & The West Somerset Railway tour run by Rail-Blue Charters. The locomotives worked from Manchester to Minehead via Shrewsbury and Severn Tunnel, a total of 466 miles for the one day trip. Locomotive 57601, supplied by West Coast Railways, was used as tail-gunner throughout the tour for electric train supply (ETS) and stock positioning purposes.

The destination for the tour was Minehead, which was reached by running over the preserved-line tracks of the West Somerset Railway.

This was the first mainline run for 50044 since 1999, following fitment of the mandatory electronic equipment to allow for its operation on the national mainline.

Date: 2008-10-18

2008 The Purbeck & Weymouth Explorer

martinhart@fastmail.co.uk (Class50.net Archive) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

47773 and 50049 Defiance at different stages during The Purbeck And Weymouth Explorer tour run by Vintage Trains. The locomotives worked in a top-'n'-tail formation from Birmingham Moor Street to Weymouth. Locomotive 47773 took charge of the outward leg of the trip and 50049 the return.

The tour carried people wishing to visit Bournemouth, Poole, Wareham (for the Swanage Railway) or the classic seaside resort of Weymouth.

This was the first Class 50 at Weymouth since 1999 when 50017 Royal Oak made an appearance together with 55009 Alycidon on a Labour Party conference special.

Date: 2008-05-10

2007 The Lincoln Marketeer

martinhart@fastmail.co.uk (Class50.net Archive) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

50049 Defiance was used for The Lincoln Marketeer tour run by Pathfinder Tours. The locomotive worked from Salisbury to Barnetby via the East Coast Main Line (ECML) and via Leicester and the Midland Main Line (MML) for the return.

The tour carried people wishing to visit the Christmas market in Lincoln and those enthusiasts wishing to stay on for the final destination at Barnetby.

Date: 2007-12-08

2007 Airbourne Eastbourne

martinhart@fastmail.co.uk (Class50.net Archive) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

50049 Defiance was used for the Airbourne Eastbourne tour run by Vintage Trains. The locomotive worked from Tyseley to Eastbourne via Kettering and the return, a total of 407 miles for the one-day trip. Locomotive 57601, supplied by West Coast Railways, was used as tail-gunner throughout the tour as insurance against a mainline failure. In reality it was only used for stock positioning purposes.

The tour carried people wishing to view one of the largest annual air shows in Britain. Displays included the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, the Eurofighter Typhoon and other international aircraft performing displays.

Date: 2007-08-18

2007 The Bristol Coal-Stone Haul

martinhart@fastmail.co.uk (Class50.net Archive) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

50049 Defiance was used for The Bristol Coal-Stone Haul tour in support of the Railway Children charity. The tour started from Bristol and travelled across the freight lines of Portbury, Avonmouth, Tytherington and Westerleigh together with a trip to the railhead at Severn Beach.

For the duration of the tour, 50049 worked in a top-'n'-tail formation with two Class 31s, 31105 and 31285, from the Network Rail fleet.

Date: 2007-06-03

2007 The Pompey-Vectis Explorer

martinhart@fastmail.co.uk (Class50.net Archive) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

50049 Defiance was used on The Pompey-Vectis Explorer tour run by Vintage Trains. The locomotive was booked to work from Tyseley to Havant via Market Harborough but came to a halt whilst approaching Elstree due to a loss of coolant. Having lost its pathing route, the tour was subsequently caped by Network Rail and returned to Tyseley behind 47853 Rail Express.

This incident was the first total failure experienced with a locomotive from The Class 50 Alliance Ltd in almost 10 years of mainline operation.

Date: 2007-05-12

2006 The Airean Raider

martinhart@fastmail.co.uk (Class50.net Archive) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

50031 Hood and 50049 Defiance at different stages during The Airean Raider tour run by Pathfinder Tours. The locomotives worked from Cardiff to Leeds via Hellifield and the return, a total of 628 miles for the one-day trip.

The tour carried people wishing to visit the Grassington Dickensian Christmas Festival, attend the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway or those wanting to go Christmas shopping in Leeds. A milestone in Class 50 preservation was reached on this day as it was exactly 15 years since both 50031 and 50049 entered into private ownership having been sold by British Rail.

Date: 2006-12-16

2006 The Orcadian

martinhart@fastmail.co.uk (Class50.net Archive) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

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.

Dates: 2006-06-16 to 2006-06-19