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Class 50
Finished on the Mainline in the early 1990's but still see's occasional use on Charters using preserved examples.Plenty around in Preservation.
50049 'Defiance' and 50007 'Hercules' speed up through Berkley Marsh with the returning GBRf Private Charter from Paignton to Ipswich '1Z52' which departed there at 17:00. Sadly not full sun but this softer lighting is probably a better option giving the pretty backlit situation this location presented..
..29 july 2023..
Amazingly the sun was in a nice patch of full blue sky when this Railtour '1Z50' the 07:07 from Ipswich to Paignton passed me here at Berkley nr Frome.GBRf's 50007 leads with 50049 tucked inside.----Marvellous! ---
..29 july 2023..
Another change from the published schedules was for the 14:30 from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth.This time 50033 was the failure and was substituted by GBRf's 50049.Here seen at Highley off the new footbridge now built there.
..2 october 2022..
The 13:40 from Kidderminster to Highley approaches Highley with 50035 'Ark Royal' in charge.This being a substitute for 'Peak' 45045 which was not available for use today due to some kind of failure.
..2 october 2022..
Large-Logo 50033 'Glorious' which is part of the NRM-National Collection sits in Highley having failed earlier and so will take no further part in todays Gala workings apart from being transfered later in the day DIT to Kidderminster.
..2 october 2022..
50035 'Ark Royal' now restored externally as 'originally built' condition slows for Bewdley with the 10:50 from Highley to Kidderminster.Timings were now slipping badly due to the failure of 50033 at Highley.
..2 october 2022..
GBRf's 50049 'Defiance' sits in Kidderminster Terminus having just brought in the ECS in readiness for the 10:10 departure to Bewdley during the Autumn Diesel Gala.
..2 october 2022..
Its not very often a Class-50 is operated 'solo' on the mainline is it! Here is GBRf's 50007 with the identity of 50034 'Furious' (on this side anyway) making a superb noise as it powers through Clink in Frome with '1Z50' the Belmond Pullman from London Victoria going down to Exeter St Davids.The return journey being routed via Yeovil & Salisbury.Its worth noting it was raining quite heavily as this railtour passed and I got a right soaking!
..18 june 2022..
This working '1Z52' the 05:58 from Eastleigh to Kingswear was supposed to be the first working for 'Western' D1015 after being restored for mainline operation. Sadly that loco siezed one of its engines during the test run on the 17th of this month and so was unfit for its return so this pair of Class-50's 50007 'Hercules' and 50049 'Defiance' were used as a reasonably suitable replacement. The train is pictured here running down the Frome Avoiding Line in sadly pretty dull conditions but still making a fine sight in their current GBRf livery
..25 september 2021..
Here is a glimpse into Eastleigh-Works from Campbell Road.The recently re-activated 50008 'Thunderer' in its new H&H colours could be seen along with Pacer 142035 which is going eventually to the Swanage Railway probably to help operate the mooted Wareham to Swanage Shuttle services.Never a dull moment here in the south!
..14 june 2021..
Today a Test Run operated from Eastleigh to Eastleigh via Swindon and the Wylye Valley with 50008 'Thunderer' in its new 'Hanson & Hall' colours escorted by 67028 hauling 10 coaches up through Upton Scudamore as '5Z50' the 14:25 from Westbury back to Eastleigh (ZG). As usual I missed the sun by a couple of minutes---what can you do? ---9 june 2021---
Here is a stock move from Wembley I/C Depot down to Laira T&RSMD that was being hauled by GBRf's pair 50007 & 50049 in top-n-tail mode.'7' leading with '49' on the back sandwiching three Caledonion Sleeper Carriages (10551,10553 &10706).They are going down to Cornwall to possibly bolster the GWR fleet since these carriages are now redundant on the Scottish Sleeper service since new stock has been introduced on these duties last October.Sadly the lighting was quite dire here at Thingley Junction just west of Chippenham requiring the use of 1600-iso to obtain this image!
..22 january 2020..
50033 is seen sandwiched between 50049 and 50007 on '0Z50' from Kidderminster-S.V.R. (dept at 08:09) going down to Eastleigh Work-GBRF.Seen at Arn Hill nr Warminster. It seems to be going there for a full repaint into L-Logo colours for use in the Preservation sector.-
..10 july 2019..
50014 'Warspite' or if you prefer 50007 'Sir Edward Elgar' heads for the northern end of the Swanage Line with a service from the seaside.GBRf colours certainly look very distinctive on this loco although I think I prefer L-Logo or maybe even the Brunswick Green it once carried.
..12 may 2019..
GBRf's 50007 pretending to be 50014 'Warspite' trundles over the Common at Corfe Castle will a late afternoon service from Norden to Swanage..A superbly sunny day that thankfully coincided with this years Swanage Railway Diesel Gala.
..12 may 2019..
GBRf's new dogsbody 50007 temporarily renumbered as 50014 'Warspite' gleams in the midday sun here at Woodhyde on the Swanage Railway with a service heading for the seaside.
..12 may 2019..
This Pathfinder Railtour 'The Terminator Phoenixed' ran today as '1Z50' from Paddington (07:08 off) bound for Penzance.It being the first public outing for 50049 'Defiance' and 50007 in their new guise as GBRf machines.50007 was renumbered as 50014 'Warspite' for this duty.Here they are passing North Brewham in Somerset running about 8 minutes early,no doubt catching a few photographers unawares! It didn't figure on RTT for some reason? Sadly it was a rather dull morning but it was still nice to capture this working albeit in semi dimness!
..23 march 2019..
Final shot of the day was the returning Railtour to Burton-on-Trent from Kingswear (16:15 off) working as '1Z52'.Sadly by now the lighting conditions had taken a turn for the worst but being a 'pair of 50s' was well worth a shot albeit in pretty dire light! So here is 50049 c/w full yellow snow-ploughs along with 50007 speeding up through Gissons south of Exeter.Thankfully the mismatched pair of 'anglia' coaches were now at the rear but sod's-law dictated we now had a Choc-n-Cream generator car at the other end to mess up the all-blue illusion!
..16 september 2017..
Pathfinder Tour '1Z50' from Burton on Trent (06:13 off) with a destination of Kingwear (For Dartmouth) rolls around the curve away from Dawlish Warren passing Langstone Rock.Nice to see a pair of Class-50's out on passenger duty again.I did picture 50044 here about five years ago but that trip ended in disaster when it lunched its engine terminally on the return duty.--see here--(tomcurtisrailgallery.weebly.com/uploads/6/9/0/3/6903499/1...) Today 50007 with 50049 did the trip as a pair for added security as the train is seen passing Dawlish Warren running pretty much to time in just about full sunlight which was nice!
..16 september 2017..
'Thunderer' 50008' runs out past Barton Hill Depot in Bristol with'4Z01' the 08:50 from Okehanpton to Derby-Chaddeston Sidings with a 4-car Loram Rail Grinder (DR79301/2/3/4) in tow.This must be the first time a '50' has passed this way on revenue earning service with a non-passenger working for almost 30 years.Certainly makes a change from a run of the mill Colas-70 or a GM-66!
..7 july 2017..
Having already pictured 50008 working this at Parson Street as it was approaching Bristol (A shot I just managed with about 5 seconds to spare!) the chase was on to get across the centre of Bristol to record it yet again departing north on my trusty Suzuki-600.It actually arrived in Bristol about 30m ahead of schedule then preceeded to depart 60m early missing out most of its wait time there.Sadly the sun wasn't quite so good but still satisfactory given the backlit nature of this location. So here is '4Z01' the 08:50 from Okehampton going to Chaddeston Sidings nr Derby.An extreemly rare 'solo' Class-50 working on the mainline in non-passenger revenue earning service.
..7 july 2017..
50008 'Thunderer' makes a rare appearance on the mainline working '4Z01' from Okehampton to Chaddeston Sidings at Derby dragging a 4-car Rail Grinder.The loco only worked as far as Birmingham-Washwood Heath from where 56303 took over for the remainder of the duty.Here seen passing Parson Street in Bristol running about 30 minutes ahead of schedule.Amazingly I arrived as it was coming under the bridge in the distance and just had enough time to grab my camera out of the bag..Close one that! and best of all the sun was shining!
..7 july 2017..
Only three lucky people were here at Malago-Vale in Bristol to witness what is probably the first revenue earning freight working '4Z01' hauled by a Class-50 in well over 25 years! BR-Blue liveried 50008 'Thunderer' with its load of a 4-section Rail-Grinder' has just passed through Parson Street in the western outskirts of Bristol.It departed Okehampton at 08:50 with a final destination of Chaddeston Sdg's at Derby.50008 was replaced with 56303 at Washwood Heath in Birmingham.
..7 july 2017..
Three Class-50's all restored into BR-Blue stand together in the yard at St Philips Marsh.50007,for so long the green 'Sir Edward Elgar' but now with its original name 'Hercules' with 50050 'Fearless' plus 50035 'Ark Royal'.All captured in the late late afternoon sun which appeared about 30 minutes before the show officially closed and the public were asked to leave.Naturally a high speed sprint around the place shooting 'Full-Sun' pictures followed.All I missed in the end was the Class-31,The Class-57/6 and a Thames-Turbo.Not too bad considering!
..02 may 2016..
With the locomotives (50007/50050) now firmly connected together again after the reversal and run round of 50007 the train '0Z51' was seconds away from departure when I grabbed this shot of the immaculate 50007 at a busy Castle-Cary Station.All four cabs of these two locomotives had at least two people in,eight in total.No doubt some of the staff from the Yeovil-Rail Centre were having one last jolly!
..13 february 2015..
Luck was on my side here today.Despite a seemingly full cloud sky the sun managed to burst through for a few seconds enabling me to grab this portrait of '0Z51' ready to depart Castle-Cary on the next leg of its journey to Birmingham via Taunton.The former 'Green Machine' 50007 looked superb in BR-Blue c/w its original 'Hercules' nameplates whilst D400/50050 was not looking quite so smart.However this EE prototype machine now seems set for a mainline future and no doubt will soon look as smart as 50007.
..13 february 2015..
Can this really be Castle-Cary on the West of England Mainline in 2015 ???? Here is D400 sitting waiting for 50007 'Hercules' to run-round and recouple to continue its journey to Birmingham via Taunton.Two out of three platforms occupied by Class-50's.For sure that hasn't happened here for at least 30 years,possibly longer.Once recoupled the pair of 50's would become '0Z51'once again.Happily the pair arrived in Washwood Heath without any problems and just 2 minutes behind schedule.Perhaps FGW should consider hiring a few 50's for the Sleeper-Service.In all fairness they couldn't be any worse than the sad machines they have on it at the moment!
..13 february 2015..
50050 or if you prefer D400 sits in Platform-2 on the down mainline here at Castle-Cary whilst the locomotive 50007 that brought it up from Yeovil-Junction has uncoupled and is in the process of running round to then proceed down to Taunton.From there after another run-round it would continue on northwards towards its destination of Washwood-Heath in Birmingham.What you see here is 1/2 of '0Z51' the 13:20 for Yeovil-Junc.Sunlight was provided by a 2 second burst amid mainly darkness and gloom.
..13 february 2015..
Today 50007 'Hercules' ran from Gloucester-Yard down to Yeovil-Junction as '0Z50' to collect 50050 (D400) and take it to its new owner (Boden-Rail Engineering) at Washwooh-Heath-Met Cam in Birmingham.Here it is running through the Platform-3 track at Castle-Cary having reversed at Signal-W682.This proceedure is because it had to travel here via Bristol and Taunton to gain access to the Yeovil route from here.For some 'Tick in the Box' reason this Loco Class is not passed to run between Trowbridge and Westbury???????????---You tell Me?
..13 february 2015..
50027 'Lion' heads the 17:00 from Alton going to Alresford.This is a very difficult railway to get decent lineside pictures on.One of the very few places is here at Bowers Grove Lane at North Street and only then in the very late afternoon when the sun has crossed over.
..06 september 2014..
50027 'Lion' doing a very impressive representation of a NSE '50' in the last few years of the operation of this Class. By that I mean it was looking quite careworn with bits missing and rust coming though in several places.Not to mention the very characteristic clouds of blue smoke as seen here shortly after it was started up ready for the days duties.In fairness it sounded pretty healthy and performed faultlessly during the day.A solid loco that has now been in preservation for well over 20 years.
..05 september 2014..
Another local resident of this preserved line managed to make an appearence in a patch of sun although as the day wore on these became increasingly rare. Large-Logo 50031 'Hood' rumbles past Foley Park on the 11:18 from Bridgenorth going to the bottom end of the line at Kidderminster.
..05 october 2013..
No apologies for a 2nd 'pull-back' shot of 50027 at North-Street.The photographic opportunities on this line are pretty dire.Also the MHR staff and adjacent landowners make you feel about as welcome as a proverbial 'Fart in a Spacesuit' Anyway here is 'Lion' again on the 10:20 from Alton to Arlesford.This is my first revisit to this line in about 10 years.Now I know why I have steered clear of the place.My next visit will probably be in a wheelchair.
..13 october 2012..
The 10:20 service from Alton to Arlesford hauled by 50027 makes light work of just 4 carriages as it climbs over the 'Alps' on the MHR. Seen at North Street between Medstead & Four Marks and Ropley.
..13 october 2012..
Today was announced as a special running day for the recently returned from the 'North Yorkshire Moors Railway' 50027 'Lion'.Here it is still in NSE colours running past North Street with the 09:30 from Arlesford going to Alton.Its 17 years since it last ran here and this is its first public passenger train here since 1994!
..13 october 2012..
For many people this was the highlight of the day! 50026 in double harness with the SVR's own 50031.Here seen at Bewdley-South with the 15:10 from Kidderminster going to Bewdley.Amazingly todays programme was still running like clockwork.Even the 50's behaving themselves!
..06 october 2012..
Large-Logo 50026 smoking nicely as it gets away from Bewdley with the 12:47 from Bridgnorth still working the wooden LNER coaching stock.
..06 october 2012..
To read all about this amazing restoration from scrapyard condition (Booths in Rotherham) clickHERE
The recently fully restored to full working order 50026 'Indomitable' draws forward from the holding sidings at Kidderminster in preperation for reversing back down into the Terminus ready to form the 10:35 departure going to Bridgnorth.Another set of superb matching stock,LNER-Teak this time.Not really very prototypical but still a lovely train-set.
..06 october 2012..
What to you get when 50044 is doing 15 mph and the HST is travelling at about 50mph? The answer is blind panic! Particularly for those in the assembled gallery (approx 25 people) going for the wider shot.Anyway it all turned out ok in the end (For me anyway).Here is 50044 with '1Z53' slowing to allow the flying FGW-HST to pass and enter Newton-Abbot first.The '50' was held for about 5 minutes until the HST had cleared the station.50044 ran quite well all the way from Cardiff to Plymouth and nearly made it back but an overheating fault rendered it a failure at Bristol and the pretty-GM 66720 had to step in and do the final few miles to Cardiff using Bristol-Parkway to effect a quick runround.The train loosing virtually no time in the process.
..21 july 2012..
After returning to Paignton from Plymouth the Railtour became a private GBrF Charter again and commenced its return to Cardiff as '1Z53'.50044 is seen leading with the GBRf-GM 66720 still clinging to the rear.Here it is at the Aller Diverence where the Paignton line runs parallel all the way into Newton-Abbot.Unseen, just out of shot was a rapidly approaching HST from Plymouth causing much panic amongst the massed photographers!
..21 july 2012..
After all the GBRf related staff and families has vacated '1Z50' at Paignton the next stage of the days proceedings '1Z51' the 12:24 from there down to Plymouth commenced.This section of the days running was open to the paying public.Here the working is seen passing Kingkerswell shortly after the train had passed the Aller Divergence heading for Plymouth.50044 leading with 66720 again nicely hidden on the rear of the train!
..21 july 2012..
A 2nd shot of 'Exeter' 50044 at Langstone Rock looking as good as new on '1Z50'.I think this is its first outing on the mainline down to Cornwall since having a major refit and repaint thankfully out of the 'Class-47' style green colour scheme it carried for several years. See HERE for when it was 2-tone green.
..21 july 2012..
Here is the reason for the longish trip down to Dawlish.An outing for the superbly restored in 'unrefurbished' style English-Electric 50044 'Exeter'.Positively gleaming at the head of a short set of Carmine/Cream Mk-1's.Thankfully in this picture the 'Child' liveried GBrF 66720 is pretty much invisible DOR.See HERE for a real eyefull for that engine! The train was '1Z50' from Cardiff going to Paignton.Nominally a private GBrF staff outing to the seaside (A good day as well) then the train was to continue on down to Plymouth running as a 2nd 'fill-in' tour to give the general public a chance to sample 50044 on the mainline.---- -------------Superb------------
..21 july 2012..
A short break in the proceeding happened when 50026 that had performed perfectly for nearly two days had a minor 'brain-fart' and failed at Norden shortly after arrival.Apparantly it was diagnosed as an 'Interlock' fault.This required steam 80104 to 'step-up' a turn whilst it was fixed. Here we can see part of the movements around Norden after removing 50026 thus enabling 80104 to get the train underway albeit 30 minutes or so late.The shunt move was undertaken by D3591 and 08436.Here shot with a long-long tele off the top of Corfe-Castle itself. ..12 may 2012..
50026 seen about to pass under the Victoria Avenue Roadbridge in the outskirts of Swanage heading south. In the estate behind the train lies the large workshops at Herston where all the main restoration work on the railways fleet of steam engines is done.Regretfully not rail connected but invaluable to the railway.
..12 may 2012..
50026 slows for the foot-crossing on the approach to Corfe-Castle Station shortly after departing Norden just out of sight about 200 yards behind the rear of the coaches.Note,unbelievably Scotland is only 1 mile from Corfe according to the signpost anyway!
..11 may 2012..
Star of this years Gala is undoubtedly 50026.Another lucky shot with the sun breaking through seconds before its arrival here at the footcrossing just north of Corfe-Castle station.Here it is heading for Norden.
..11 may 2012..
'Indomitable' 50026 eases past Woodyhyde heading north towards Corfe-Castle.
..11 may 2012..
50026 rolls slowly towards Quarr-Crossing heading for Norden after first stopping at Harmons-Cross about 1/2 an mile away.
..11 may 2012..
Long time restoration project 50026 'Indomitable' looked superb and seems to be finally working well! Here the immaculate '50' accelerates away from Harmons-Cross heading for Swanage.Thank gawd this engine was at railway! Somewhat making up for the missing visitors.
..11 may 2012..
Positively gleaming pair-50049 'Defiance' and 50044 'Exeter' rolls steadily through ST-Junc on '0Z50' from Cardiff-Canton going up to Kidderminster to work during the SVR-Diesel Gala next weekend.Shame there wasn't a couple of coaches in tow.
..03 october 2011..
D444 when it was running in the 'Class-47' look-a-like 2 tone green livery.Here it is during the 2008 Swanage Gala with a 4-coach EMU set 3417 being used as coaching stock.Pictured crossing Corfe Common with the famous Castle ruins in the background.
..11 may 2008..
Pathfinders Tour operated a trilogy of Christmas Diners Excursions for the 2003 xmas season.The 2nd of the series was cancelled but this is the 3rd which was a trip from Bristol-TM to Bristol-TM via Exeter.It was powered by 50031 and 50049 both on BR-Blue.It worked as'1Z50' which departed Bristol at 11:44 conveniently just before dinnertime! Note the Westbury Cement Works on the horizon smoking away during the manufacture of cement there.Thirteen years later this complex is gone with the chimney being razed to the ground in late 2016.
..18 december 2003..
Rail-Blue pairing 50031/50049 swing past Fishermans Crossng in the Limpley-Stoke Valley with '1Z50' from Slough going to Llandrindod Wells.Note the headboard saying 'The best type-4 by far'.Think that was stretching it a bit!
..24 august 2002..
Preserved and restored into the 'unrefurbished' style 50044 with 50031 (Just out of sight on the rear) are seen operating a Bargoed to Cardiff-Central shuttle service aimed at boosting capacity down the Rhymney-Valley during a busy Saturday whilst a big rugby match was taking place in the Capital of Wales.The train had just left Bargoed as '2D04' heading once again back down towards Cardiff.
..21 august 1999..
50149,was by this time was in preservation had been repainted to look as it did in the late 1980's when it was used for tests to see if modified 50's would be suitable for freight use as by then passenger work was in decline.Use of regeared ex-37 bogies was fine, but lack of sanding gear and ironically anti-slip equipment (removed when they were refurbished) meant the tests were not deemed a success.Here 50149 (50049) sits on display outside the OOC-Factory. ..19 march 1994..
This '50' was bought for spares and although the only thing wrong with it was a blown generator over the years was progessively stripped of spares to help other members of this Class become active again,particularly 50026.It eventually ended up at the Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway in South-Wales.It was here that the remains were finally broken up for scrap by 'Raxstar' in Jan 2002. Here 50043 'Eagle' is seen inside the running shed at Bescot looking really smart in revised NSE colours.Note the covered buffers to help prevent the pushchair brigade from getting grease on their dresses!
..30 august 1992..
'Glorious' 50033 pauses at Salisbury with a Waterloo to Exeter working.By now the stud of 50's on his route was down to 50030,50033 and 50050(D400). Most workings were 47/7's with a few 33's.
..Feb 1992..
50033 with its nameplate nicely repositioned the spell out 'Glorious' Network South East stands in Salisbury on a through service to Exeter from London-Waterloo.Note the wasteground in the left background.This within a year or so would become a brand new Depot built to maintain the 159 DMU fleet that eventually replaced all loco hauled services on NSE.The 50's only had a few weeks to go but the 47's soldiered on until the end. ..Feb 1992..
50030 'Repulse' stands in Salisbury ready to head a stopping train all the way to Waterloo.I actually rode it as far as Andover and annoyingly as we departed, 50029 came in the other direction.As it turned out that was its final duty due to an engine defect.It never ran again on the mainline. Today that loco and 50030 both reside at Rowsley on Peak-Rail.Neither are runners but at least they still survive over 20 years later.
..01 january 1992..
50030 stands in Salisbury having just arrived from Waterloo.This working used to terminate here and an hour or so later returned back to London.
..01 jan 1992..
This was the first Class-50 to be removed from service.That happened in Feb-1987 and then 50011 'Centurion' was delivered here to Crewe to be used as a test-bed to check out overhauled engines for 50's before they were sent down south to either OOC or Laira for fitting into their respective locomotives.After the class were finally all withdrawn that requirement lapsed and in Sept-1992 it was chopped up on site for scrap.
..04 july 1987..
This is '4B16' the 16:00 'Vans' from Yeovil-Pen Mill going to Bristol-Temple Meads.Note the variety of shapes and sizes of the vans on this working.An unidentified unrefurbished un-named 'Fifty' is seen passing the original junction layout at Frome Clink Road-Junction.