Class 50s
50006 Neptune (50042)
The highlight of the 2006 Bodmin & Wenford Railway Diesel Gala on 16th / 17th September 2006 was the unveiling of ex-works Class 50 50042 Triumph, resplendent in BR Rail Blue, but wearing the identity of long scrapped sister 50006 Neptune. Built by English Electric at Newton-le-Willows on Merseyside in April 1968, she was named 'Neptune' in September 1979, and was the second Class 50 to be withdrawn in July 1987, being cut-up by Vic Berry at Leicester the following March, incredibly almost 30 years ago. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhgy_XFcSjg
50007 Hercules (D407)
On 11th June 2016, Class 50s 50007 Hercules + 50050 Fearless hauled their first passenger working on the main line in several years as they headed 'The Purbeck & Bomo Explorer' charter from Derby to Swanage and return. We see the 50s on the Waterloo route, Wareham, Corfe Common and St Denys. www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJqnz34hPPY
A pair of Class 50s return to Kingswear! Class 50s 50049 Defiance & 50007 Hercules pass Britannia Crossing double-heading the 1Z52 1615 Kingswear -Burton-on-Trent 'Torbay & Dart Explorer' on 16th September 2017. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nb_lvl1MxUs
Defiance at Defiance Platform! GBRf Class 50s 50049 Defiance + 50014 Warspite (aka 50007) pass Defiance Platform, Saltash with the 1Z50 0708 Paddington - Penzance 'Class 50 Terminator Phoenixed' railtour on 23rd March 2019. Defiance Platform was opened by the GWR in 1905 to serve the Royal Navy torpedo training school which exsisted at Wearde Quay between 1884 & 1955. The halt officially closed in 1930, but light goods and market produce continued to use the halt until 1957. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGXSXxFOfPA
GBRf Class 50s 50014 Warspite (50007) + 50049 Defiance are seen crossing Keyham Viaduct working the return 1Z53 1530 Penzance - Waterloo 'Class 50 Terminator Phoenixed' railtour on 23rd March 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPqlKpx3XvU
50008 Thunderer (D408)
A Class 50 back in the Far West! In her distinctive Laira BR Blue Departmental livery, we see 50008 Thunderer hauling the Rail Grinder at Crediton and Rewe working as the 4Z03 0800 Okehampton - Chaddesden Siding on 13th January 2018. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIXoUyyApn0
Class 50 50008 Thunderer is seen in action on the Severn Valley Railway during May 2017. Climbing Eardington Bank with a matching rake of Intercity Mk 2s, it could so easily be the early 1990s with 50008 in her 'Laira' departmental BR Blue livery, certainly one of the most perfect diesel preservation recreations in recent years! It could easily be somewhere in the West Country 30 years ago! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bw4_tSPGPA
50014 Warspite (aka 50007)
Defiance at Defiance Platform! GBRf Class 50s 50049 Defiance + 50014 Warspite (aka 50007) pass Defiance Platform, Saltash with the 1Z50 0708 Paddington - Penzance 'Class 50 Terminator Phoenixed' railtour on 23rd March 2019. Defiance Platform was opened by the GWR in 1905 to serve the Royal Navy torpedo training school which exsisted at Wearde Quay between 1884 & 1955. The halt officially closed in 1930, but light goods and market produce continued to use the halt until 1957. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGXSXxFOfPA
GBRf Class 50s 50014 Warspite (50007) + 50049 Defiance are seen crossing Keyham Viaduct working the return 1Z53 1530 Penzance - Waterloo 'Class 50 Terminator Phoenixed' railtour on 23rd March 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPqlKpx3XvU
50017 Royal Oak (D417)
Filmed from the cab of Class 50 50017 Royal Oak, we enjoy a cab ride on the Plym Valley Railway from Marsh Mills (PVR) Halt - Plym Bridge Platform on 24th August 2013, on the former Launceston branch which closed in December 1962. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCd2hwdfbyE
50019 Ramilles (D419)
Causing quite a stir, we see Class 50 50019 Ramilles on a broken down low loader lorry in Holloway Street, Exeter on 9th January 1992 as she is transported from Exeter Riverside Yard to her new home at Tunbridge Wells on the Spa Valley Railway. Taken over 25 years ago, the pictures look particularly dated now, even with the vintage Police Sierra patrol cars, which had just ceased production in favour of the new Mondeo. My late mother certainly did not appreciate being asked to stop suddenly so as I could photograph 50019 blocking a main Exeter street! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqnRsCX9HeI
50026 Indomitable (D426)
Making its preservation debut into passenger service, Class 50 50026 Indomitable, ex-works in Large Logo livery is seen on the Swanage Railway during the 2012 diesel gala. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIQelPzaPRk
50027 Lion (D427)
One of the few Network South East liveried examples, Class 50 50027 Lion is seen in action on the Mid Hants Railway on 19th August 2017. Withdrawn by NSE on 23rd July 1991, 50027 was originally purchased for preservation on the Mid Hants and arrived on the line in May 1992, but between 1994 and 2012 was based on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, before returning to the Mid Hants. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pu1YiJ6rgg
50042 Triumph (D442)
With Ben Warren driving Class 50 50042 Triumph, we enjoy a cab ride from Bodmin Parkway to Bodmin General on the Bodmin & Wenford Railway working the 1400 Bodmin Parkway - Bodmin General DEC on 13th October 2018. Listen to that 16 cylinder English Electric 16CSVT power plant! Mega!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OOpN_vpYic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OOpN_vpYic
"English Electric Day" on the Bodmin & Wenford Railway on 5th May 2018 featured the line's resident Class 37/0 37142, the first Class 37 to venture into Cornwall, and Class 50 50042 Triumph, wearing BR Large Logo livery with trademark Laira black roof. A credit to the Bodmin & Wenford and hopefully the success of this diesel gala will see further diesel days along the same lines! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iM0Nq6f1Mzk
Class 50 50042 Triumph is seen working hard over the tortous 1 in 37 gradients of the Bodmin & Wenford Railway on 2nd September 2017, vividly evoking memories of when these English Electric Type 4s worked local passenger workings on the Falmouth and Newquay branches during the 1970s and 1980s.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6F4mYCMKS0w
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6F4mYCMKS0w
Class 50 50042 Triumph was withdrawn in October 1990, and was purchased for preservation, arriving on the Bodmin & Wenford Railway in March 1992. The only working preserved Class 50 in a 200 mile radius, Triumph has now been based on the Bodmin & Wenford for a quarter of a century, and we see the former D442 hard at work on both the Boscarne Junction and Bodmin General branches during a BWR Class 50 running day on 6th August 2017, where the English Electric Type 4 tackles the line's challenging 1 in 37 gradients with ease! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15MipYjBL0Q
50042 Triumph is seen in action on the Bodmin & Wenford Railway during a normal mixed running day on Sunday 18th September 2016. We see Triumph in action tackling the testing 1 in 37 gradients on the Bodmin Parkway and Boscarne Junction branches. Lovely bit of power on the climb away from Colesloggett Halt and Westheath - many thanks to the BWR driver! www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tCJoxqme1g
Following repairs, Class 50 50042 Triumph was double-headed with 37142 on the 1620 from Bodmin Parkway on the Bodmin & Wenford. With both under power, the driver having over 4400hp at his disposal, the noise on load four as the pair climb away from Colesloggett Halt was awesome! www.youtube.com/watch?v=9H5Ifdwmtts
Class 50 50042 Triumph is seen in action on her home line of the Bodmin & Wenford Railway in Cornwall on 29th May 2016, working a traditional cornish pick-up goods. 50042 has been repainted in Large Logo livery complete with Laira Depot black roof embellishment, and illustrates a time when 50s could be seen working humble (and sometimes very short!) freights in the Royal Duchy. www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkivDCiod4o
Filmed from the cab of Class 50 50042 Triumph, we enjoy a cab ride from Bodmin General to Colesloggett Halt on the Bodmin & Wenford Railway on 25th June 2011. With thanks to the Bodmin & Wenford Railway and filmed with full permission of the crew and General Manager. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiIQprReDWo
Filmed from the cab of Class 50 50042 Triumph, we enjoy a cab ride from Colesloggett Halt to Bodmin Parkway on the Bodmin & Wenford Railway on 25th June 2011. With thanks to the Bodmin & Wenford Railway and filmed with full permission of the crew and General Manager. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21gSChtJ9GE
Filmed from the cab of Class 50 50042 Triumph, we enjoy a cab ride from Bodmin Parkway to Colesloggett Halt on the Bodmin & Wenford Railway on 25th June 2011. Classic Traction TV would like to express their thanks to the Bodmin & Wenford Railway and filmed with full permission of the crew and General Manager, Chris Hart. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1R3agvTKnE
The highlight of the 2006 Bodmin & Wenford Railway Diesel Gala on 16th / 17th September 2006 was the unveiling of ex-works Class 50 50042 Triumph, resplendent in BR Rail Blue, but wearing the identity of long scrapped sister 50006 Neptune. Built by English Electric at Newton-le-Willows on Merseyside in April 1968, she was named 'Neptune' in September 1979, and was the second Class 50 to be withdrawn in July 1987, being cut-up by Vic Berry at Leicester the following March, incredibly almost 30 years ago. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhgy_XFcSjg
50044 Exeter (D444)
Making her return to the main line on 21st July 2012, 50044 Exeter in top n' tail formation with GBRf 66720, heads a 1Z50 Cardiff - Paignton - Newton Abbot - Plymouth - Mount Gould Jct - Laira - Plymouth - Cardiff GBRF Special. The glorious sound of Exeter can be seen at Aller Vale, Aller Jct (Langford Bridge), Mount Gould Jct / Laira and climbing Hemerdon Bank. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CzabsGHlUc
50049 Defiance (D449)
A pair of Class 50s return to Kingswear! Class 50s 50049 Defiance & 50007 Hercules pass Britannia Crossing double-heading the 1Z52 1615 Kingswear -Burton-on-Trent 'Torbay & Dart Explorer' on 16th September 2017. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nb_lvl1MxUs
Defiance at Defiance Platform! GBRf Class 50s 50049 Defiance + 50014 Warspite (aka 50007) pass Defiance Platform, Saltash with the 1Z50 0708 Paddington - Penzance 'Class 50 Terminator Phoenixed' railtour on 23rd March 2019. Defiance Platform was opened by the GWR in 1905 to serve the Royal Navy torpedo training school which exsisted at Wearde Quay between 1884 & 1955. The halt officially closed in 1930, but light goods and market produce continued to use the halt until 1957. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGXSXxFOfPA
GBRf Class 50s 50014 Warspite (50007) + 50049 Defiance are seen crossing Keyham Viaduct working the return 1Z53 1530 Penzance - Waterloo 'Class 50 Terminator Phoenixed' railtour on 23rd March 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPqlKpx3XvU
GBRf 50049 Defiance passes Hemerdon Loop and rounds Venton Curve working the retimed 5Z50 1400 Laira T&RSMD - Long Marston withdrawn HST trailer ECS move on 3rd December 2019.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdCXU2G5f2g
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdCXU2G5f2g
50050 Fearless (D400)
On 11th June 2016, Class 50s 50007 Hercules + 50050 Fearless hauled their first passenger working on the main line in several years as they headed 'The Purbeck & Bomo Explorer' charter from Derby to Swanage and return. We see the 50s on the Waterloo route, Wareham, Corfe Common and St Denys. www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJqnz34hPPY