English Electric Archive - Class 40, Class 50 and Class 55 Deltic locomotives: Recently Added Galleries and Collections

2018 Mazey Day Cornishman

Tue, 26 Jun 2018 00:00:00 GMT

]]>50007 Hercules and 50049 Defiance at different stages during the Mazey Day Cornishman tour run by Pathfinder Tours.

The tour started at Tame Bridge Parkway behind locomotive 66149 for the first leg to Worcester. Upon arrival, this was replaced by the two Class 50s which worked the tour forward from Worcester Shrub Hill to Penzance and the return to Kidderminster to be replaced by 66152 Derek Holmes Railway Operator, a total of 631 miles for the one-day trip.

For the outward journey 50049 sported a headboard fitted in memory of Neil Morgan (known as 'Slim'). Neil had been a widely respected and extremely knowledgeable Class 50 preservationist and had played a huge part in getting them back onto the mainline.

Both locomotives masqueraded as two now-scrapped members of the class, having different TOPS numbers and nameplates fixed to one of their bodysides. 50007 temporarily sported the details of 50006 Neptune and 50049 those of 50011 Centurion. These locomotives were chosen as they had been the first two to be withdrawn and condemned back in 1987.

Date: 2018-06-23

2017 The Torbay & Dart Explorer

Tue, 26 Jun 2018 00:00:00 GMT

]]>50007 Hercules and 50049 Defiance at different stages during The Torbay and Dart Explorer tour run by Pathfinder Tours.

The tour started at Burton-on-Trent behind locomotive 66129 for the first leg to Worcester. Upon arrival, this was replaced by the two Class 50s which worked the tour forward from Worcester Shrub Hill to Kingswear and the return to Worcester, a total of 383 miles for the one-day trip.

The destination of Kingswear was reached by running over the preserved-line tracks of the Dartmouth Steam Railway.

On the outward leg the tour experienced a significant delay at Bromsgrove waiting for a replacement driver. Fortunately a spirited performance by the Class 50s ensured that the time was recovered well before the destination was reached.

Date: 2017-09-16

Other Mainline BR Classes

Tue, 26 Jun 2018 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: 2004-2018

2018 West Somerset Railway Gala

Tue, 26 Jun 2018 00:00:00 GMT

]]>50035 Ark Royal and 55019 Royal Highland Fusilier attended the June 2018 diesel gala at the West Somerset Railway. It was the first time a member of the class had attended this particular preserved railway since 2008 when 50044 Exeter and 50049 Defiance visited whilst on a railtour.

The locomotives provided turns from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead and the return.

For more pictures of these particular locomotives see the In Preservation group.

Dates: 2018-06-08

Brunswick Green

Tue, 26 Jun 2018 00:00:00 GMT

]]>At the formation of British Railways (BR) in 1948, early diesel and electric locomotives were already painted black with aluminium trim. By the late 1950s this had been superseded by a Brunswick green livery.

This collection contains an example of each class of locomotive, painted in the standard BR Brunswick green livery.

These are shortcuts to photographs that reside in groups elsewhere within this website.

Dates: 2009-2016

Other Non-Mainline BR Classes

Tue, 26 Jun 2018 00:00:00 GMT

]]>Currently there are more than 170 preserved British Rail diesel shunters (Classes 01-13) in the UK. These can usually be seen at various preserved railways across the country.

This is a pictorial record of the many classes of diesel shunters that have thankfully been saved from the cutter’s torch. For the sake of simplicity, shunters have been labelled with their last running number worn before withdrawal. For more information about preserved British Rail shunters see the Preserved Shunters or the Heritage Shunters Trust websites.

Dates: 2009-2018

Diesel-Hydraulics

Tue, 26 Jun 2018 00:00:00 GMT

]]>This collection contains photographs of classic British Rail (BR) Western Region diesel-hydraulic designs. Ultimately they were viewed by BR as complex and non-standard, although compared to many designs of the same era they were stylish, lightweight and powerful.

These are shortcuts to photographs that reside in groups elsewhere within this website.

Dates: 2005-2018

50035 Ark Royal

Tue, 26 Jun 2018 00:00:00 GMT

]]>50035 Ark Royal worked its last train in July 1990 and was withdrawn in August 1990 due to main generator damage, thereby becoming the 18th Class 50 locomotive to be withdrawn after over 22 years of active service. Its engine hours stood at 8,366.

This locomotive was the first member of the class to be preserved. It was handed over to The Fifty Fund by the CEO of Network SouthEast at the Old Oak Common depot open day in August 1991. In preparation for the event, 50035 was cleaned-up and cosmetically restored for the viewing public. The locomotive was then moved to the former British Rail depot at St Leonards where Fifty Fund members began the long job of overhauling each part.

Although the diesel set was restarted in August 1992 was another four years before it was moved to its current home at the Severn Valley Railway in September 1996. After a repaint back into British Rail large logo livery and correcting a few minor faults, 50035 appeared at the diesel gala that year. More recently the locomotive underwent a series of major repairs which involved removal of its power unit and main generator. This took several years and is now 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.

In 2007, 50035 became part of the fleet locomotives owned and operated by The Class 50 Alliance Ltd, a company formed by the merger of The Fifty Fund and Project Defiance.

Dates: 2009-2018

Modern Classes

Tue, 26 Jun 2018 00:00:00 GMT

]]>Very few locomotives are used for passenger duties on the current UK railway network; modern locomotives being used mostly for freight duties. On the odd occasion that I happen to see a modern locomotive I may take a photograph.

What is seen as boring and mundane today will invariably be viewed as interesting and sought-after in decades to come. When these are being scrapped a few may possibly be preserved by enthusiasts.

Dates: 2004-2018

2018 Severn Valley Railway Gala

Tue, 26 Jun 2018 00:00:00 GMT

]]>50007 Hercules, 50031 Hood, 50035 Ark Royal, 50049 Defiance and 55019 Royal Highland Fusilier attended the May 2018 diesel gala at the Severn Valley Railway.

The locomotives provided turns from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth and Kidderminster to Bewdley.

For more pictures of these particular locomotives see the In Preservation group.

Dates: 2018-05-17 to 2018-05-19

Recent Additions

Tue, 26 Jun 2018 00:00:00 GMT

]]>This collection contains the most recent photographs added to the archive, taken usually at the last event, railtour or preserved railway visited.

These are shortcuts to photographs that reside in groups elsewhere within this website.

Locomotive(s): Various
Event: Diesel Gala
Location: Severn Valley Railway

Date: 2018-05-17 to 2018-05-19

50049 Defiance

Tue, 26 Jun 2018 00:00:00 GMT

]]>50049 Defiance worked its last train in August 1991 and was withdrawn in August 1991 due to it needing a major scheduled exam, thereby becoming the 39th Class 50 locomotive to be withdrawn after over 22 years of active service. Its engine hours stood at 7,462.

After its withdrawal, 50049 was purchased by the Class 50 Society in December 1991. The society had been formed back in 1983 as an interest group for followers of the class. Whilst the fleet was being run-down and withdrawn, the society managed to raise sufficient funds by 1991 and form a limited company called Project Defiance to formalise the arrangements associated with the preservation and future running of the locomotive. Although 50049 was in working order when withdrawn from British Rail, some restoration work was done by society members at Laira depot. Initially, the locomotive was restored to its previously unique 50149 Railfreight livery which was completed in 1993.

Following its appearance at various open days, 50149 was moved to the West Somerset Railway in May 1994 where a heavy engine lift took place to allow the generator to be tested and cleaned, whilst the locomotive interior was refurbished and painted. More recently 50049 has worked alongside 50031 Hood on numerous railtours on the national mainline as well as service trains in South Wales.

In 2007, 50049 became part of the fleet locomotives owned and operated by The Class 50 Alliance Ltd, a company formed by the merger of The Fifty Fund and Project Defiance.

Dates: 2007-2018

Different Perspectives

Tue, 26 Jun 2018 00:00:00 GMT

]]>A few photographs where I have decided to deviate from the archetypical pose and try to capture something slightly different.

Dates: 2011-2017

Contemporary

Tue, 26 Jun 2018 00:00:00 GMT

]]>Rather surprisingly there remain a small number of heritage locomotives in use on the British national rail network. Some are operated by private or spot-hire rail operators whilst others have been reconditioned for export to Europe.

The Class 57 diesel locomotives were introduced by Brush Traction between 1997-2004. They are rebuilds of former Class 47 locomotives fitted with a refurbished EMD engine and reconditioned alternator.

Dates: 2005-2018

2018 On Hire

Tue, 26 Jun 2018 00:00:00 GMT

]]>As part of the re-modelling work at Derby, 50007 Hercules and 50049 Defiance were hired for route learning of Cross Country drivers whilst construction work was taking place.

Date: 2018-02-24 & 2018-03-16 & 2018-04-28

2018 The Cumbrian Hoovers

Tue, 26 Jun 2018 00:00:00 GMT

]]>50007 Hercules and 50049 Defiance at different stages during The Cumbrian Hoovers tour run by Pathfinder Tours.

The tour started at Birmingham International and headed north going over the famous Settle-Carlisle line. For their return journey the locomotives took an unusual route around the Cumbrian Coast, believed to be a first ever for the class, before joining the West Coast Mainline at Carnforth. They then retraced their route back to Birmingham International, a total of 474 miles for the one-day trip.

Date: 2018-04-14

Other English Electric

Tue, 26 Jun 2018 00:00:00 GMT

]]>This collection contains photographs of other locomotives produced by the English Electric company. It includes Type 1 and Type 3 diesels, electro-diesels and AC electric locomotives - British Railways Classes 20, 37, 73, 83 and 86 respectively.

These are shortcuts to photographs that reside in groups elsewhere within this website.

Dates: 2006-2018

Severn Valley Railway Diesel Shed

Tue, 26 Jun 2018 00:00:00 GMT

]]>Over the last 20 years the majority of the diesel fleet on the Severn Valley Railway has been maintained out in the open in the yard at Kidderminster.

The fleet of diesel locomotives support the day to day operation of the railway by performing many essential functions, supporting the permanent way teams, shunting stock and assisting or deputising for steam engines often at relatively short notice.

A consortium of the locomotive-owning groups and the railway itself embarked on a project to provide better facilities at Kidderminster. The culmination of this project was the construction of new diesel maintenance shed which was finally completed in early 2016.

Dates: 2016-02-19 to 2018-04-08

50031 Hood

Tue, 26 Jun 2018 00:00:00 GMT

]]>50031 Hood worked its last train in July 1991 and was withdrawn in August 1991 due to worn wheelsets, thereby becoming the 38th Class 50 locomotive to be withdrawn after over 23 years of active service. Its engine hours stood at 9,975.

After its withdrawal with only minor faults, 50031 was secured for preservation in December 1991. It is administered and operated by The Class 50 Alliance Ltd on behalf of a small group of shareholders. The locomotive was moved from Laira depot to the former British Rail depot at St Leonards in March 1992. On arrival, 50031 was inspected and started the same evening. During the early days of Class 50 preservation, 50031 was the only operational example of the class and was much in demand for open days and diesel galas at preserved railways across the country.

In 1999 50031 saw service with The Cardiff Railway Company hauling commuter trains between Rhymney and Cardiff and on special services associated with the 1999 Rugby World Cup. More recently 50031 has worked alongside 50049 Defiance on numerous railtours on the national mainline as well as service trains in South Wales.

Dates: 2005-2018

50042 Triumph

Tue, 26 Jun 2018 00:00:00 GMT

]]>50042 Triumph worked its last train in October 1990 and was withdrawn the same month due to it being surplus to requirements, thereby becoming the 23rd Class 50 locomotive to be withdrawn after over 22 years of active service. Engine hours stood at 8,049.

50042 was bought by the Bodmin & Wenford Diesel Group in November 1991. It was moved from Laira (Plymouth) depot, where it had languished since being withdrawn, to the Bodmin & Wenford Railway in March 1992.

Following repairs and overall during the 2015, 50042 was repainted in the British Rail Large Logo livery complete with a black roof. This variant of the livery had been carried by 50042 during its time with British Rail.

Dates: 2005-2017

2017 Bodmin & Wenford Railway Mini Gala

Tue, 26 Jun 2018 00:00:00 GMT

]]>50042 Triumph attended the November 2017 mini diesel gala at the Bodmin & Wenford Railway. This running day using solely 50042, was held outside the normal running season to mark the 50th anniversary of the class.

The locomotive provided turns to both Bodmin Parkway and Boscarne Junction from Bodmin General and the return throughout the day.

For more pictures of this particular locomotive see the In Preservation group.

Date: 2017-11-04

2017 Mid Hants Railway Gala

Tue, 26 Jun 2018 00:00:00 GMT

]]>50015 Valiant and 55002 The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry attended the October 2017 diesel gala at the Mid Hants Railway.

50027 worked various turns between Alreford and Alton. For much of the first day locomotive 55002 was out of service, awaiting a part to be couriered to the railway to make it operative.

For more pictures of these particular locomotives see the In Preservation group.

Date: 2017-10-21

50027 Lion

Tue, 26 Jun 2018 00:00:00 GMT

]]>50027 Lion worked its last train in July 1991 and was withdrawn the same month due to power unit damage, thereby becoming the 37th Class 50 locomotive to be withdrawn after over 23 years of active service. Its engine hours stood at 7,116.

After its withdrawal, 50027 was bought by a private individual in January 1992. Its first home in preservation was at the Mid Hants Railway. After its initial preservation, 50027 was a visitor to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway for use on fire-risk workings in 1994. It remained there for almost 17 years, having seen use in this capacity as well as at diesel galas and on additional summer workings. In 2012 it returned to the Mid Hants Railway where it now resides.

50027 is the only member of the class to have carried the revised version of the Network SouthEast livery for the whole time it has been in preservation.

Dates: 2006-2017

2017 The Caledonian

Tue, 26 Jun 2018 00:00:00 GMT

]]>50007 Hercules and 50049 Defiance at different stages during The Caledonian tour jointly run by The Railway Magazine and Pathfinder Tours.

The proceeds of The Railway Magazine’s 120th anniversary railtour were donated to the Railway Children charity, specifically its UK-based safeguarding on transport programme.

The tour recalled the days of the late 1960s and early 1970s when Anglo-Scottish expresses were hauled by AC electric locomotives as far as Crewe, to be replaced by Class 50s for the run north to Glasgow - a situation that prevailed until the West Coast Mainline (WMCL) was fully electrified in 1974.

The tour started at London Euston behind heritage AC electric locomotive 87002 Royal Sovereign for the first leg of the tour to Crewe. Upon arrival, this was replaced by the two Class 50s which worked the tour forward up the WCML from Crewe to Glagow Central and the return to Crewe, a total of 486 miles for the one-day trip.

Date: 2017-10-07

Class 40

Tue, 26 Jun 2018 00:00:00 GMT

]]>Withdrawal of the Class 40s started in 1976, when six locomotives were taken out of service. At over 130 tons, the class were considered underpowered for their size. In addition, some were found to be suffering from fractures of their bogies and spares were needed to keep other class members in traffic. Many members of the class were not fitted with train air braking, leaving them unable to haul more modern freight and passenger vehicles.

The pace of non-air brake fitted locomotives being withdrawn began to increase and by 1981 the remaining locomotives were concentrated in the London Midland region of BR. Numbers dwindled slowly until by the end of 1984 there were only thirteen class members still running. Included in this number was pioneer locomotive 40122 (previously D200), which having been withdrawn in 1981, was re-instated in mid-1983 and painted in its original green livery to haul railtours.

In addition, four locomotives were temporarily returned to service as Class 97 departmental locomotives, numbered 97405-97408. They were used to work engineering trains for the remodelling project at Crewe station. These were withdrawn by early 1987. 40122 was eventually withdrawn in 1988 and presented to the National Railway Museum. Six other locomotives were also preserved.

Dates: 1983-1985

Rail Blue

Tue, 26 Jun 2018 00:00:00 GMT

]]>In 1955 the British Transport Commission’s (BTC) unveiled a 15-year modernisation plan for British Railways (BR). A significant element of the plan was to replace steam traction across the entire national railway network.

A directive came later from the British Railways Board (BRB) to paint all BR motive power in blue. On the 9th June 1966 the transformation of the entire fleet began.

This collection contains an example of each class of locomotive, painted in the standard BR corporate blue livery.

These are shortcuts to photographs that reside in groups elsewhere within this website.

Dates: 2005-2017

50015 Valiant

Tue, 26 Jun 2018 00:00:00 GMT

]]>50015 Valiant worked its last train in November 1991 and was withdrawn the same month due to it being surplus to requirements, thereby becoming the 47th Class 50 locomotive to be withdrawn after over 25 years of active service. Engine hours stood at 10,274.

After its withdrawal, 50015 was purchased by Pete Waterman who subsequently sold it on to the Manchester Class 50 Group. Its current home is the East Lancashire Railway where it had been stored unserviceable for several years. The locomotive was sold to the Bury Valiant Group during 2007.

50015 was successfully started for the first time in 5 years. It subsequently appeared on some Santa Special services in late 2007 and more services during 2008. More recently 50015 has had some repairs and a full-repaint in British Rail large logo livery.

Dates: 2007-2017

40145

Tue, 26 Jun 2018 00:00:00 GMT

]]>40145 worked its last train in April 1983 and was withdrawn in June 1983 due to derailment damage after over 22 years of active service. It was the first locomotive of the final delivery batch that were constructed with a centrally-positioned four-character headcode box.

40145 was one of the final Class 40s to receive a general overhaul at Crewe Works in November 1980. In February 1984 the locomotive was purchased by the Class 40 Preservation Society, the first Class 40 to enter preservation.

The locomotive became mainline certified in October 2002 and has hauled numerous railtours on the national mainline. It has recently been out of traffic for a number of years with repairs to its main generator, following a traction motor flashover.

Whilst undergoing these repairs, its owners took the opportunity to repaint it in authentic British Rail corporate blue livery.

Dates: 2013-2017

40135

Tue, 26 Jun 2018 00:00:00 GMT

]]>40135 worked its last train in January 1985 and was initially withdrawn the same month due to it being surplus to requirements after over 24 years of active service. In May that year it was reinstated to departmental traffic (and renumbered 97406 in the process) for use on engineering trains for the remodelling project at Crewe station.

40135 was finally withdrawn from BR service in December 1986. The locomotive was due to be scrapped at Swindon Works but due to the Christmas period it remained at Bescot. With several groups interested in preserving the locomotive BR decided to store the locomotive at Tyseley. It was subsequently bought by the Class 40 Preservation Society in May 1988.

Dates: 2011-2017

40106

Tue, 26 Jun 2018 00:00:00 GMT

]]>40106 worked its last train in March 1983 and was withdrawn in April 1983 due to it being surplus to requirements after over 23 years of active service. It was one of 20 Class 40s built at the Robert Stephenson & Hawthorn factory in Darlington, making way for capacity at the English Electric Vulcan Foundry to build the 22 production Class 55 Deltics.

By 1978 the locomotive was among a handful of Class 40s which still had not been repainted into BR corporate blue livery. During its last works overhaul at Crewe in September 1978, the locomotive was repainted in its original green livery with full yellow ends. Being unique in this respect at the time 40106 took part in the Rocket 150 celebrations at Rainhill during 1980. It was also regularly used on railtours until being retired from regular service.

After its withdrawal, 40106 was purchased by a private individual and moved to the Great Central Railway. Whilst here it was given its original number of D306 and named Atlantic Conveyor in memory of the cargo ship and those who lost their lives in the Falklands War.

In 1990 the locomotive left the Great Central Railway and was moved to the Nene Valley Railway. In 2011 it had a complete bodywork restoration and was subsequently bought by the Class 40 Preservation Society in November 2015.

Dates: 2009-2017