View source for British Rail Class 50

{{short description|Class of diesel electric locomotives}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2013}}
{{Infobox locomotive
|name = English Electric Type 4<br />British Rail Class 50
|powertype = Diesel-electric
|image = File:50014 at Birmingham New Street 2.jpg
|caption = A Class 50 at {{rws|Birmingham New Street}} in 1987
|alt =
|fleetnumbers = D400–D449; later 50001–50050
|totalproduction = 50
|builder = [[English Electric]] at [[Vulcan Foundry]]
|builddate = 1967–1968
|gauge = {{RailGauge|ussg|allk=on}}
|primemover = [[English Electric diesel engines|English Electric]] 16 CSVT
|enginetype = {{convert|246|L|cuin}} [[Diesel engine]]
|generator =
|tractionmotors = 6 [[English Electric]] type 538/5A axle-hung nose-suspended {{convert|400|hp|abbr=on}} traction motors
|Britishclass = [[Co-Co locomotives|Co-Co]]
|uicclass = Co′Co′
|wheeldiameter = {{convert|3|ft|7|in|m|3|abbr=on}}
|minimumcurve =
|trainbrakes = [[Vacuum brake#Dual brakes|Dual]] ([[Railway airbrake|Air]] and [[Vacuum brake|Vacuum]])
|locobrakeforce =
|wheelbase = {{convert|56|ft|2|in|m|2|abbr=on}}
|length = {{convert|68|ft|6|in|m|2|abbr=on}}
|width = {{convert|8|ft|10|in|m|2|abbr=on}}
|height = {{convert|12|ft|9|in|m|2|abbr=on}}
|locoweight = {{convert|115|LT|t ST|sigfig=3|lk=on}}
|maxspeed = {{convert|100|mph|km/h|abbr=on|0}}
|poweroutput = ''Engine:'' {{convert|2700|bhp|-1|abbr=on}}
|tractiveeffort = ''Maximum:'' {{convert|48500|lbf|kN|sigfig=3|abbr=on|lk=on}}<br>''Continuous:'' {{convert|33000|lbf|sigfig=3|abbr=on}}@ {{convert|23.5|mph|km/h|sigfig=3|abbr=on}}
|fuelcap = {{convert|1540|impgal|abbr=on}}
|trainheating = [[Head end power|Electric Train Heat]]
|multipleworking = <span style="color:darkorange;">■</span> Orange Square
|axleloadclass = [[Route availability]] 6
|operator = [[British Rail]]
|axleload = {{convert|19|LT|10|Lcwt|t ST}}
|cylindercount = [[V16 engine|16]]
|nicknames = ''[[Vacuum cleaner|Hoovers]]''
|withdrawndate = 1987–1994
|disposition= 18 preserved, remainder scrapped
}}
The '''British Rail Class 50''' is a class of diesel locomotives designed to haul express passenger trains at {{convert|100|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}. Built by [[English Electric]] at the [[Vulcan Foundry]] in [[Newton-le-Willows]] between 1967 and 1968, the Class 50s were initially on a 10-year lease from English Electric Leasing, and were employed hauling express passenger trains on the then non-electrified section of the [[West Coast Main Line]] between [[Crewe railway station|Crewe]] and Scotland. Initially numbered D400–D449 and known as English Electric Type 4s, the locomotives were purchased outright by [[British Rail]] (BR) at the end of the lease and became Class 50 in the [[TOPS]] renumbering of 1973.

The class gained the nickname "Hoovers" because of the noise made by the clean air plant at the No. 2 end, prior to refurbishment, which was likened to that of a vacuum cleaner, a name believed given to them by the staff at Paddington Station.<ref name=power>{{cite book |last=Cotter |first=Jarrod |year=2017 |title=English Electric Class 50 1967 Onwards (all models) Owner's Workshop Manual |publisher=Haynes Publishing |location=Sparkford, Somerset |page=1 |isbn=978-1-78521-060-0}}</ref> Once the electrification from Crewe to Glasgow was completed the locomotives were moved to the Great Western Main Line (GWML) out of Paddington to allow the retirement of most of the remaining [[diesel-hydraulic locomotive]]s then in use. As trains on the GWML steadily moved to [[InterCity 125|High Speed Train]] operation from 1976, the Class 50s moved to hauling trains between [[London Waterloo railway station|London Waterloo]] and [[Exeter St Davids railway station|Exeter St Davids]], and also trains from [[Paddington railway station|London Paddington]] to [[Hereford railway station|Hereford]] and [[Worcester Foregate Street railway station|Worcester]] via [[Oxford railway station|Oxford]] until the majority of those trains too were taken over by IC125 operation. The class was steadily retired from service in the late 1980s and early 1990s as their services moved to operation by [[British railcars and diesel multiple units#Second Generation DMUs|second-generation]] [[British Rail Class 159|Class 159]] DMUs.

== Description ==

=== Development ===

The origins of the Class 50 lie in an invitation from the [[British Transport Commission]] (BTC) to manufacturers to produce a design for a lightweight [[List of British Rail power classifications|Type 4]] [[diesel locomotive]] with a gross power output of at least 2,500&nbsp;hp.<ref>{{cite book | last =Clough | first =David N | title =Hydraulic vs Electric: The battle for the BR diesel fleet | publisher =Ian Allan | date =2011 | location =Hersham | pages =100 | isbn =978-0-7110-3550-8}}</ref> In order to produce a prototype quickly, [[English Electric#Railways|English Electric]] based their design on that for their [[British Rail Class 55|Deltic]] locomotives which were then in production. Unlike the Deltics, this design was powered by a single engine, the [[English Electric diesel engines|16CSVT]], a development of the 16SVT used in the [[British Rail Class 40|Class 40]] locomotives. Parts related to the contemporary [[British Rail Class 37|Class 37s]] were also used. The result was [[British Rail DP2|DP2]], a 2,700&nbsp;hp Diesel-electric locomotive weighing 105 tons and with a top speed of 100&nbsp;mph.<ref>{{cite book | last =Clough | first =David N | title =Hydraulic vs Electric: The battle for the BR diesel fleet | publisher =Ian Allan | date =2011 | location =Hersham | pages =101 | isbn =978-0-7110-3550-8}}</ref>

However, before the prototype could be completed, English Electric's design was rejected by the BTC, primarily on the grounds that the 16CSVT was unproven, and doubted its ability to produce the required power levels. Even after the delivery of DP2 in May 1962, any hope of future orders seemed over with the BTC's decision to standardise its Type 4 fleet on the [[Brush Traction|Brush]]-[[Sulzer (manufacturer)|Sulzer]] [[British Rail Class 47|Class 47]] design.

The DP2 design earned a reprieve in 1965, when the National Traction Plan of that year identified a need for an additional 50 Type 4 locomotives. By this time the Class 47 fleet were starting to suffer serious problems with engine stress cracking,<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.railmagazine.com/news/network/why-the-50s-triumphed-in-class-struggle |title=Why the '50s' triumphed in class struggle |magazine=Rail Magazine |access-date=31 December 2018 |archive-date=1 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190101100351/https://www.railmagazine.com/news/network/why-the-50s-triumphed-in-class-struggle |url-status=live }}</ref> a problem which necessitated the derating of the fleet to 2,580&nbsp;hp. At the same time, DP2 and its 16CSVT engine had proved far more reliable than expected. Negotiations took place with English Electric for a production batch of 50 locomotives for use on the [[Eastern Region of British Railways|Eastern Region]].<ref>{{cite magazine | last =Marsden | first =Colin J | title =Design and Building | magazine =Modern Railways Pictorial Profile | issue =4: Class 50s | page =4 | publisher =Ian Allan | location =Shepperton | issn =0264-3642}}</ref> English Electric intended to build the new batch as similar to DP2 as possible<ref name=MRP5>{{cite magazine | last =Marsden | first =Colin J | title =Design and Building | magazine =Modern Railways Pictorial Profile | issue =4: Class 50s | page =5 | publisher =Ian Allan | location =Shepperton | issn =0264-3642}}</ref> but the [[British Railways Board]] (successor to the BTC) had produced a standard locomotive cab with a flat front and headcode box and also had specific requirements relating to the engine room and other equipment. English Electric produced several alternative front-end designs including one with a wrap-around windscreen<ref name=MRP5 /> but the standard front-end design was eventually adopted for the class.

=== Production ===
[[File:Annual Welsh Black Cattle Society Sale at Perth, Scotland October 1973 (1568544).jpg|thumb|left|D438 (later 50038) at [[Carlisle Citadel station]] in October 1973]]
The complete production run of 50 locomotives was built in just over a year and numbered from D400 to D449. D400 entered service in October 1967 and deliveries were completed with D449 in November 1968.<ref>{{cite book | last =Chalcraft | first =John | title =Portrait of the 50s | publisher =Rail Photoprints | date =1985 | location =Bristol | pages =1 | isbn =0-906883-07-5}}</ref> Unusually, the ownership of the locomotives remained with the manufacturer and they were operated by British Rail on a 10-year lease which included certain stipulations relating to availability.<ref name=power /> The D prefix was quickly dropped for all diesel engines after steam was banned from British Rail's mainline in 1968. The Class 50 engines were numbered as 400 to 449 from 1969 to 1974.

== Service ==
{| class="wikitable floatright"
|+Distribution of locomotives,<br />March 1974<ref>{{cite book |title=British Railways Locoshed Book 1974 edition |year=1974 |publisher=[[Ian Allan Publishing|Ian Allan]] |location=Shepperton |isbn=0-7110-0558-3 |page=53 }}</ref>
|-
|colspan=3 |{{Location map+ |England|width=220 |caption= |places=
 {{Location map~|England|lat_deg=51.4461 |lon_deg=-2.5792 |label=BR |link=Bristol Bath Road depot |marksize=9 |pos ition= }}
 {{Location map~|England|lat_deg=53.0847 |lon_deg=-2.4312 |label=CD |link=Crewe Diesel TMD |marksize=16 |position= }}
}}
|-
!Code ||Name ||Quantity
|-
|style="text-align:center" |BR ||[[Bristol Bath Road depot|Bristol Bath Road]] ||style="text-align:right" |8
|-
|style="text-align:center" |CD ||[[Crewe Diesel TMD|Crewe Diesel]] ||style="text-align:right" |42
|-
!colspan=2 scope=row |Total:
|style="text-align:right" |50
|}
The class was built for working passenger services on the [[West Coast Main Line]] (WCML) north of {{stnlnk|Crewe}}, to {{stnlnk|Preston}}, {{stnlnk|Lancaster}}, [[Carlisle railway station|Carlisle]], {{stnlnk|Glasgow Central}} and [[Perth railway station, Scotland|Perth]], occasionally reaching as far north as Aberdeen. Services south of Crewe would generally be worked by an [[electric locomotive]], with the Class 50s taking over for the journeys that continued north.<ref name=":1">{{cite book | last = Clough| first = David | title = Class 50s in Operation | publisher = Ian Allan Publishing | year = 2004 | location = Hersham | isbn = 0-711029-71-7 }}{{page needed|date=September 2014}}</ref> Initially trains were hauled by a single locomotive, but from May 1970 they were paired on 8 out of 34 locomotive diagrams covering Anglo-Scottish services north of Crewe,<ref>{{cite magazine| last = Perren| first = Brian| title = Five years "under the wire" – 2| magazine = [[Railway World]]| location = Shepperton| publisher = Ian Allan| publication-date = December 1971| volume = 32| issue = 379| pages = 528–531}}</ref> allowing greatly accelerated timings to be applied (including a six-hour schedule for the "Royal Scot" London Euston-Glasgow Central and v.v. service). Once the electric service was introduced as far as Preston in 1973, this double-heading by Class 50s transferred there, although poor availability often resulted in single-heading with consequent delays. The ability to operate using [[multiple working]] had been part of the locomotive's initial design brief, but only two of the class had the facility from new, but with the introduction of the regular double headed duties, this facility was fitted to the whole class.<ref name=":1" />

[[File:BR 50010.jpg|thumb|left|50010 at Reading General in 1974]]
By 1974 the northern WCML was electrified, and the Class 50 fleet was displaced by new [[British Rail Class 87|Class 87]] electrics. The fleet was transferred to the [[Western Region of British Railways|Western Region]] between 1972 and 1976, working mainline passenger services from [[Paddington railway station|London Paddington]] along the [[Great Western Main Line]] (GWML) to destinations such as {{stnlnk|Oxford}}, [[Bristol Temple Meads railway station|Bristol Temple Meads]], {{stnlnk|Plymouth}} and {{stnlnk|Penzance}}.<ref name=":1" /> It was not unusual for locomotives to work services on other routes, such as the [[Birmingham New Street railway station|Birmingham New Street]] to Bristol Temple Meads corridor. The introduction of the Class 50s on these routes enabled the last remaining, non-standard, [[Diesel-hydraulic|diesel hydraulic]] [[British Rail Class 52|"Westerns"]] to be withdrawn.<ref name=":1" />

[[File:Dauntless naming.jpg|thumb|right|50048 ''Dauntless'' naming ceremony at Reading,1978]]
In the late-1970s, following a period where the policy of locomotive naming had been abandoned, BR was persuaded to name the class 50s after [[Royal Navy]] ships with notable records in [[World War I]] and [[World War II|II]]. As a result, the first locomotive naming occurred in January 1978, when 50035 was named ''Ark Royal'' by the captain and crew of then current [[aircraft carrier]] [[HMS Ark Royal (R09)|HMS ''Ark Royal'']]. The rest of the fleet was named during the course of the next few years.

From 1977, British Rail introduced [[InterCity 125]]s onto the Great Western Main Line which began the displacement of the Class 50 fleet onto other routes, such as services to [[Birmingham New Street railway station|Birmingham New Street]] from London Paddington and Bristol Temple Meads. The class also found work on the [[West of England Main Line]] from [[London Waterloo railway station|London Waterloo]] to {{stnlnk|Salisbury}}, [[Exeter St Davids railway station|Exeter]] and {{stnlnk|Plymouth}}. However, due in part to the over-complexity of the design, the class was plagued with reliability problems which resulted in frequent service failures and cancellations. As a result, the decision was taken in the late 1970s to refurbish the entire fleet.<ref name=":1" />

== Refurbishment ==
To deal with increasing reliability problems, the Class 50 fleet was refurbished at [[Doncaster railway works|Doncaster Works]] between 1979 and 1983. Doncaster had taken responsibility for the fleet after BR completed the purchase of the locomotives from English Electric. The work involved simplifying the complex electronics and removing redundant features such as slow speed control and rheostatic braking.<ref name=":1" /> In addition, the air intake fan arrangement was modified, because the original setup often prevented fresh air from entering the engine room and stale, oil mist-filled air from escaping, leading to many main generator failures. This was in part due to the moisture in the air in the UK: dust and other particles would lodge in the filter system and become 'gummed up' with moisture, preventing circulation which in turn also hampered the intended engine compartment pressure levels which then meant 'filtered' air could not be evacuated by the intended means. The filtration system was fundamentally sound and widely used in other countries; the problems arose because relative humidity had not been taken into account at the design stage.<ref>{{citation |title=English Electric Traction for Egypt – EE Co Publicity Document E438 |year=1961 |publisher=English Electric}}</ref> This modification eliminated the characteristic droning "sucking" noise which had earned the "Hoover" nickname.<ref name=":1" />

Externally, the locomotives all received high-intensity headlights, which changed the appearance of the front end. Starting with 50006, the first six refurbished locomotives were outshopped in the standard BR Blue livery. However, 50006 ''Neptune'' and 50017 ''Royal Oak'' initially ran with blanking plates covering the headlight apertures, prior to headlights becoming available.<ref name=":1" /> In August 1980, 50023 ''Howe'' became the first to be outshopped in a revised livery with wrap around yellow cabs, black cab window surrounds, grey roof, large bodyside numerals and BR logo, in a livery that became known as [[Rail Blue|BR Large Logo Blue]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Class 50 The Large Logo Years |first=Ian |last=Horner |year=2013}}</ref> The final loco to be refurbished was 50014 ''Warspite'', which was released back into traffic in December 1983. The last member of the class to be painted from original plain blue into the Large Logo blue livery was 50013 ''Agincourt'', following release from an intermediate overhaul at Doncaster in September 1984.<ref name=":1" />

[[File:Morning express crossing Penadlake viaduct - geograph.org.uk - 1938643.jpg|thumb|left|50043 ''Eagle'' hauling the morning express across the [[Cornwall Railway viaducts#Penadlake|Penadlake viaduct]] on 29 August 1987]]
Following refurbishment, the fleet was concentrated at two depots; [[Laira TMD|Laira]] in Plymouth, and [[Old Oak Common TMD|Old Oak Common]] in west [[London]]. The class were again used for Western Region services on the GWML out of Paddington, and on the West of England Main Line from Waterloo to [[Salisbury, Wiltshire|Salisbury]] and Exeter.<ref name=":1" />

In 1984, 50007 ''Hercules'' was repainted into lined [[Brunswick green]] livery and renamed ''[[Sir Edward Elgar]]'', to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the [[Great Western Railway]] (GWR). Four [[British Rail Class 47|Class 47]] locomotives were similarly treated, and a [[British Rail Class 117|Class 117]] [[diesel multiple unit]] (DMU) was repainted in chocolate and cream livery. As a result, 50007 quickly became a favourite with [[railfan|rail enthusiasts]]. Another locomotive repainted in a special livery was 50019 ''Ramillies'', which was repainted in a variation of BR Blue by staff at Plymouth Laira depot.

[[File:BR 50026.jpg|thumb|50026 ''Indomitable'' in early [[Network SouthEast|NSE]] livery at [[Reading railway station|Reading]], 1989]]
In 1986 the West of England Main Line came under the control of the [[Network SouthEast]] (NSE) sector, which saw the introduction of their bright blue, red and white livery. Two locomotives were repainted ready for the launch day on 10 June 1986, 50023 ''Howe'' and 50017 ''Royal Oak''. In NSE livery, the nameplates were moved to a higher bodyside position. 50017 was the only member of the class to have one nameplate moved to an incorrect position, above the NSE branding, something which has been replicated in preservation. The third class member to be painted in the NSE scheme was 50035 "Ark Royal". Following an intermediate overhaul at Doncaster, the loco was released painted in grey primer, and worked a service train back to the Western Region as far as Bristol on 15 July 1986, prior to running to Old Oak Common depot for the NSE livery to be applied.  The NSE livery had three versions; the original had upswept red, white and grey stripes at the ends, with white cab window surrounds, and a black roof; the first revision which came in 1987 had the red and white stripes continue to the body ends, with blue cab window surrounds, the original shade of blue was retained, 50044 ''Exeter'' and 50050 ''Fearless'' being the first two treated. The second revision and third variation of the NSE livery appeared in 1989, when the blue became a darker shade, 50043 ''Eagle'' and 50023 ''Howe'', being the first two to appear. In 1990, Old Oak Common depot painted 50033 "Glorious" in NSE livery, and left the nameplates in their original position, so that the result read "Glorious Network SouthEast". To summarise, twenty-nine Class 50s received NSE livery, 50017 ''Royal Oak'' and 50048 ''Dauntless'' were the only locomotives to be painted in all three variations.<ref name=":1" />

Towards the end of the 1980s, the fleet could be found mostly on the West of England route, as well as fast services from Paddington to Oxford. Some locomotives were also transferred to the civil engineers department to work maintenance and engineering trains. Around this time, the first locomotives were withdrawn, starting with 50011 ''Centurion'' in early 1987. This locomotive's nameplates were later transferred to 50040, which was previously named ''Leviathan''. A further two locomotives, 50006 ''Neptune'' and 50014 ''Warspite'' were withdrawn in 1987, followed by a further five locomotives in 1988 (50010/13/22/38/47).<ref name=":1" />

In 1987, consideration was given to using the class on freight trains. To this end, 50049 ''Defiance'' was renumbered to 50149, equipped with modified Class 37, lower-geared bogies and outshopped in the new trainload grey livery with Railfreight General decals. It was based at [[Laira|Plymouth Laira]] depot, and tested on local [[Kaolinite|china clay]] trains in [[Cornwall]] as well as heavy stone trains to London from Devon quarries.<ref name=":1" /> The project was, however, not an outstanding success and by 1989 the locomotive had been returned to its original identity. Ironically, the electronic anti-[[Locomotive wheelslip|wheelslip]] equipment, with which the entire class had originally been built and which would have been key to the success of this experiment, had been removed during the refurbishment process.<ref name=":1" />

[[File:BR 50044.jpg|thumb|left|50044 ''Exeter'' in Network South East livery at London Waterloo]]
At the start of the 1990s, the reliability of the fleet became a problem again. By this time, the class was solely used on the West of England route, having been replaced on the Oxford route by Class 47/4 locomotives, displaced from Railfreight Distribution after the collapse of Speedlink in 1991. Arguably, the Class 50s were not suitable for the stop-start service pattern of Waterloo-Exeter services, nor to the extended single-line sections of this route, where a single locomotive failure could cause chaos. Therefore, the decision was taken to retire the remainder of the fleet, temporarily replacing them with Class 47/7 locomotives,<ref name=":1" /> which were in turn replaced by new [[diesel multiple unit]]s. From 1992, the Oxford route was worked by [[British Rail Class 165|Class 165]] and [[British Rail Class 166|Class 166]] units, whilst [[British Rail Class 159|Class 159]] units were introduced onto the West of England route in 1993.

[[File:BR 50 007.jpg|thumb|50007 ''Sir Edward Elgar'' at Bournemouth Open Day, 1992]]
By 1992, just eight locomotives remained in service, these being 50007/008/015/029/030/033/046/050. Several of these locomotives were specially repainted to commemorate the run-down of the fleet. The first-built locomotive, 50050 ''Fearless'' was renumbered D400 and painted in its original BR Blue livery. Two other locomotives, 50008 ''Thunderer'' and 50015 ''Valiant'' were also repainted, the former in a variation of BR Blue (the same as 50019 had previously carried), and the latter in "Dutch" civil-engineers grey/yellow livery. Of the final eight locomotives, three were retained until 1994 for use on special railtours, these being 50007 ''Sir Edward Elgar'', 50033 ''Glorious'' and 50050 ''Fearless''. 50007 was returned to working order using parts from 50046, which surrendered its recently overhauled power unit and bogies. By this time, 50050 had been repainted into Large Logo livery and 50007 also received a repaint into GWR green as the 1985 paint was wearing very thin. The final railtours operated in March 1994, during one of which 50033 was delivered for preservation at the [[National Railway Museum]].<ref>{{cite AV media |title=Class 50 Finale - The Laira Years |publisher=Locomaster Profiles |year=2010 |format=DVD |url=https://www.wolvertonrail.com/acatalog/Locomotive-Class-Profiles.html |access-date=12 September 2024 |archive-date=3 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190603060157/https://www.wolvertonrail.com/acatalog/Locomotive-Class-Profiles.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The final railtour operated with 50007 and 50050 from London Waterloo to Penzance and returning to London Paddington. Both locomotives were later preserved.

==Accidents and incidents==
* On 23 November 1983, a sleeper train hauled by 50 041 ''Bulwark'' was derailed on the approach to {{rws|Paddington}} due to excessive speed through a crossover. Three of the seventy passengers were injured.<ref name=Times241180>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Eleven coaches derailed in Paddington sleeper crash |first=David |last=Nicholson-Lord |date=24 November 1983 |page=32 |issue=61698 |column=B-F }}</ref><ref name=DotPad83>{{cite book |url=http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/documents/DoT_Paddington1983.pdf |title=Report of the derailment that occurred on 23rd November 1983 at Paddington Station |author=Department of Transport |date=18 February 1985 |publisher=Her Majesty's Stationery Office |isbn=0-11-550686-1 |access-date=18 June 2016 |archive-date=30 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130630100922/http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/documents/DoT_Paddington1983.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
* On 6 August 1989, 50025 ''Invincible'' was derailed at [[West Ealing railway station|West Ealing]] whilst hauling the 21:15 Oxford to Paddington service. The cause was a length of rail that vandals had placed across the track. There were no fatalities and the locomotive was subsequently scrapped in October that year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/eventsummary.php?eventID=8945 |title=Accident at West Ealing in August 1989 |website=Railways Archive |access-date=17 November 2017 |archive-date=2 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502010740/https://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/eventsummary.php?eventID=8945 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Fleet list==
{{More citations needed|section|date=August 2022}}
{| class="wikitable"
!Key:
|Scrapped
|bgcolor=#deebfc|Preserved
|}

{|class="wikitable sortable collapsible"
|-
!colspan=2|Number
!rowspan=2|Name<ref>{{cite web |title=Class 50 Locomotive Names |url=http://www.class50.com/c50_intro.php?pf=names |publisher=Class50.com |access-date=2 October 2010 |archive-date=26 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100926084100/http://www.class50.com/c50_intro.php?pf=names |url-status=live }}</ref>
!rowspan=2|Built
!rowspan=2|Named
!rowspan=2|Withdrawn
!rowspan=2|Status
!rowspan=2|Notes
|- style="text-align:center;"
!Pre-TOPS
!TOPS
|-bgcolor=#deebfc
| D400 || 50050 || [[HMS Fearless (L10)|''Fearless'']] || 17.10.67 || 23.08.78 || 26.03.94 || Preserved
| Carried nameplate 04.08.78 – 07.08.78. Now owned by Boden Rail Engineering Ltd.
|-
| D401 || 50001 || [[HMS Dreadnought|''Dreadnought'']] || 09.12.67 || 10.04.78 || 19.04.91 || Scrapped
| Scrapped at [[C F Booth|Booth-Roe scrapyard]], [[Rotherham]] in December 2002.
|-bgcolor=#deebfc
| D402 || 50002 || [[HMS Superb|''Superb'']] || 12.67 || 21.03.78 || 09.09.91 || Preserved
| Preserved by the Devon Diesel Society. It is currently being restored at the [[South Devon Railway (heritage railway)|South Devon Railway]] in [[Buckfastleigh]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.devondiesels.org.uk/|title=Devon Diesel Society – Locos D2246, D6737 and D402|website=devondiesels.org.uk|access-date=16 October 2018|archive-date=13 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240913000223/https://www.devondiesels.org.uk/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| D403 || 50003 || [[HMS Temeraire (1907)|''Temeraire'']] || 01.68 || 09.05.78 || 15.07.91 || Scrapped
| Scrapped at [[MC Metals]] scrapyard, [[Glasgow]] in April 1992.
|-
| D404 || 50004 || [[HMS St Vincent (1908)|''St Vincent'']] || 12.67 || 09.05.78 || 22.06.90 || Scrapped
| Scrapped at [[C F Booth|Booth-Roe scrapyard]], [[Rotherham]] in May 1992.
|-
| D405 || 50005 || [[HMS Collingwood (1908)|''Collingwood'']] || 01.68 || 05.04.78 || 11.12.90 || Scrapped
| Scrapped at [[Old Oak Common TMD]], [[London]] in February 1991.
|-
| D406 || 50006 || [[HMS Neptune (1909)|''Neptune'']] || 04.68 || 25.09.79 || 20.07.87 || Scrapped
| First Class 50 to be refurbished. Scrapped at [[Vic Berry|Vic Berry's scrapyard]], [[Leicester]] in February–March 1988.
|-bgcolor=#deebfc
| D407 || 50007 || [[HMS Hercules (1910)|''Hercules'']] || 03.68 || 06.04.78 || 16.07.91 / 26.03.94 || Preserved
| Renamed ''[[Sir Edward Elgar]]'' on 25.02.84. Originally withdrawn in 1991. Reinstated for railtour use in 1992. Renamed back to ''Hercules'' in early 2014. Now owned by Class 50 Alliance.<ref name=Cl50_Alliance />
|-bgcolor=#deebfc
| D408 || 50008 || [[HMS Thunderer (1911)|''Thunderer'']] || 03.68 || 01.09.78 || 05.06.92 || Active
| Owned by Hanson & Hall Rail Solutions, returned to mainline in June 2021
|-
| D409 || 50009 || [[HMS Conqueror (S48)|''Conqueror'']] || 03.68 || 08.05.78 || 11.01.91 || Scrapped
| Scrapped at [[Old Oak Common TMD]], [[London]] in February 1991.
|-
| D410 || 50010 || [[HMS Monarch (1911)|''Monarch'']] || 03.68 || 16.03.78 || 27.09.88 || Scrapped
| Scrapped at [[Laira TMD]], [[Plymouth]] by Coopers in May 1992.
|-
| D411 || 50011 || [[HMS Centurion (1892)|''Centurion'']] || 04.68 || 17.09.79 || 24.02.87 || Scrapped
| First Class 50 to be withdrawn. Scrapped at [[Crewe Works]] by Texas Metals in September 1992.
|-
| D412 || 50012 || [[HMS Benbow (1913)|''Benbow'']] || 04.68 || 03.04.78 || 16.01.89 || Scrapped
| Scrapped at [[Vic Berry|Vic Berry's scrapyard]], [[Leicester]] in July 1989.
|-
| D413 || 50013 || [[HMS Agincourt|''Agincourt'']] || 04.68 || 19.04.78 || 06.04.88 || Scrapped
| Scrapped at [[Old Oak Common TMD]], [[London]] in July 1989.
|-
| D414 || 50014 || [[HMS Warspite (S103)|''Warspite'']] || 05.68 || 30.05.78 || 14.12.87 || Scrapped
| Scrapped at [[Vic Berry|Vic Berry's scrapyard]], [[Leicester]] in May–July 1989.
|-bgcolor=#deebfc
| D415 || 50015 || [[HMS Valiant (S102)|''Valiant'']] || 04.68 || 21.04.78 || 05.06.92 || Preserved
| Owned by the Bury Valiant Group.
|-
| D416 || 50016 || [[HMS Barham (04)|''Barham'']] || 05.68 || 03.04.78 || 03.08.90 || Scrapped
| Scrapped at [[C F Booth|Booth-Roe scrapyard]], [[Rotherham]] in June 1992.
|-bgcolor=#deebfc
| D417 || 50017 || [[HMS Royal Oak (08)|''Royal Oak'']] || 04.68 || 24.04.78 || 09.09.91 || Preserved
| Owned by Michael Gregory, [[Great Central Railway (heritage railway)|Great Central Railway]] as of February 2019.
|-
| D418 || 50018 || [[HMS Resolution (S22)|''Resolution'']] || 04.68 || 06.04.78 || 22.07.91 || Scrapped
| Scrapped at [[MC Metals]] scrapyard, [[Glasgow]] in January 1993.
|-bgcolor=#deebfc
| D419 || 50019 || [[HMS Ramillies (07)|''Ramillies'']] || 05.68 || 18.04.78 || 19.09.90 || Preserved
| Owned by the Class 50 Locomotive Association, [[Mid Norfolk Railway]].
|-
| D420 || 50020 || [[HMS Revenge (S27)|''Revenge'']] || 05.68 || 07.07.78 || 27.07.90 || Scrapped
| Scrapped at [[C F Booth|Booth-Roe scrapyard]], [[Rotherham]] in June 1992.
|-bgcolor=#deebfc
| D421 || 50021 || [[HMS Rodney (29)|''Rodney'']] || 05.68 || 31.07.78 || 17.04.90 || Preserved
| Owned by Paul Spracklen, [[Eastleigh Works]].
|-
| D422 || 50022 || [[HMS Anson (79)|''Anson'']] || 05.68 || 20.04.78 || 20.09.88 || Scrapped
| Scrapped at [[Vic Berry|Vic Berry's scrapyard]], [[Leicester]] in May–June 1989.
|-
| D423 || 50023 || [[HMS Howe (32)|''Howe'']] || 06.68 || 17.05.78 || 15.10.90 || Scrapped
| Scrapped at [[Barrow Hill Engine Shed|Barrow Hill]], [[Chesterfield, Derbyshire|Chesterfield]] in March 2004.
|-
| D424 || 50024 || [[HMS Vanguard (23)|''Vanguard'']] || 06.68 || 15.05.78 || 01.02.91 || Scrapped
| Scrapped at [[Old Oak Common TMD]], [[London]] in July 1991.
|-
| D425 || 50025 || [[HMS Invincible (1907)|''Invincible'']] || 07.68 || 06.06.78 || 14.08.89 || Scrapped
| Scrapped at [[Old Oak Common TMD]] in October 1989, after derailment at {{stnlnk|West Ealing}} in August 1989. The derailment was a result of vandals placing an object onto the track, causing the loco to overturn.
|-bgcolor=#deebfc
| D426 || 50026 || [[HMS Indomitable (92)|''Indomitable'']] || 07.68 || 29.03.78 || 11.12.90 || Preserved
| Owned by Paul Spracklen.
|-bgcolor=#deebfc
| D427 || 50027 || [[HMS Lion (C34)|''Lion'']] || 06.68 || 17.04.78 || 23.07.91 || Preserved
| Privately owned. Based at the [[Mid-Hants Railway]]. It was based at the [[North Yorkshire Moors Railway]] from 1992 until 13 June 2012.
|-
| D428 || 50028 || [[HMS Tiger (C20)|''Tiger'']] || 07.68 || 10.05.78 || 01.02.91 || Scrapped
| Scrapped at [[Old Oak Common TMD]], [[London]] in July 1991.
|-bgcolor=#deebfc
| D429 || 50029 || [[HMS Renown (S26)|''Renown'']] || 07.68 || 26.10.78 || 25.03.92 || Preserved
| Owned by the Renown Repulse Restoration Group.<ref name=RenRep>{{Cite web|url=https://www.renownrepulse.com/|title=Renown Repulse Restoration Group|website=www.renownrepulse.com|access-date=12 September 2024|archive-date=27 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240827062815/https://renownrepulse.com/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-bgcolor=#deebfc
| D430 || 50030 || [[HMS Repulse (S23)|''Repulse'']] || 07.68 || 10.04.78 || 08.04.92 || Preserved
| Owned by the Renown Repulse Restoration Group.<ref name=RenRep />
|-bgcolor=#deebfc
| D431 || 50031 || [[HMS Hood (51)|''Hood'']] || 07.68 || 28.06.78 || 05.08.91 || Preserved
| Operated by the Class 50 Alliance.<ref name=Cl50_Alliance>{{cite web |url=http://www.class50alliance.co.uk/ |title=Class 50 Alliance |access-date=28 January 2009 |archive-date=4 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081004094631/http://www.class50alliance.co.uk/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| D432 || 50032 || [[HMS Courageous (S50)|''Courageous'']] || 07.68 || 07.07.78 || 15.10.90 || Scrapped
| Scrapped at [[Old Oak Common TMD]], [[London]] in February 1991.
|-bgcolor=#deebfc
| D433 || 50033 || [[HMS Glorious|''Glorious'']] || 08.68 || 26.06.78 || 25.03.94 || Preserved
| Currently based at the [[Severn Valley Railway]].
|-
| D434 || 50034 || [[HMS Furious (47)|''Furious'']] || 08.68 || 06.04.78 || 29.06.90 || Scrapped
| Scrapped at [[Old Oak Common TMD]], [[London]] in February 1991.
|-bgcolor=#deebfc
| D435 || 50035 || [[HMS Ark Royal (91)|''Ark Royal'']] || 08.68 || 17.01.78 || 03.08.90 || Preserved
| First to be named and preserved. Owned by the Class 50 Alliance.<ref name=Cl50_Alliance/> Currently based at the Severn Valley Railway.{{cn |date=September 2024}}
|-
| D436 || 50036 || [[HMS Victorious (R38)|''Victorious'']] || 09.68 || 16.05.78 || 12.04.91 || Scrapped
| Scrapped at [[C F Booth|Booth-Roe scrapyard]], [[Rotherham]] in July 1992.
|-
| D437 || 50037 || [[HMS Illustrious (87)|''Illustrious'']] || 09.68 || 08.06.78 || 09.09.91 || Scrapped
| Scrapped at [[MC Metals]] scrapyard, [[Glasgow]] in December 1992. One cab preserved at the Llanelli & Mynydd Mawr Railway.<ref name="The Cab Yard – The Cabs">{{Cite web|url=http://traincabs.co.uk/the-cabs/|title=The Cabs – The Cab Yard|access-date=7 December 2022|archive-date=13 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240913000334/http://traincabs.co.uk/the-cabs/|url-status=live}}</ref> Second cab stored at Peak Rail with Renown Repulse Restoration Group locos 50029 & 50030 <ref name="RRRG">{{Cite web|url=https://www.peakrail.co.uk/our-railway/enthusiasts/renownrepulserestorationgroup/|title=Renown Repulse Restoration Group|access-date=17 April 2023|archive-date=17 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417211833/https://www.peakrail.co.uk/our-railway/enthusiasts/renownrepulserestorationgroup/|url-status=live}}</ref> 
|-
| D438 || 50038 || [[HMS Formidable (67)|''Formidable'']] || 10.68 || 05.05.78 || 27.09.88 || Scrapped
| Scrapped at [[Old Oak Common TMD]], [[London]] in July 1989.
|-
| D439 || 50039 || [[HMS Implacable (R86)|''Implacable'']] || 10.68 || 20.06.78 || 04.06.89 || Scrapped
| Scrapped at [[Old Oak Common TMD]], [[London]] in July 1991.
|-
| D440 || 50040 || [[HMS Leviathan (1901)|''Leviathan'']] || 10.68 || 15.09.78 || 03.08.90 || Scrapped
| Scrapped at [[Sims Metal Management]], [[Halesowen]] in June–July 2008.
|-
| D441 || 50041 || [[HMS Bulwark (R08)|''Bulwark'']] || 10.68 || 08.05.78 || 17.04.90 || Scrapped
| Scrapped at [[Old Oak Common TMD]], [[London]] in July 1991.
|-bgcolor=#deebfc
| D442 || 50042 || [[HMS Triumph (R16)|''Triumph'']] || 10.68 || 04.10.78 || 15.10.90 || Preserved
| Preserved at the [[Bodmin and Wenford Railway]].
|-
| D443 || 50043 || [[HMS Eagle (R05)|''Eagle'']] || 10.68 || 28.06.78 || 01.02.91 || Scrapped
| Scrapped for spares at [[Blaenavon]] by Rexstar in January 2002.
|-bgcolor=#deebfc
| D444 || 50044 || [[HMS Exeter (68)|''Exeter'']] || 11.68 || 26.04.78 || 11.01.91 || Preserved
| Owned by the Class 50 Alliance.<ref name=Cl50_Alliance />
|-
| D445 || 50045 || [[HMS Achilles (70)|''Achilles'']] || 11.68 || 12.04.78 || 11.12.90 || Scrapped
| Scrapped at [[C F Booth|Booth-Roe scrapyard]], [[Rotherham]] in April 2000.
|-
| D446 || 50046 || [[HMS Ajax|''Ajax'']] || 12.68 || 11.10.78 || 25.03.92 || Scrapped
| Scrapped at [[MC Metals]] scrapyard, [[Glasgow]] in June 1992. One cab privately preserved near Looe, Cornwall.<ref name="The Cab Yard – The Cab Yard Story">{{Cite web|url=http://traincabs.co.uk/story/|title=History The Cab Yard Story – The Cab Yard|access-date=7 December 2022|archive-date=13 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240913000227/http://traincabs.co.uk/story/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| D447 || 50047 || [[HMS Swiftsure (S126)|''Swiftsure'']] || 12.68 || 26.05.78 || 13.04.88 || Scrapped
| Scrapped at [[Vic Berry|Vic Berry's scrapyard]], [[Leicester]] in April–June 1989.
|-
| D448 || 50048 || [[HMS Dauntless (D45)|''Dauntless'']] || 12.68 || 16.03.78 || 15.07.91 || Scrapped
| Scrapped at [[MC Metals]] scrapyard, [[Glasgow]] in April 1992.
|-bgcolor=#deebfc
| D449 || 50049<br>50149 || [[HMS Defiance|''Defiance'']] || 12.68 || 02.05.78 || 16.08.91 || Preserved
| Owned by the Class 50 Alliance.<ref name=Cl50_Alliance /> 50149 carried during trial of using the class on freight trains.{{cn |date=September 2024}}
|}

== Portuguese locomotives ==
[[File:27.11.90 Ermidas Sado 1805.jpg|thumb|right|180px|En route from Barreiro to Vila Real de Santo António on 27 November 1990, 1805 pauses at Ermidas Sado where it was booked to cross over with a northbound train.]]
{{see also|CP Class 1800}}
The [[Portugal|Portuguese]] Railways, [[Caminhos de ferro portugueses|CP]], bought ten locomotives similar to the BR Class 50, but built to [[Iberian gauge|Iberian track gauge]] (1,668&nbsp;mm). These locomotives, designated by CP as "Série 1800" (numbered 1801–1810), entered service in 1968.

Like the British Class 50s, they were equipped with an English Electric 16 CSVT engine and produced 2700&nbsp;hp (2020 HP at the wheels). Unlike the BR locomotives upon which electronic control is extensively used, the Portuguese locomotives employ conventional control gear (the only exceptions being stepless control of tractive effort by a solid-state load regulator and the use of a very effective out-of-balance wheel-slip detector). The main generator and the traction motors are identical to those used on the BR Type 3 and Deltic locomotives. Contrary to BR Class 50, the Portuguese Série 1800 locomotives were built to be as much compatible with the smaller [[CP Class 1400|Série 1400]] (themselves similar to BR Class 20) as possible and also to use as many common components as possible.

They were the only diesel locomotives in [[Portugal]] authorised to run at 140&nbsp;km/h. The CP Série 1800s were all withdrawn in 2001 and (as of 2012) several have been cut up, and the future of the rest is unclear.

Locomotive 1805 has been preserved in operational condition by the [[National Railway Museum (Portugal)|Portuguese National Railway Museum]] at [[Entroncamento Municipality|Entroncamento]]. Since the 1980s it had been painted in CP's corporate orange livery, but it has been repainted in its original distinctive blue livery by the CP workshop at Contumil near [[Porto]]. While still an integral part of the National Railway Museum, it is set to return to service pulling tourist trains on the [[Douro River]] Line.{{cn|date=September 2024}}

== Preservation ==
{{more citations needed|section|date=November 2022}}
[[File:D400 Fearless.jpg|thumb|222x222px|D400 Fearless, the first Class 50 to be built in 1967, seen here on the Settle & Carlisle Railway, 2022]]
Class 50 locomotives proved popular with [[railfan|rail enthusiasts]], with eighteen locomotives, including the first production unit, saved for preservation and several subsequently registered for use on the mainline.

An ambitious project involving preserved Class 50s was "Operation Collingwood", an engineering charity established in the early 1990s.  The aim had been to train young engineering [[apprentice]]s by getting them to rebuild railway locomotives and Class 50s were chosen both for the fact that they were a British design throughout and that all were named (so the apprentices would derive some pride from rededication ceremonies at the completion of their work). To this end, Operation Collingwood purchased and stored 50001, 50023, 50029, 50030, 50040 and 50045. All except 50029 and 50030 were heavily stripped examples sold to scrapyards for final cutting up. The intention was to restore them by using industrial sponsorship money to build an engineering centre and overhaul the components, making brand new ones where necessary to overcome lack of availability of some parts unique to the original design. These ambitions failed when sponsorship did not reach the required level and the project lost various key people. The charity was wound up in 2002; 50001/023/040 and 045 were sold back to scrapyards and their state as little more than bodyshells deterred most further preservation attempts. 50045 was scrapped to provide spares for preserved 50026, and 50001 met a similar fate. A private individual made an attempt to restore 50023 using some parts from 50001 but this was abandoned and the shell was cut up a few years after the initial purchase.  50040 could have been suitable for [[Conservation and restoration of rail vehicles|cosmetic restoration]], but after many years untouched and in a derelict state at the Coventry Railway Centre, it finally had all remaining parts stripped for spares and was transported to Sims Metals of Halesowen for scrapping. The cutting of the derelict hulk was completed by Wednesday 2 July 2008. 50029 and 50030 were in far better mechanical condition, and were sold to a preservation group for full restoration.

50043 ''Eagle'' was purchased in almost working order (the main generator had failed, a very common Class 50 problem) but it was never intended for restoration. Instead the power unit was gutted to provide parts for preserved [[British Rail Class 40|Class 40]] no. 40118 as the two share a very similar design of diesel engine. ''Eagle'' was then subjected to a further bout of stripping when electrical and other parts were sold to various Class 50 preservationists. Although cosmetically very smart, the loco was by this stage unrestorable and although an ambitious private individual did try, this effort soon came to naught and it was scrapped to provide parts for 50026 ''Indomitable''. 50026 itself was rescued from [[C F Booth|Booth's Scrapyard]] in 1993.<ref>{{cite web |title=50026 Indomitable |url=https://www.englishelectric.org.uk/50026 |website=English Electric Archive |access-date=3 October 2020 |archive-date=3 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303232601/https://www.englishelectric.org.uk/50026 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Travers |first1=Chris |title=Diesel Update – November 2017 |url=https://www.eorailway.co.uk/enthusiasts/departments-diary/diesel-update---november-2017/ |website=Epping Ongar Railway |publisher=Diesel Restoration Group |access-date=3 October 2020 |archive-date=6 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006055456/https://www.eorailway.co.uk/enthusiasts/departments-diary/diesel-update---november-2017/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Once preserved, 50002 became the first class 50 to operate a train for a private excursion on the South Devon Railway (April 1992), while 50031 was the first to operate a train for fare paying passengers (Severn Valley Railway May 1992).  50031 was also the first to operate on the mainline, hauling the Past Time Railtours Pilgrim Hoover train from [[Birmingham International railway station|Birmingham International]] to Plymouth on 1 November 1997. Since then several other members of the class have also been passed for use on [[Network Rail]] (was [[Railtrack]]) lines. However, with changes in the UK's Rail Access regulations (requiring fitment of additional equipment: [[Train Protection & Warning System|TPWS]]/[[OTMR]]/GSMR) some of these locos are no longer of a standard to continue mainline operation. At present, 50007,{{when|date=October 2020}} 50008, 50044, 50049 & 50050 are passed for main line running. The owner of 50021 & 50026 aims to restore them to mainline use in the near future.

One locomotive, 50017, was hired to [[Venice Simplon Orient Express]] (VSOE) to work the ''Northern Belle'' service from [[Bath Spa railway station|Bath]] to [[Manchester Victoria railway station|Manchester Victoria]]. As part of the contract it was painted in [[London, Midland and Scottish Railway|LMS]]-style maroon livery. Following this, the loco spent several years dumped at Tyseley locomotive works before being sold to a private individual. The loco was then restored to working order at the [[Plym Valley Railway]], before being sold to Boden Railway Engineering a few years later. In Feb 2019 the engine was sold from Boden Rail to the [[Great Central Railway (heritage railway)|Great Central Railway]] minus its mainline equipment.{{clarify|date=April 2023|reason=what mainline equipment?}}

In 2003, the [[National Railway Museum]] decided to dispose of 50033 due to an inability to commit to maintenance and storage costs. This was subject to a suitable owner being found for what was now a museum asset. After spending a period on loan to the [[North Yorkshire Moors Railway]] in 2004 the locomotive was moved to the [[Swindon Steam Railway Museum]]. However, soon after it was sent on to the [[Tyseley Locomotive Works]] as part of a proposed move to the RailSchool project and [[Royal Docks Heritage Railway]] in [[North Woolwich]], London. When the Crossrail project was authorised, this scheme fell by the wayside, stranding 50033 at the [[Birmingham Railway Museum]] (Tyseley). After a period the ownership of the loco was transferred between the museums in lieu of storage payments. Unfortunately due to lack of covered accommodation the loco was stored in the open. This situation ended in February 2018, when an agreement between the [[Birmingham Railway Museum]] and the Fifty Fund was reached to return the locomotive to operational use. As part of this arrangement the locomotive was moved to the Severn Valley Railway in May of the same year. After an intense restoration effort the loco hauled trains at the Class 50 Golden Anniversary Gala in October 2018. As the loco was still in undercoat, it was possible for gala attendees to graffiti the loco body for a payment towards its full repaint – an exercise that raised over £3,800.

In 2005, 50031 and 50049 were on long term hire to [[Arriva Trains Wales]] (ATW), for use on special services in connection with events at the Millennium Stadium, and over the summer period saw regular use on the Monday to Saturday "[[Fishguard]] Flyer" from Cardiff to Fishguard and return, in connection with the ferry sailing to Ireland. One of the two locomotives was used for the service each day, along with 4 [[British Rail Mark 2|Mark 2]] coaches, the short formation and high power leading to very good performance. This arrangement lasted for one year. At the end of this period 50031 failed whilst working an ECS (Empty Coaching Stock) train, again for ATW.

During the summer of 2008 50044 "Exeter" was fitted with [[OTMR]], and the [[Train Protection & Warning System|TPWS]] fitted previously was commissioned. In October 2008 '44 was re-registered for mainline use, and operated its first revenue mainline train on 18 October 2008, when it worked, in multiple with 50049 "Defiance" on a railtour from [[Manchester Piccadilly railway station|Manchester Piccadilly]] to Minehead.

Several owning groups have ceremonially re-dedicated their locomotives to the warships whose names they carry. The HMS ''Hood'' Association rededicated 50031 ''Hood'' at the [[Mid Hants Railway]], unveiling new crests. The crew of HMS ''Exeter'' re-dedicated D444 ''Exeter'' at the [[Severn Valley Railway]] a year before the vessel was decommissioned, unveiling a crest and early-BR-style nameplates. The captain of HMS ''Ark Royal'' performed the re-dedication ceremony for 50135 ''Ark Royal'' at the ''Eastleigh 100 Open Days''.

October 2018 saw the [[Severn Valley Railway]] host the 'Class 50 Golden Jubilee' gala, celebrating fifty years since the class was introduced into traffic. Eleven of the eighteen preserved 50s attended the event, these being: 50007, 50008, 50015, 50017, 50026 (non-operational), 50031, 50033, 50035, 50044, 50049 and 50050. This made it the largest gathering of a single type of locomotive in preservation history. Of significance was 50033, which had undergone a speedy overhaul since transferring to the railway in May of that year, hauling its first passenger trains since 2004.

Seven of the preserved Class 50s have operated on the mainline in preservation, these being: 50050 ''Fearless'', 50007 ''Hercules'', 50008 ''Thunderer'', 50017 ''Royal Oak'', 50031 ''Hood'', 50044 ''Exeter'' and 50049 ''Defiance''.

=== List of preserved locomotives ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!colspan=3|Numbers <small>(Current in Bold)</small>
!align=left|Name
!Image
!align=left|Livery
!align=left|Location
!align=left|Notes
|-
|align=center|'''D400'''
|align=center|'''50050'''
|align=center|-
|[[HMS Fearless (L10)|''Fearless'']]
|[[File:50050 Fearless at Hardingham.jpg|frameless]]
|[[Rail Blue|BR Blue]]
|Nottingham Eastcroft TMD
|Owned by Boden Rail Engineering Ltd. First-built locomotive.
Operational, Mainline certified
|-
|align=center|'''D402'''
|align=center|50002
|align=center|-
|[[HMS Superb (S109)|''Superb'']]
|[[File:The South Devon Railway 16.jpg|frameless]]
|[[Rail Blue|BR Blue]]
|[[South Devon Railway Trust|South Devon Railway]]
|Under restoration.<ref name="D402 – English Electric Type 4 – BR Class 50 – 50 002">{{Cite web|url=https://www.southdevonrailway.co.uk/rolling-stock/locomotives/d402-english-electric-type-4-br-class-50-50-002/|title=D402 – English Electric Type 4 – BR Class 50 – 50 002 - South Devon Railway|work=South Devon Railway |date=4 December 2017|access-date=15 December 2023|archive-date=8 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231208233009/https://www.southdevonrailway.co.uk/rolling-stock/locomotives/d402-english-electric-type-4-br-class-50-50-002/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|align=center|D407
|align=center|'''50007'''
|align=center|-
|[[HMS Hercules (1910)|''Hercules'']]
|[[File:Long Rock 2019 - GBRf 50007 (aka 50014).JPG|frameless]]
|[[Rail Blue|BR Blue Large Logo]]<ref name="Large Logo Duo">{{cite press release |title=Large Logo Duo Return |url=https://www.fiftyfund-alliance.co.uk/post/large-logo-duo-return |website=The Fifty Fund |access-date=12 September 2024 |archive-date=13 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240913001334/https://www.fiftyfund-alliance.co.uk/post/large-logo-duo-return |url-status=live }}</ref>
|Severn Valley Railway
|Operational, Mainline Certified. On spot-hire to GBRf.<ref name="GBRf">{{cite press release |title=GB Railfreight and Class 50 Alliance collaboration sealed with locomotive repaints |url=http://www.gbrailfreight.com/media-centre/news-releases/ |website=gbrailfreight.com |access-date=15 January 2019 |date=15 January 2019 |archive-date=21 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821203143/http://www.gbrailfreight.com/media-centre/news-releases/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
|align=center|D408
|align=center|'''50008'''
|align=center|-
|[[HMS Thunderer (1911)|''Thunderer'']]
|[[File:Railways of Great Britain 471.jpg|frameless]]
|Hanson & Hall 
|[[Kings Norton]]
|Re-entered preservation in 2006. Repainted by ELR 2009–2010. Operational, Mainline Certified 2017
|-
|align=center|D415
|align=center|'''50015'''
|align=center|-
|[[HMS Valiant (S102)|''Valiant'']]
|[[File:And Also.jpg|frameless]]
|[[Rail Blue|BR Blue Large Logo]]
|[[East Lancashire Railway]]
|Only Class 50 to carry "Dutch" civil-engineers livery in BR ownership. Preserved by Bury Valiant Group
Operational
|-
|align=center|D417
|align=center|'''50017'''
|align=center|50117
|[[HMS Royal Oak (08)|''Royal Oak'']]
|[[File:Class 50 locomotives in Cardiff - geograph.org.uk - 4357751.jpg|frameless]]
|[[Network SouthEast|Network SouthEast (Original)]]
|[[Great Central Railway (heritage railway)|Great Central Railway]].
|Preserved & Operational. Previously Mainline Certified.
|-
|align=center|D419
|align=center|'''50019'''
|align=center|-
|[[HMS Ramillies (07)|''Ramillies'']]
|[[File:50 019 Ramilles on standby.jpg|frameless]]
|[[Rail Blue|BR Blue Large Logo]]
|[[Mid-Norfolk Railway]]
|Taken out of service for works in 2013.
|-
|align=center|D421
|align=center|'''50021'''
|align=center|-
|[[HMS Rodney (29)|''Rodney'']]
|[[File:50021 Keighley Bank.jpg|frameless]]
|[[Rail Blue|BR Blue Large Logo]]
|Eastleigh
|Operational. Restoration completed 2023.<ref name="English Electric Archive – British Rail Class 50 Locomotives - 50021 Rodney">{{Cite web |url=https://www.englishelectric.org.uk/50021 |title=50021 Rodney |website=English Electric Archive - British Rail Class 50 locomotives |access-date=1 June 2023 |archive-date=1 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601220325/https://www.englishelectric.org.uk/50021 |url-status=live }}</ref>  
|-
|align=center|D426
|align=center|'''50026'''
|align=center|-
|[[HMS Indomitable (R92)|''Indomitable'']]
|[[File:50026 Swanage.jpg|frameless]]
|[[Network SouthEast|Network SouthEast (Revised)]]
|Eastleigh
|Undergoing maintenance. Fitted with OTMR, TPWS and GSMR equipment for future mainline operation. Currently in the final stages of an engine overhaul.
|-
|align=center|D427
|align=center|'''50027'''
|align=center|-
|[[HMS Lion (C34)|''Lion'']]
|[[File:50027 Lion passing Northside Lane Foot Crossing, 20th June 2020.jpg|frameless]]
|[[Network SouthEast|Network SouthEast (Revised)]]
|[[Mid Hants Railway]]
| Operational
|-
|align=center|D429
|align=center|'''50029'''
|align=center|-
|[[HMS Renown (S26)|''Renown'']]
|[[File:26.12.82 Old Oak Common MPD 50029 (42687144262).jpg|frameless]]
|[[Rail Blue|BR Blue Large Logo (Black Roof)]]
|[[Peak Rail]]
|Awaiting Restoration
|-
|align=center|D430
|align=center|'''50030'''
|align=center|-
|[[HMS Repulse (S23)|''Repulse'']]
|[[File:Rowsley - Peak Rail 'Class 50' - geograph.org.uk - 601605.jpg|frameless]]
|[[Rail Blue|BR Blue Large Logo]]
|[[Peak Rail]]
|Under Restoration
|-
|align=center|D431
|align=center|'''50031'''
|align=center|-
|[[HMS Hood (51)|''Hood'']]
|[[File:18.05.17 Kidderminster Town 50031 (34659794491).jpg|frameless]]
|[[InterCity (British Rail)|Intercity Swallow]]
|[[Severn Valley Railway]]
|Stored out of service, awaiting repairs.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.fiftyfund-alliance.co.uk/locos/50031 | title=Class 50 50031 Hood }}</ref> Currently carries non-prototypical Intercity livery.
|-
|align=center|D433
|align=center|'''50033'''
|align=center|-
|[[HMS Glorious|''Glorious'']]
|[[File:50033 Kidderminster Depot 20 May 23.jpg|50033 Kidderminster Depot 20 May 23|frameless]]
|[[Rail Blue|BR Blue Large Logo]]
|[[Severn Valley Railway]]
|Previously at [[Swindon Steam Railway Museum]] and [[Tyseley Locomotive Works]].
Operational.
|-
|align=center|D435
|align=center|'''50035'''
|align=center|50135
|[[HMS Ark Royal (R09)|''Ark Royal'']]
|[[File:Class 50 50035 Ark Royal.jpg|frameless]]
|[[Rail Blue|BR Blue]]
|[[Severn Valley Railway]]
|Operational.
|-
|align=center|D442
|align=center|'''50042'''
|align=center|-
|[[HMS Triumph (R16)|''Triumph'']]
|[[File:Long Rock 2019 - 50042.JPG|frameless]]
|[[Rail Blue|BR Blue Large Logo (Black Roof)]]
|[[Bodmin & Wenford Railway]]
| Operational.
|-
|align=center|D444
|align=center|'''50044'''
|align=center|-
|[[HMS Exeter (68)|''Exeter'']]
|[[File:50044 & 50007 5Z84.jpg|frameless]]
|[[Rail Blue|BR Blue]]
|[[Severn Valley Railway]]
|Operational. Mainline Certified.
|-
|align=center|D449
|align=center|'''50049'''
|align=center|50149
|[[HMS Defiance|''Defiance'']]
|[[File:50049 at Crewe Diesel Depot Open Day 2019 - 48061193568.jpg|frameless]]
||[[Rail Blue|BR Blue Large Logo]]<ref name="Large Logo Duo"/>
|[[Severn Valley Railway]]
|Operational. Mainline Certified. On spot-hire to GBRf.<ref name="GBRf"/>
|}

== Model railways ==
[[Lima_(models)|Lima]] produced the first model of the Class 50 in [[OO gauge]] – initially in unrefurbished condition – with [[Graham Farish]] producing the type in [[British N gauge]]. Neither of these models are now available new, but second-hand models do appear from time to time.

In 2003, [[Hornby Railways]] launched its first version of the BR Class 50 in [[OO gauge]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hornbyguide.com/class_details.asp?classid=140 |title=Hornby BR Class 50 |publisher=Hornby Railways Collector Guide |access-date=31 January 2020 |archive-date=11 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200111104619/http://www.hornbyguide.com/class_details.asp?classid=140 |url-status=live }}</ref> Hornby have since updated the Class 50 and have produced models of 50007 Hercules and 50049 Defiance in GBRF colours as part of their 2020 range.

Recently, [[Heljan]] have also made models of Class 50 in [[O gauge]] which includes 50007 ''Hercules'' as ''Sir Edward Elgar'' in GWR green, 50149 ''Defiance'' in BR Railfreight general sector triple grey, 50017 ''Valiant'' in BR Civil Engineers 'Dutch' grey and yellow and 50008 ''Thunderer'' in BR Laira Blue as well as unnamed and unnumbered 50s in BR Blue, and in the original and revised Network South East livery.

[[Dapol]] have also released a model of the Class 50 in British N gauge which include samples in BR Blue, BR large logo Blue and the original NSE livery.

Accurascale announced in November 2022 that they would be producing a newly tooled OO gauge Class 50 model, based on a 3D laser scan taken of locomotive 50017 at the [[Great Central Railway]] in 2019.<ref>{{cite news |title=Class 50s – from Accurascale |url=https://www.world-of-railways.co.uk/news/class-50s-from-accurascale/ |access-date=23 November 2022 |work=World of Railways |publisher=Warners Group Publications |date=23 November 2022 |location=Bourne |archive-date=23 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221123121515/https://www.world-of-railways.co.uk/news/class-50s-from-accurascale |url-status=live }}</ref>

== References ==

<!-- ===Notes===
{{notelist}}
-->
=== Citations ===
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book|title=Class 50s to the Cornish Riviera|first=Hugh|last=Ballantyne|publisher=Book Law Publications|year=2014|isbn=9781909625211}}
* {{cite book|title=The Class 50 Story|first=M.J.|last=Beckett|publisher=Fearless Publications|year=1983|isbn=9780950935409|oclc=655706030}}
* {{cite book|title=Class 50s on Tour|first1=Chris|last1=Brooks|first2=Richard|last2=Szwejkowski|publisher=Peter Watts|year=1997|isbn=9780906025581|oclc=862609132}}
* {{cite book|title=First of the Last: The Life and Times of 50050 Fearless|first1=Andy|last1=Coward|first2=Ian|last2=Horner|first3=Richard|last3=Thompson|publisher=The D400 Fund|year=2010|isbn=9780956610706}}
* {{cite book|title=Main Line Colour Albums No.1: The Class 50s|editor-first1=Brian|editor-last1=Denton|editor-first2=David|editor-last2=Warwick|publisher=Airtime Publishing Ltd.|year=1991|isbn=9780951850701|oclc=59899657}}
* {{cite book|title=Heritage Traction in Colour: The Class 50s|first=Kevin|last=Derrick|publisher=Trans-Pennine Publishing Ltd.|year=2004|isbn=9781903016404}}
* {{cite book|title=Looking back at Class 50 Locomotives|first=Kevin|last=Derrick|publisher=Strathwood|year=2011|isbn=9781905276455}}
* {{cite book|title=Class 50s on the Western|first=G.F.|last=Gillham|publisher=Becknell|year=1983|isbn=9780907087212|oclc=12450338}}
* {{cite book|title=Life & Times Series: Class 50|first=Colin J.|last=Marsden|publisher=OPC|year=1991|isbn=9780860934202|oclc=22626487}}
* {{cite book|title=Locomotive Recognition: Class 50s|first=Colin J.|last=Marsden|publisher=Ian Allan|year=1988|isbn=9780711017825|oclc=19266339}}
* {{cite book|title=British Rail Main Line Diesel Locomotives|first1=Colin J.|last1=Marsden|first2=Graham B.|last2=Fenn|pages=212–219|publisher=Haynes|location=Sparkford|year=1988|isbn=9780860933182|oclc=17916362}}
* {{cite book|title=The Fifty – Fifties EE Class 50 Diesel Electrics|first=Michael|last=Oakley|publisher=Bradford Barton|year=1979|isbn=9780851533544|oclc=60077372}}
* {{cite book|title=Class 50 Factfile|first1=Kevin|last1=Saunders|first2=David N.|last2=Cough|publisher=Fearless Publications|year=1998|isbn=9780950935430|oclc=867913413}}
* {{cite book|title=Class 50s on the Route from Waterloo to Exeter|first=Roger|last=Siviter|publisher=Silver Link Publishing Ltd.|year=2001|isbn=9781857941470|oclc=862602336}}
* {{cite book|title=Class 50s at Work|first=John|last=Vaughan|publisher=Littlehampton Book Services Ltd.|year=1986|isbn=9780711013889|oclc=17261126}}
* {{cite book|title=Profile of the Class 50s|first=John|last=Vaughan|publisher=OPC|year=1983|isbn=9780860932338|oclc=11840595}}
* {{cite book|url=http://www.barrowmoremrg.co.uk/BRBDocuments/Locos/Book_no_100_N1_web.pdf|title=Vehicle Diagram Book No. 100 for Main Line Diesel Locomotives|via=Barrowmore MRG|publisher=British Railways Board|location=Derby|date=October 1984|pages=33, 38–39, 136 (per pdf)}}
* {{cite book|title=Thundering fifties: further reminiscences of a Class 50 fitter at Laira|first1=Mike|last1=Woodhouse|first2=Andy|last2=Griffiths|publisher=Wolfhayes Publications|year=1994|isbn=9780952304609|oclc=867913367}}
* {{cite magazine|title=New locos for old!|first=Howard|last=Johnston|magazine=[[RAIL (magazine)|Rail Enthusiast]]|publisher=EMAP National Publications|date=October 1982|pages=6–11|issn=0262-561X|oclc=49957965}}
* {{cite magazine|title=The Flying Fifties|pages=26–27|date=January 1983|magazine=[[RAIL (magazine)|Rail Enthusiast]]|publisher=EMAP National Publications|issn=0262-561X|oclc=49957965}}
* {{cite magazine|title=A '50' in Brunswick green|first=Howard|last=Johnston|magazine=[[RAIL (magazine)|Rail Enthusiast]]|publisher=EMAP National Publications|date=May 1984|pages=28–33|issn=0262-561X|oclc=49957965}}
* {{cite magazine|title=50s in view|first=David|last=Clough|pages=38–44|issue=90|date=October 1988|magazine=[[RAIL (magazine)|RAIL]]|publisher=EMAP National Publications|issn=0953-4563|oclc=49953699}}
* {{cite magazine|title=The one year life of a china clay Class 50|first=John|last=Vaughan|pages=38–41|issue=95|date=4–17 May 1989|magazine=[[RAIL (magazine)|RAIL]]|publisher=EMAP National Publications|issn=0953-4563|oclc=49953699}}
* {{cite magazine|title='50s' future in doubt as Operation Collingwood rethinks its strategy|magazine=[[RAIL (magazine)|RAIL]]|issue=339|publisher=EMAP Apex Publications|date=9–22 September 1998|page=56|issn=0953-4563|oclc=49953699}}
*{{cite magazine|title=Portuguese power unit to be used for rebuild of 50044 Exeter|magazine=RAIL|pages=26–27|issue=710|date=28 November – 11 December 2012|location=Peterborough|publisher=Bauer|issn=0953-4563|oclc=49953699}}
*{{cite magazine|title=Cult Classics|first1=Pip|last1=Dunn|first2=Darren|last2=Sherwood-Jones|first3=George|last3=Dent|magazine=Model Rail|pages=20–28, 30–31|issue=90|date=April 2006|location=Peterborough|publisher=EMAP Active|issn=1369-5118|oclc=173324502}}
*{{cite magazine|title=Ex-NRM 'Hoover' ownership settled|magazine=The Railway Magazine|pages=96|issue=1345|volume=159|date=May 2013|location=Horncastle|publisher=Mortons Media Group|issn=0033-8923|oclc=750645684}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|British Rail Class 50}}
* [http://www.50015.org/ 50015 Bury Valiant Group] – Information on D415/50015 based at the East Lancashire Railway
* [http://www.fiftyfund.org.uk/ The Fifty Fund] – Supporters group for the locomotives owned and operated by [http://www.class50alliance.co.uk/ The Class 50 Alliance Ltd]. – Information on all class 50s and specific coverage of 50007 ''Hercules'', 50031 ''Hood'', 50035 ''Ark Royal'', 50044 ''Exeter'' and 50049 ''Defiance'' all nominally based at the Severn Valley Railway
* [http://www.class50.co.uk/ Class 50 loco-by-loco photo gallery]
* [https://www.englishelectric.org.uk/ English Electric Archive] –  gallery dedicated to English Electric Type 4 Co-Co (British Rail Class 50) locomotives in preservation and their restoration
* [http://www.bodminrailway.co.uk/stock/moreinfo/13/ 50042] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160601055854/http://www.bodminrailway.co.uk/stock/moreinfo/13/ |date=1 June 2016 }} – Information on 50042 ''Triumph'' based at the Bodmin and Wenford Railway

{{British Rail Locomotives}}

[[Category:British Rail diesel locomotives|50]]
[[Category:Co-Co locomotives]]
[[Category:English Electric locomotives]]
[[Category:Vulcan Foundry locomotives]]
[[Category:Railway locomotives introduced in 1967]]
[[Category:Standard-gauge locomotives of Great Britain]]
[[Category:Diesel–electric locomotives of Great Britain]]