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Class 50 Gallery

Images of Class 50 Locomotives taken in the Taunton Area. The Class 50 was probably one of the best liked locomotives for Enthusiasts in the South West. During their mainline operation, they had a large following of enthusiasts willing to ride them and photograph them. The class were built at the Vulcan Foundry at Newton le Willows between January 1967 and December 1968 and were out shopped with the numbers D400-D449, during the introduction of the TOPS system in the 1970's they of course became 50001 - 50050. They were originally built to haul trains on the non electrified sections of the West Coast Mainline to the North of Crewe. Once electrification was complete the class were transferred onto the Western Region and slowly took over diagrams previously covered by the Class 52 'Westerns'. The Western Region had a tradition of naming it's locomotives, so with the Class 50's took the names of naval warships. During the late 1970's the Class 50's were given a full overhaul / refurbishment program which was carried out at Doncaster Works, many years of being thrashed up and down the West Coast Mainline had taken it's toll and the Class reliability was suffering as a result. While in works they class were modernized and completely repainted into BR Large Logo livery. After refurbishment the locos returned to the Western Region where their efforts were concentrated on the Exeter - Waterloo route, but many others still worked on varied diagrams, including a dedicated pool of locomotives for infrastructure work. The Class lasted until 1994, when 50007 'Sir Edward Elgar' and 50050 'Fearless' worked the final farewell railtour from London Waterloo - Exeter - London Paddington.

5th September 2026
BR Blue Class 50 No. 50050 'Fearless' (D400) shatters the peace as it powers through Creech St Michael on Saturday 5th September 2026. The LSL locomotive made its debut on Saphos Trains 'English Riviera Express ', returning the loco to its former stomping ground when formerly in British Rail service. No. 50050 'Fearless' and No.57302 operated in top and tail formation hauling 1Z07 06:35 Poole - Kingswear. The Class 57 led the train from Poole, but with a reversal at Westbury, the Class 50 led the train to Taunton. Upon arrival at Taunton, the Class 50 was removed and replaced with LNER A4 Pacific No. 60007 'Sir Nigel Gresley' for the steam leg through to Kingswear.
(Photo: Brian Garrett)

5th September 2026
BR Blue Class 50 No. 50050 'Fearless' (D400) is pictured in Platform 2 at Taunton on Saturday 6th September 2026. Fearless had rejoined The English Riviera Express at Fairwater Yard, taking over from LNER A4 Pacific No. 60007 'Sir Nigel Gresley'. No. 50050 'Fearless' and No.57302 then operated 1Z08 16:35 Kingswear - Poole in top and tail formation from Taunton.
(Photo: Richard Hiscox)

5th September 2026
Locomotive Services Ltd Class 50 No. 50050 'Fearless' (D400) storms north through Cogload Junction on Saturday 5th September 2026. The loco was returning north on 1Z08 16:35 Kingswear - Poole charter, having taken over from LNER A1 Pacific No. 60007 'The Spirit of Tom Kendell' at Taunton.
(Photo: Brian Garrett)

15th June 2026
Class 50 No. 50049 'Defiance' arrives at Taunton from the West Somerset Railway, returning home after its extended stay on the preserved line. No. 50049 'Defiance' operating 0Z50 10:10 Bishops Lydeard - Kidderminster SVR.
(Photo: Paul Clarke)

15th June 2026
On completion of a successful stint at the West Somerset Railway, Class 50 No. 50049 'Defiance' returns north to the Severn Valley Railway on Monday, 15th June 2026. Captured at Banklands, the light engine move was running as the 0V50 10:10 Bishops Lydeard to Kidderminster SVR. The loco will also attend its next preserved railway gala at the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway the following weekend.
(Photo: S A Ginn)

14th June 2026
End of the line for the last time on Sunday 14th June 2026, having arrived with the 12:25 from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead service. No. 50049 'Defiance' would return to Bishops Lydeard with the 14:30 departure from Minehead and then detach from the train to stable ready to head home to the Severn Valley on Monday 15th.
(Photo: Brian Garrett)

14th June 2026
BR Large Logo liveried Class 50 No. 50049 'Defiance' is pictured at Bishops Lydeard on the 14th June 2026. The loco was operating the WSR Diesel Diagram as a running day before returning to its base the following Monday morning. No. 50049 'Defiance' is pictured ready to operate the 12:25 Bishops Lydeard - Minehead service.
(Photo: Brian Garrett)

14th June 2026
Visiting Class 50 No. 50049 'Defiance' from the Fifty Fund operated the West Somerset Railway Diesel Diagram on Sunday 14th June 2026 before it was booked to return home to the Severn Valley on the following Monday. Having arrived with the 10:00 Minehead - Bishops Lydeard service, the Class 50 runs around its train to form the 12:25 Bishops Lydeard - Minehead diesel diagram.
(Photo: Brian Garrett)

7th June 2026
With Tony Middleton driving, Large Logo Class 50 No. 50049 'Defiance' arrives into Watchet on the 7th June 2026. No. 50049 'Defiance' was operating the 10:05 Bishops Lydeard - Norton Fitzwarren service during the Summer Diesel Festival.
(Photo: Rob Sherwood)

6th June 2026
English Electric Class 50 No. 50049 'Defiance' powers through Woolsten Moor on the 6th June 2026, operating the 09:46 Minehead to Bishops Lydeard service during the Summer Diesel Festival.
(Photo: Brian Garrett)

6th June 2026
Visiting the West Somerset Railway from The Fifty Fund based at the West Somerset Railway No. 50049 'Defiance' powers through Kentsford on Saturday 7th June 2026. The loco was operating the 11:40 Bishops Lydeard - Minehead service during the Summer Diesel Festival.
(Photo: Brian Garrett)

5th June 2026
Visiting locomotive Class 26 No.26007 is pictured at Crowcombe Heathfield on Friday, 5th June 2026. The locomotive was operating the 10:41 Minehead - Bishops Lydeard service during the 2026 Summer Diesel Festival. Passing the Class 26 was visiting Class 50 No. 50049 'Defiance' operating the 11:40 Bishops Lydeard - Minehead service.
(Photo: Brian Garrett)

2nd June 2026
Making an unexpected operating appearance on the West Somerset Railway ahead of the Summer Diesel Festival. No. 50049 'Defiance' passes Watersmeet on the 2nd June 2026, operating the 14:30 Minehead - Bishops Lydeard service due to the unfortunate failure of 4-6-0 Manor No. 7828 'Odney Manor'.
(Photo: Shaun Mockridge)

2nd June 2026
Defiance is pictured stabled on the Minehead turntable on the 2nd June 2026, ahead of starting in the Summer Diesel Festival two days later.
(Photo: Richard Hiscox)

1st June 2026
The Fifty Fund Class 50 No. 50049 'Defiance' makes a splendid sight at Taunton in its pristine condition, arriving light engine from the Severn Valley Railway. The loco was operating as 0V50 09:20 Kidderminster - Bishops Lydeard on the 1st June 2026, arriving as a last-minute addition to the locomotive lineup at the West Somerset Railway Diesel Festival the following weekend.
(Photo: Paul Clarke)

27th February 2026
With stock and locos supplied by Locomotive Services Ltd, BR Blue Class 50 No. 50050 'Fearless' (D400) exits from the Norton Triangle complex in top and tail formation with No. 40013 'Andania' (D213). The operation was running as 1Z70 09:05 Bristol Temple Meads - Goodrington Sidings via Norton Fitzwarren (to turn), and Hackney Yard.
(Photo: Phil Izzard)

8th June 2025
Visiting Class 50 No. 50015 'Valiant' departs from Williton on the 8th June 2025 operating the 12:00 Minehead - Norton Fitzwarren service on the last day of the West Somerset Railway Summer Diesel Festival.
(Photo: Brian Garrett)

7th June 2025
After a summer downpour of rain British Rail large logo Class 50 No. 50015 'Valiant' is pictured at Minehead on Saturday 7th June 2025. No. 50015 'Valiant' was operating the 12:40 Minehead - Norton Fitzwarren service during the 2025 Summer Diesel Festival.
(Photo: Brian Garrett)

7th June 2025
Former British Rail counterparts face one another for a final time at Minehead on the 7th June 2025 during the 2024 Summer Diesel Festival. Class 50 No. 50015 'Valiant' would have operated alongside No. 43154 'Compton Castle' and No. 43155 'Rougemont Castle' during their British Rail operational careers. While No. 50015 'Valiant' has been in preservation for 33 years. The HST may see some mainline action again, having been sold and will soon be leaving the WSR. No. 50015 'Valiant' later departed with the 12:40 to Norton Fitzwarren.
(Photo: Brian Garrett)

7th June 2025
Having gained a plastic spade from its visit to the seaside, BR large logo Class 50 No. 50015 'Valiant' is pictured at Bishops Lydeard in the pouring rain on Saturday 7th June 2025. The loco was operating the 12:40 Minehead - Norton Fitzwarren service during the 2025 Summer Diesel Festival.
(Photo: Brian Garrett)

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