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All train classes · Diesel traction
Class 50
Summary
- Vehicle entries 101
- Indexed videos 3595
- Stock type Locomotive
- Power source Diesel
- Most indexed vehicle 50007 (940 appearances)
- Builder English Electric / Vulcan Foundry
- Built 1967–1968
- Introduced 1967
- Wheel arrangement Co-Co
- Top speed 100 mph
Links
| Locomotive number | Video appearances |
|---|---|
|
50001
Dreadnought
|
117 |
|
50002
Superb
|
86 |
|
50003
Temeraire
|
76 |
|
50004
St Vincent
|
38 |
|
50005
Collingwood
|
92 |
|
50006
Neptune
|
84 |
|
50007
Hercules
|
940 |
|
50008
Thunderer
|
536 |
|
50009
Conqueror
|
69 |
|
50010
Monarch
|
44 |
|
50011
Centurion
|
66 |
|
50012
Benbow
|
33 |
|
50013
Agincourt
|
13 |
|
50014
Warspite
|
73 |
|
50015
Valiant
|
213 |
|
50016
Barham
|
37 |
|
50017
Royal Oak
|
177 |
|
50018
Resolution
|
30 |
|
50019
Ramillies
|
59 |
|
50020
Revenge
|
41 |
|
50021
Rodney
|
134 |
|
50022
Anson
|
15 |
|
50023
Howe
|
31 |
|
50024
Vanguard
|
25 |
|
50025
Invincible
|
29 |
|
50026
Indomitable
|
146 |
|
50027
Lion
|
41 |
|
50028
Tiger
|
37 |
|
50029
Renown
|
34 |
|
50030
Repulse
|
48 |
|
50031
Hood
|
198 |
|
50032
Courageous
|
13 |
|
50033
Glorious
|
282 |
|
50034
Furious
|
144 |
|
50035
Ark Royal
|
334 |
|
50036
Victorious
|
29 |
|
50037
Illustrious
|
36 |
|
50038
Formidable
|
16 |
|
50039
Implacable
|
26 |
|
50040
Leviathan
|
88 |
|
50041
Bulwark
|
27 |
|
50042
Triumph
|
29 |
|
50043
Eagle
|
31 |
|
50044
Exeter
|
175 |
|
50045
Achilles
|
38 |
|
50046
Ajax
|
31 |
|
50047
Swiftsure
|
12 |
|
50048
Dauntless
|
62 |
|
50049
Defiance
50149
|
861 |
|
50050
Fearless
|
327 |
|
50149
Defiance
|
18 |
|
D400
Fearless
50050
|
234 |
| D401 50001 | 3 |
| D402 50002 | 1 |
| D403 50003 | 3 |
| D404 50004 | 1 |
| D405 50005 | 2 |
| D406 50006 | 3 |
| D407 50007 | 63 |
| D408 50008 | 4 |
| D409 50009 | 8 |
| D410 50010 | 17 |
| D411 50011 | 2 |
| D412 50012 | 2 |
| D413 50013 | 2 |
| D414 50014 | 3 |
| D415 50015 | 4 |
| D416 50016 | 2 |
| D417 50017 | 3 |
| D418 50018 | 1 |
| D419 50019 | 2 |
| D420 50020 | 3 |
| D421 50021 | 2 |
| D422 50022 | 3 |
| D423 50023 | 3 |
| D424 50024 | 1 |
| D425 50025 | 1 |
| D426 50026 | 3 |
| D427 50027 | 5 |
| D428 50028 | 2 |
| D429 50029 | 1 |
| D430 50030 | 5 |
| D431 50031 | 6 |
| D432 50032 | 1 |
| D433 50033 | 19 |
| D434 50034 | 1 |
| D435 50035 | 8 |
| D436 50036 | 1 |
| D437 50037 | 1 |
| D438 50038 | 1 |
| D439 50039 | 2 |
| D440 50040 | 1 |
| D441 50041 | 2 |
| D442 50042 | 1 |
| D443 50043 | 2 |
| D444 50044 | 19 |
| D445 50045 | 3 |
| D446 50046 | 1 |
| D447 50047 | 3 |
| D448 50048 | 1 |
| D449 50149 | 13 |
Learn about the Class 50
British Rail Class 50 — the "Hoover"
The British Rail Class 50 is a locomotive that arrived to perform a specific, transitional role: hauling high-speed expresses on the West Coast Main Line while electrification stopped at Weaver Junction. Built by English Electric at its Vulcan Foundry, the Class 50 is a diesel-electric locomotive that eventually became the face of the Western Region in the late 1970s and 80s. It is best known by its nickname, "Hoover," a reference to the distinctive sound made by its original dynamic braking cooling fans.
Procured as a fleet of 50 units, they were intended to bridge the gap until the wires reached Scotland. Unlike the bespoke "one-off" icons of the early diesel era, the Class 50 was a sophisticated, high-performance machine leased from English Electric Leasing—a precursor to modern rolling stock leasing models—designed to maintain 100 mph schedules with heavy passenger rakes. For readers moving across Britain's diesel and electric transition, the wider stock index also covers later high-speed power such as the Class 43.
What a Class 50 is
A Class 50 is a Co-Co diesel-electric locomotive featuring a single English Electric 16CSVT engine. Developing 2,700 hp, the engine drives a generator to power six traction motors. Designed for dual-purpose work but focused on express passenger duties, it was equipped with then-advanced electronic control systems (CP7) intended to automate various driver functions and improve adhesion.
In everyday terms: it was the heavy-duty power of the 1960s, built to move long trains at sustained high speeds before the era of multiple units took over.
The West Coast context: bridging the gap to Crewe
The Class 50 was born from a specific operational hole. In the late 1960s, the West Coast Main Line was electrified only as far north as Crewe. To maintain competitive timings to Glasgow, British Rail needed a locomotive that could match the acceleration of electric traction. The Class 50s were the answer, often working in pairs to storm the gradients of Shap and Beattock.
Once electrification was completed to Glasgow in 1974, the fleet became surplus to requirements on the West Coast. They were transferred to the Western Region to replace the aging and "non-standard" hydraulic fleet, eventually becoming synonymous with the lines from London Paddington to Oxford, Bristol, and the West Country.
Manufacturing and refurbishment: Vulcan Foundry to Doncaster
The fleet was built between 1967 and 1968. Following their move to the Western Region, the locomotives faced significant reliability issues due to their complex "as-built" electronics. This led to a major refurbishment programme at Doncaster Works between 1979 and 1983.
During this overhaul, the locomotives were simplified: the troublesome electronic "slow speed" equipment was removed, and the dynamic braking (the source of the "Hoover" noise) was decommissioned. This refurbishment also saw the introduction of the famous Large Logo livery, which cemented the class's status as a fan favourite.
Names and identity: The Warships
In a move to boost public image and continue a Western Region tradition, the class was granted names in the late 1970s. They were named after Royal Navy warships, such as Ark Royal, Warspite, and Valiant. This gave each of the 50 locomotives a distinct identity, fostering a dedicated following among enthusiasts that persists to this day.
Traction and performance: 100 mph capability
Performance
The Class 50 was a "Type 4" locomotive, but its high power-to-weight ratio allowed it to compete with Type 5s. It was geared for a maximum service speed of 100 mph, making it one of the few diesel locomotives of the era capable of such speeds on a daily basis.
Reliability
While powerful, the Class 50 was notoriously temperamental. Even after the Doncaster refurbishments, they required intensive maintenance. Their complexity was a double-edged sword: they were highly capable when working correctly but prone to "throwing a fit" if the intricate electrical cubicles weren't perfectly maintained.
Operational use: From the West Coast to the Waterloo-Exeter line
The Class 50’s career is a tale of two halves:
- 1967–1974: Dominating the northern section of the West Coast Main Line.
- 1974–1994: Serving the Western Region and later the Southern Region’s West of England route from London Waterloo to Exeter.
In their final years, they were the last bastion of locomotive-hauled passenger travel on the grueling gradients of the South Western Main Line, replaced eventually by Class 159 DMUs.
Summary
The British Rail Class 50 was English Electric’s final flourish for the UK domestic market. Introduced in 1967 to solve a temporary electrification gap, it evolved from a sophisticated West Coast workhorse into a charismatic Western Region icon. Known for its 2,700 hp output, naval names, and "Hoover" roar, it represented the peak of 1960s diesel design. Though eventually outclassed by the InterCity 125, the "Fifty" remains one of the most successful preserved classes in the UK, with 18 locomotives surviving today.