50017 Royal Oak Debut ~ GCR Diesel Gala 13/04/2019
The British Rail class 50s were built to haul express passenger trains at 100mph. Built in 1967/8 by English Electric, the locos entered service on the non-electrified section of the west coast Main Line between Crewe and Scotland, and quickly gained the nickname "Hoovers" from enthusiasts due to the distinctive sound of the initial cooling fan arrangements which were later removed during refurbishment.
After completion of electrification from crewe to Glasgow, the locomotives were moved to the south west of England to allow retirement of the remaining diesel hydraulic locomotives then in service. The introduction of the High Speed train in 1976 saw Class 50s employed increasingly on trains between London Waterloo and Exeter st Davids, London Paddington to Hereford, and Worcester to oxford. The class began to be retired in the late 1980s and early 1990s as their services began to be operated by second-generation DMUs.
ln the late 1970s, BR were persuaded to name the class 50s after Royal Navy ships, and 50017 received the name "Royal Oak" in April 1978.
50017 arrived at Great central Railway in February 2019 and makes its first appearance at this event.
A video captures the debut of British Rail Class 50 diesel locomotive 50017 Royal Oak on the Great Central Railway. The footage shows the locomotive at Loughborough, Quorn and Woodhouse, and Rothley. Built in 1967 by English Electric, the Class 50 was originally used for express services and later operated across various regions of England before retirement. The video provides insight into the locomotive's history and its new role on the Great Central Railway.
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