English Electric Class 50s initially were used on the East Coast before it was electrified, they were then displaced to the Western Region and were to be found working from Paddington – Oxford, Paddington – Penzance Expresses, and finally the Waterloo – Exeter services. Final withdrawl of the class came in 1994. The locos were named after Naval ships on the Western region. They had various nicknames “Hoovers” distinctive engine sound, caused by the centrifugal air filters originally fitted and finally Warships. A number of the 50 strong class have been preserved and some are passed for running on the mainline. Two such examples 50031 Hood and 50049 Defiance were to be found working the diesel leg of a railtour on 15th October 2005. The tour 1Z84 : 05:36 Ashford International to Kingswear. The train is seen here approaching Kingswear at Britannia Crossing.
