50007 and 50049 to get new liveries

Not sure Howe (see what I did there?) I feel about this but here we go
http://www.fiftyfund.org.uk/

 

Sorry, but they’ve got it totally wrong. This is how 50007 should look, in all it’s pomp and circumstance:

 

a much derided livery it seems. I liked it.

Presumably these two 50s can't be regarded as Preserved any more, or for the time being maybe?

 

Different ..! Still prefer the original blue/yellow with pre-TOPS numbers and headcode boxes though

 

Agreed! As a 15/16 y/o I saw every single one brand new

 

Blue and Yellow double headed powering up Shap for me.

 

This is what I've had trouble getting my head round, when I was involved with The Fifty Fund, Deltic 9000 Locomotives Limited were derided for hiring out Deltic 22 yet 50031 and 44 were considered 'preserved' at the time. I have no objection to the Fifty Alliance making a few quid (which I'm guessing is what this all boils down to) but has it maybe sold its soul to the highest bidder maybe? As I say I'm not sure about this one.

 

I quite liked the class for some reason. Enough to travel all over the country to photograph them:



Even managed to get some video before their demise:

 

I think it's a good move for both The Fifty Fund and GBRf. A decent, regular income for their other preserved 50s, other than a few running days and galas at the Valley, plus bodywork repairs and a decent paint job. And GBRf get a couple of locos that they have already trained drivers on, and are 100mph capable unlike the rest of their diesel fleet. It's not as if there's a shortage of preserved class 50s!

 

During my time with the Fifty Fund they were only considered to be under power at 80Mph and coasting at 90, there's a flashover risk at 100, apparently this was something Laira did during their last years. I'm not sure they need bodywork attention though, Mr Boden did a decent job with No7 not that long ago.

 

Nice.

 

Jammy so-and-so....

In my spotting days I remember a couple being towed south on what was then the up slow towards Yaxley bridge (lost during electrification) behind a 31 (I think?) along with at least one other loco - this was just after Doncaster took over their overhauls and they were in ex-works condition. My mates and I whooped with joy at this sight!

 

Laira were just trying to make them last until the end! One of the cabs on 50007 has had new platework welded into it - the front end was covered in yellow tape on its move to Eastleigh today.

 

Seriously as someone who has worked on them in the past they are susceptible to flash overs at high speed (I'll consult my notes later) If GBRf sponsors a repaint then all well and good but as I say this dosnt sit very well with me knowing certain members of the 50 alliance knowing their previous stance, and looking at social media there are several others not happy either. One guy I know has already canceled his reservation with Pathfinder for March 23rd, It really is dividing opinion!

 

Another coat of paint will help hold the rust and filler together a bit longer!
Seriously, they look good, any association with a TOC has got to be good news for the continued existence of the beasts. Hope we may see them at the Crewe bash in June.
There are a lot of other examples of 50's around if the livery change isn't to your taste. The black/orange on 50035 took some stomaching for me, but there you go, others loved it.
We saw them all delivered from Vulcan, they used to appear fresh at Crewe works on the Sunday after their release from the foundry.
Best memories I have are through Bolton whilst working the Glasgow/Edinburgh trains, accelerating past the long gone Kearsley Power Station.

 

It's only paint

 

While the 50s emerged from Vulcan Foundry in 67 / 8 with steam still about, it was after the decision to paint all new locos in the uninspiring all over blue.
I must have seen every one within a week of delivery but I did always wonder what they would have looked like in two tone green as applied to the Brush type 4s ( class 47 to the youngsters ).
After many years at the SVR D444 was turned out in two tone green and looked really good as if the loco had been intended to be that way - even though in the purest sense it was unauthentic.

There have been many liveries since the first coats of blue and if these two are regularly operated by GBRF then what's the harm (yes it's only paint) - in any case GBRF have an interesting approach to livery variation with class 66s in BR green (Evening Star)
and BR large logo blue, among others. It could have been worse - it could be the new Freightliner orange colours !

 

Or Colas...

 

and yet the Load Haul livery - despite its aggressiveness - actually suited 50035 very well IMHO

 

Always thought the Porterbrook purple was understated.......

I'll get my coat.