UPDATE: 19 December 2009
Just an update on 50050's last train, I have now found out, it actually worked under its own power on
21st December from Stratford to Wembley Yard, hauling 50002.
While at Wembley, the loco passed into the care of Fragonset Railways.
Thanks to Simon Briggs, who was on board the loco that day for the above information.
UPDATE: 17 December 2009 We had our final working party on 50050 at Yeovil on Sunday 6 December.
Andy Rowland from the 50029/30 group joined us for the day. The day had two main purposes. The loco was drained
and prepared for the winter and the number 2 traction motor blower was repaired, following some rewiring in
the cubical. Thanks to Andy and to the gentleman who loaned us the hydraulic crimpers.
At the South Devon Railway, two new roof hatches have been manufactured. These follow on from the set we had
made earlier this year. Those covered the engine, the two new hatches cover the number 1 end traction motor
blower compartment.
We have also found a supplier of class 50 guttering and an order will be placed after Christmas.
Finally, on Sunday December 20, 2009, It will be 10 years since 50050 hauled its final train. Hauling 50002
from Norwich to Stratford.
UPDATE: 6 November 2009 Congratulations to Harry Schneider and his partner Cindy, on the birth of their daughter Lisa on November 1st
UPDATE: 1 October 2009
We had a joint working party with the 50027 lads at Yeovil on 26/27 September. Saturday was spent with the
locos engine running for virtually the whole day as various tests were carried out.
KV10 output voltage and various potentiometers were checked etc. The vacuum system was also coaxed back to
life. As with any testing, not everything went as we would have hoped and much more testing will need to be
done.
As 50050 had parts swapped when it was broken into, we have to regard everything as suspect. It is
likely to be years not months therefore, before 50050 is fit enough to work again. A fault on number 2
traction motor blower was traced. Some rewiring in the cubical will need to be carried out.
New window rubber is being fitted throughout the loco starting with A side engine room windows.
A replacement traction motor cover has been sourced, thanks to HTRS Limited based at Shackerstone.
Finally thanks to Shackerstone Diesels for the loan of the battery charger, Sam Felce, from Bodmin Diesels,
for supplying the transfers and to Andy Rowland (50029 and 30) for his advice and support.
UPDATE: 28 August 2009
We are looking to replace both air intake grills on 50050. If anybody knows where we can get these
manufactured could you please get in touch via email.
UPDATE: 24 August 2009
The editor of Railways Illustrated has been in touch, keen to set the record straight about a recent report on
50027 and 50050 in RI.
We are pleased to be given the chance to give an update on 50050 and have provided a press release that will
appear soon. Apparently there is a rather nice 1980s era photo to go with the text!
UPDATE: 7 August 2009
Railways Illustrated September Issue - here we go again, 50050 imaginary British tour continues, courtesy
of the vivid imagination of the editor. You may remember a few issues ago, 50050 was heading for Dartmoor,
now apparently it is going 300 miles in the opposite direction to Shackerstone.
50050 is not going to Shackerstone, nor for that matter is 50027. There has not been any advanced negotiation
with Shackerstone whatsoever.
The facts are as follows, we asked 25067's owners if they knew somebody in the south west who did UAT's, in
the course of the chat, he said if we ever needed anywhere to run 50050, how about Shackerstone,
we replied that we would give it some thought, before deciding to turn it down.
That is it, that is the sum nature of the discussions. It is sad that editor has put two and two together
and come up with 50050, it is also worth noting that he never bothered to consult anyone involved with
50050 before publishing his story.
The informal chat with 25067's owner is no different from any other chat we have with preserved railways,
we always give it some thought, then (so far) turn them down.
UPDATE: 31 July 2009
We had another working party on 50050 at Yeovil from 27th to 30th. The main news is the decision to order
two more roof hatches from the South Devon Railway for 50050. These are the two smaller hatches from number
1 end of the loco. The hatches needed replacement and we were delighted at the standard of the larger hatches
we previously bought, so we were pleased to place our second order with the SDR.
50050 has had its borrowed NR28 relay replaced. (see last report below). Other jobs were freeing off siezed
cab window visors and tracing a fault on number 2 traction motor blower. Various items of cab panalling have
been refitted.
Next jobs are to crane parts of the roof off, for shot blasting and repainting. Any tips or hints at roof
removal will be gratefully received. The wood in the cabs needs replacing. If anybody with experience of
this work in either 50s or 37s, would be interested in working for us on a paid basis, could you get in touch.
Of course, volunteer chippies are welcome!
Finally, Andy Coward has written a report on the recent first movement of the loco at Yeovil in RAIL magazine.
This is on sale now.
We are still appealing for photographs of D400 / 50050 see below for details (Update from 14 July)
UPDATE: 14 July 2009
Last week we had another working week on 50050 at Yeovil. The main focus was on the new roof hatches. On
Tuesday, they were collected from the South Devon Railway engineering department. The SDR have done an excellent
job manufacturing the hatches and were a pleasure to deal with. Anybody wanting bespoke fabrication work done,
would do well to choose the SDR.
On Thursday, we were pleased to be able to help West Coast Railway company by loaning parts and people to
enable 37706 to get back to London following its failure with a burnt out coil on ERR relay. Parts were
removed from 50050 and fitted to the 37 at Penn Mill station.
Finally an appeal, We are on the look out for photographs of D400 / 50050 for publication and use by the
group in a fund raising project we are considering. We are looking for previously unpublished photographs,
from the locos construction, BR service and preservation history. For example, photos at Doncaster during
refurbishment, St Leonards depot after purchase for preservation, hauling charters, VSOE and service trains
while operated by the Deltic group or while stabled at various depots around the country. If you could help,
please get in touch by email. Many thanks.
UPDATE: 5 July 2009
On the 24 June 50050 ran under its own power at Yeovil for the first time since Fragonset ran the loco at
Barrow Hill in 2000. After the loco was broken into, we inherited a very poorly KV10 (CU3) unit. Earlier this
year, 'our' KV10 was sent to Noel Craigan in York for overhaul. Later we also sent our spare KV10 to York to
provide parts. Steve and Lester from the class 20 group at Butterley donated technical manuals, which helped
Noel overhaul his first KV10. We would like to thank all three of these gentlemen. They have enabled 50050 to
run again. Also thanks to Nemesis Rail and to Tim Way (D318) and Tony Bevan (47580, 47596) for putting us in
touch with Noel. As usual thanks to the 50027 lads for support and help and to Matt and Brian at Yeovil.
Andy Coward (ELR and Rail magazine) has also played a large part in 50050s restoration and we would like to
thank him.
When it came to take power on 50050, there were a lot less faults that we were expecting. Even the low
fuel fault light works! It came on during testing.
Aside from the KV10, we have changed 50050s brake distributor, M8a and straight air brake valves this year
plus one brake cylinder. A corroded water pipe in the fan compartment has been changed. We have also bought
some spare turbo chargers for the loco.
Now 50050 runs and the nightmare of the KV10 is behind us, we have got to give some thought as to what we do
next. Covered accommodation is something we would like. This is not available at Yeovil however.
Bodywork repairs are urgently needed and will start this year. After that, we will consider where or if, to
operated the loco.
Finally a couple of requests, does anybody have a class 50 drivers side window wiper motor for sale? We also
need a drivers desk lights switch. If anybody can help, please email.
UPDATE: 24 June 2009 50050 Ran under its own power today for the first time since at Barrow hill in 2000 - more to follow later
UPDATE: 03 April 2009 Railways Illustrated, Away From The Rails. May 2009. RI has published a rumour that 50050 may be moving to the Dartmoor Railway. We would like to clarify this. 50050 is staying at Yeovil. There are no plans to move it and Dartmoor really would be too far from home for all of us. We have never had any discussion with Dartmoor. 50050 is still a few years away from being fit to operate anywhere. When it is, we will consider what to do with it then.
UPDATE: 25 March 2009 Sorry for the lack of updates. I must be the only person updating a website that does not even own a computer, this makes regular updates quite difficult. Please bear with us and I will increase the frequency of the updates.
The big news is that our KV10 plus spare KV10 have been sent away for professional repair, we also delivered the voltage regulator for 47488 at the same time, but that is another story.
We were let down by yet another welder, so we are a little behind schedule on the cab side repairs, however rather than do nothing we have switched our attention to other areas. New roof hatches have been ordered from the South Devon Railway Engineering Department and we are currently talking to an engineering company about manufacturing new guttering for both 50050 and 50027.
We have been to Kingsbury scrapyard and bought spares for both locos, we expect to be buying more over the year.
Andy Coward has published another article in Rail for us. No doubt, there will be more as the months progress.
On the 18th March 2009, 50050 was towed up and down at Yeovil to keep the wheel bearings in good order, a photo is below
Many thanks to Nemesis Rail and to Chris Smethan for the photos of 31601 and 50050s Tyseley to Westbury trip.
(C) Copyright D400 Fund