50007
 

Forgive me for asking, but I think 50007 was painted green in the latter BR days....am I right or have I got the wrong one ?

48111

Sir Edward Elgar in GWR Green no less Seen here in Preservation at Swanwick MRC

Seen this loco at Laria shed on many occasions it really looks the part in green.

ccmmick.

Now at the GCR and still in Green.

Best wishes,

John H-T.

Doesnt see much use though much like most Diesil Locos at the GCR and most Heritage Railways Arround.

50007 was on display at crewe Works open day in 1984, resplendent in lined Brunswick green, and with brass GWR-style plates, renamed 'Sir Edward Elgar'. The renaming put a lot of enthusiasts' noses out of joint as I recall - something akin to heresy to rename a pseudo-Warship after a composer! However, I don't think anyone could disagree that it looked superb. Here's a photo of it at Waterloo in 1988, waiting to leave with an Exeter train; pity about the NSE coaches.... :)

Had a superb run behind this loco down Honiton bank I clocked it at 105 mph at one point. Such days sadly missed.

Jack

There are 11 photos of this loco in our very own Railwayforum gallery.:)
http://www.railwayforum.net/gallery/...&searchid=3417

Many people claim 50007 was repainted as part of the GWR 150 celebrations (which was actually 1985), I couldn't say if it was or not, but I do know that 1984 was the 50th anniversary of Sir Edward Elgar's death (1934).

50007 was actually repainted & fitted with brass plates at Laira TMD at the start of 1984, and the renaming ceremony took place at Paddington on 25th February 1984, the honours of unveiling going to Sir Simon Rattle. Apparently, several of the class were going to be treated in this way, and renamed after famous people, but the idea was dropped after adverse press coverage of the 'new' look and name of 50007, especially after the loco being declared a failure (electrical problems) after working to Oxford & back immediately after the renaming ceremony. It LOOKS as if the name WAS chosen especially for the 50th anniversary, but not the GWR 150 - that was a bone of considerable contention amongst WR staff, who cancelled the 150 celebratory open day at Swindon Works in 1985 after it was announced that the Works was to close almost immediately. I wonder who else might have featured on Class 50 nameplates had the scheme been allowed to continue....?? :confused::)