Quote:
Originally Posted by hairyhandedfool
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).
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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....??
